Rochester Dickens Festival

ROCHESTER DICKENS FESTIVAL AND CHRISTMAS MARKET

EXPLORE THE HISTORIC TOWN AND CASTLE.

ENJOY PARADES AND VICTORIAN DELIGHTS.

MEET DICKENS CHARACTERS.

Dates

Sunday 4th December

Highlights

Rochester, on the Medway River in Kent, is a town full of character, and the place where the much-loved Victorian author Charles Dickens was born and died. In it's atmospheric streets, you can visit some locations from the novels, including Six Poor Traveller's House and Miss Haversham's 'home' Restoration House. Rochester is also home to a stately castle, and England's second oldest cathedral, built in 604. In December each year, the much anticipated Dickens Festival arrives.

Packed with shopping stalls, Rochester becomes a feast of Victorian delights. There are lamp-lit parades, carols to be sung, Father Christmas to be met and even a guaranteed snowfall, framed by Rochester’s fairytale cathedral and castle. You’ll also see some familiar, fabled characters from Dickens’ much-loved stories.

Highlights include the Seven Poor Travellers Procession, the Grand Parade, a candlelit procession, the open air carol concert, and roaming street performers.

Departure/Drop off point

Option 1) Tower Hill Coach Park

Look for the sign-posted pedestrian entrance on Petty Wales (painted yellow, underneath Wagamama) take the steps on the right and wait in front of the coach bays.

Option 2) Hall Place Car Park, Hall Place, Bourne Rd, Bexley DA5 1PQ

Wait by the coach bays at the far side of the car park.

Departure time

9.30am / 10.15am

Return time*

7.15pm / 8.00pm

Schedule*

09.30 – Depart Tower Hill

10.15 – Depart Hall Place

11.00 – Arrive Rochester at coach drop-off point

18.30 – Depart Rochester

19.15 – Arrive Hall Place

20.00 – Arrive Tower Hill

Included

Return coach travel from London

Not included

Tickets to attractions, food & drink, gratuities

*Timings are approximate and the schedule is subject to change when required. Please check your booking confirmation for any changes to departure time. Your tour guide will confirm times to be back at the coach at each stop, the schedule above is a guideline only. See our website for full terms & conditions.