
What is recorded here
Rochester Castle has guarded the River Medway since William the Conqueror gave it to Bishop Odo after the Norman Conquest. It resisted King John during the First Barons' War, held out against Simon de Montfort in 1264, and was ransacked during the Peasants' Revolt of 1381. Its massive keep still rises beside the cathedral, a ruined monument to repeated defiance on one of England's most contested river crossings.
The National Heritage List for England records Rochester Castle as a scheduled monument. The saved point comes from the centre supplied by the official record. Listing does not by itself mean that the public may enter the place.
Rochester Castle was built by the de Clare family in the 11th century and later held by the Crown, playing a key role in the defense of southeastern England. It is important due to its historical association with the Barons' Wars and its impressive surviving keep, one of the best-preserved in England.
The historic-place record does not grant public access. Check current conditions and ownership before entering land or a building.
Places near here
KeepRuins · 49 yd
Rochester CastleListed building · 50 yd
Statue of Bishop JohnMonument or public art · 101 yd
Bridge ChapelScheduled monument · 161 yd
Guildhall MuseumMuseum · 174 yd
Welcome to Historic RochesterVisitor information · 215 yd
Site of former Fire Station, High Street, RochesterArchaeological place · 262 yd
Rochester city wallScheduled monument · 326 yd
Millennium Milepost Strood StationVisitor information · 666 yd
Watts MeadowNature reserve · 1470 yd
Victoria Gardens War MemorialMemorial · 1593 yd
Caveyard Cavern, Fort AmherstCave or cavern · 1.1 miOther information
Photo: Bill Henderson · CC BY-SA 2.0