Rochester Cathedral image

Rochester Cathedral

Tourist attraction Historical landmark Church Cathedral

One of the Best Places To Visits in Rochester


Address

Garth House, The Precinct, Rochester ME1 1SX, United Kingdom

Website

www.rochestercathedral.org

Contact

+44 1634 843366

Rating on Google Maps

4.70 (2K reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Sunday: 10 am to 4 pm
  • Monday: (Spring Bank Holiday), 10 am to 4 pm, Hours might differ
  • Tuesday: 10 am to 4 pm
  • Wednesday: 10 am to 4 pm
  • Thursday: 10 am to 4 pm
  • Friday: 10 am to 4 pm
  • Saturday: 10 am to 4 pm

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: cathedral (21) Cathedral (13) beautiful (8) Rochester (7) oldest (6) history (6) amazing (6)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 5/5 e tradecom (. 2 years ago on Google
    England 2nd oldest cathedral. In very good condition. Well worth it to walk around and have a look inside. Free 2 hours parking nearby. We had a lunch near the cathedral in a pub and had a stroll around the cathedral. Recommend to all.
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Irina S. 2 years ago on Google
    Absolutely love this Cathedral! Rochester Cathedral is the second oldest cathedral in England. It was founded in AD 604. The present building was initiated by Bishop Gundulf in 1080. The architecture is Norman, Gothic and Early-English Perpendicular with a fine crypt, medieval wall paintings and a magnificent 15th century chapter room doorway Every time we are in the area, we are popping in there. It is free to enter and so beautiful inside. You can light the candle there. Also, you can learn a lot about the history from the museum, which located on the lower floor there too.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Jane F. 8 months ago on Google
    Love the light show. It was absolutely amazing and made even more spectacular as it was within the cathedral. The event was well organised, and the staff were pleasant and helpful. The cathedral itself is beautiful, one of my favourite places to visit for events.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Drabrah 7 months ago on Google
    An historic site and one of UK's heritage, being the 2nd oldest cathedral in England and built in AD 604 (7yrs after Canterbury Cathedral) It has iconic and ancient buildings, strategically located close to the bank of river Medway and is a beauty to behold. Of note is its history of encouraging hardwork, especially for priests who are made to do 5hrs of physical work daily
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Michael S. 7 months ago on Google
    This is the 2nd oldest Cathedral in the country and so has a lot to offer in relation to it's architecture. Although not very big as far as newer Cathedrals go, there is still a lot to see with the view from one end to the other through the organ pipes amazing. Here there is also the "Table for the nation" which is a truly amazing to see and read the history of. The wood is 5000 years old. A lot of the cathedral is accessible to disabled people, and if you use a wheelchair rather than a scooter like I do, you can explore more than I was able to. The building is extremely old and you can see they have done their best within these confines. The staff there were really helpful, and there is good parking very close by.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Mykey 9 months ago on Google
    Fantastic historical location and perfect locale for a wedding! We were lucky enough to tell the story of the wedding of the Dean's very own daughter and what a fantastic day it was! We can't wait to return next year for another wedding to tell the next story in the chapter of this wonderful family's tapestry! All the best from MykeyDayPhotography!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 cristi c. 10 months ago on Google
    Rochester Cathedral is a World Heritage site and is the second oldest cathedral in England, after Canterbury. It was founded in 604 AD. It is built in a Norman, Gothic style, and it is listed as Grade I. In front of it, there is a beautiful Catalpa Tree that is over 100 years old. As you go inside, you step into another world: an imposing and majestic world filled with music played the Quire (choir) and 'lighted' by the beautiful stained glass. The pipe organ is perfectly calibrated and sounds like an angelic music. There are many relics and tombs and coat of arms around the cathedral, and everything is just fantastic.the cathedral also has a gorgeous backyard. The staff are friendly and welcoming
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Maybell S. 1 year ago on Google
    Rochester Cathedral was founded in 604 AD. Absolutely stunning architecture. And example Heaven on Earth. Holy is our God, working through the hands of men. 😍
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Mary R. 2 years ago on Google
    Visited the Cathedral to see the new art installation 'The Leaves on the Trees'. Steel maple leaves in various stages of 'decay' are laid out on the floor, each with the word Hope stamped on them. Beautiful.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Howard F. 1 year ago on Google
    An amazing place, 2nd oldest in England. Often having different visiting experiences and exhibitions. So full of atmosphere and steeped in history. I visit several times each year.

  • 5/5 A. N. 1 year ago on Google
    Lovely old Cathedral with lots of English history.. they have frequent exhibitions to view.. All for free.. but voluntary donations appreciated. A nice big airy café ...in the basement.

  • 5/5 Leon L. 1 year ago on Google
    This is a very nice cathedral, and unlike some cathedrals it was completely FREE to enter! The people working there were nice and friendly too. The crypt had some fantastic lighting that I have never seen before in a cathedral, and it also had a cafe!

  • 5/5 Kim H. 2 years ago on Google
    Beautiful building that often houses exhibitions and concerts beautiful and tranquil closter garden with ancient remains. Tearoom in the crypt is well worth a visit. Disable friendly and children very welcome.

  • 5/5 Mike B. 1 year ago on Google
    So much to see and do here, and I love that they actually make use of the space rather than leave it empty. Great acoustics in the crypt make even my cat-screech voice sound okay, too.

  • 5/5 Yinnon E. 7 months ago on Google
    A friendly lovely spiritual place. The Romsey singers were doing the singing and they were amazing. The black oak table is sensational.

  • 4/5 Dr Harikrishna N. 9 months ago on Google
    Loved the courtyard of the cathedral, there's a great vibe and silence around it. Very enjoyable. I side the cathedral feels too modernised and has lost the usual churchy feeling. It is a beautiful cathedral with great art works......... Rochester Cathedral, formally the Cathedral Church of Christ and the Blessed Virgin Mary, is an English church of Norman architecture in Rochester, Kent...

  • 5/5 Geoffrey B. 9 months ago on Google
    Beautiful little cathedral with a mix of Romanesque and gothic styles, within easy reach of London on the high speed train. Check to make sure it's not shut for a service before you go (although we just went a bit later in the day to compensate).

  • 5/5 Janet S. 10 months ago on Google
    A delightful day spent exploring the cathedral - an amazing building, inside and out. A lovely café with great choices and to finish the day, a wander around the rose garden.

  • 5/5 Mario de F. 11 months ago on Google
    I had the privilege and pleasure to attend a wedding ceremony at Rochester Cathedral. What an experience to behold! This is an exceptional building with excellent architectural features and rich history.

  • 4/5 Iva R. 1 year ago on Google
    Loved the courtyard of the cathedral, there's a great vibe and silence around it. Very enjoyable. I side the cathedral feels too modernised and has lost the usual churchy feeling. It is a beautiful cathedral with great art works.

  • 5/5 Jill C. 1 year ago on Google
    Wow Stunning Cathedral Amazing Organ Recital Whilst on Holiday came across Their Organ Festival We weren't disappointed It was magical Well organized...everyone was lovely and so Welcoming and this Cathedral is still free to enter...but so worth a donation Worth a visit whilst in the area

  • 5/5 Edgars R. 10 months ago on Google
    Been to a few cathedrals around the world, this one is very beautiful. The anount of details, the beatiful architecture and a nice yard outside next to it. If you in Rochester, would be silly to not go inside atleast for a few minutes to look around


Call +44 1634 843366 Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Accessibility
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible toilet
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible car park
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible entrance

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