Rochester is only just down the road and there’s tonnes going on in the historic town before the year’s out. We’ve unearthed 10 things you need to see...

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Picture: Faversham Town Council

‘Magna Carta Rediscovered’ at Rochester Cathedral from October 10 to December 6

Two of Britain’s rarest documents have been brought together for the first and perhaps only time to go on display in the highly-acclaimed ‘Magna Carta Rediscovered’ exhibition in Rochester Cathedral.

The first is Faversham’s rare and valuable 1300 Magna Carta with King Edward I’s seal still attached. It is it is one of just a handful of the last reissue of the document.

The exhibition marks the 800th anniversary of the sealing of Magna Carta by King John in 1215.

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‘Textus Roffensis’ at Rochester Cathedral from October 10 to December 6

Taking pride of place alongside Faversham’s Magna Carta in the exhibition is Textus Roffensis, the ‘grandfather’ of Magna Carta itself, compiled in Rochester and dating back to the 1120s. It is described as one of the most important documents in English history, contains the earliest record of the English language and the first recorded English laws.

The Cathedral itself is rich in history and there’s lots to explore – musician Jools Holland leads the audio tour.

Magna Carta Rediscovered, in Rochester Cathedral’s Lady Chapel, is open 10am-4pm Monday to Saturday and 12-4pm on Sunday from 10 October to 6 December 2015. Admission is free. 

Please note that these opening times are subject to special services so check the Rochester Cathedral website for full details when planning your visit: www.rochestercathedral.org

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Picture: David Robinson Photography

Siege: The Story is Told at Rochester Castle on October 24

Rochester Castle is one of the best preserved and finest examples of Norman architecture in England and it has a chequered history. To commemorate the great siege of Rochester Castle 800 years ago, the event will be retold right where it happened using live action, special effects and film projection. Performamces start at 5.30pm and admission is free. Go to visitmedway.org

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Picture: Medway Council

Siege 1215 at Guildhall Museum until January 10

The Guildhall, built in 1687, is one of the finest civic buildings in Kent and is now home to the Guildhall Museum, featuring more than 250,000 years of local history. The interactive Siege 1215 exhibition is about the events leading up to and during the siege.

Permanent exhibits include a reconstruction of a Medway prison hulk of the Napoleonic period and the Dickens' Discovery Rooms where there’s lots of information about the life and works of Charles Dickens for whom Rochester meant so much.

Rochester Christmas Market from November 28 to 29, December 5 to 6 and December 11 to 13

This popular Christmas Market can once again be found in the run up to Christmas in the picturesque gardens of Rochester Castle.

Soak up some Christmas atmosphere and enjoy a hog roast, mulled wine, hot chocolate and roasted chestnuts as you browse the wide range of stalls for those last minute gifts and stocking fillers.

Dickensian Christmas 2015 on December 5 and 6

Rochester’s regular Victorian Christmas festivities are always a treat, with shopping stalls, lamp-lit parades, Father Christmas, Dickensian characters, an open air carol concert, street performers and even guaranteed snowfall.

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Picture: Medway Council

The Dickens Country Experience, weekends from November 7 to December 20

Join Elijah Puddlephat – Medway’s second most famous novelist - and his nemesis, Mr Charles Dickens on an exciting adventure back in time and a tour of Rochester, Cobham, Cooling, Cobham  Hall and Dickens’ last home at Gad’s Hill Place in Higham. Tours depart from the Guildhall Museum at 10.30am and 2pm every weekend day from November 7 to December 20, except during Dickensian Christmas where there is just one tour at 1pm.

Horse and Carriage Rides, weekends from November 7 to December 20

Immerse yourself in the life and times of Victorian England by taking a horse and carriage ride through the same streets as Dickens once did. More info at visitmedway.org

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Picture by Gary Knight

Historic High Street

Rochester is unique for the absence of the usual high street names. Instead there are many little independent shops to explore including fashion boutiques, antiques and art galleries, vintage shops and bric-a-brac and curio emporia stretching from one end to the other. It is also home to the country’s largest second hand bookshop.

The Rochester Flea, Rochester’s monthly flea market, is held at the Gordon House Hotel in the High Street on the last Saturday of the month and runs from 11am to 4pm. There’s vintage bric-à-brac and hand-made art and crafts, plus delicious cakes, entry is free and there is often music too: therochesterflea.com

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Picture by Medway Council

Huguenot Museum

The Huguenot Museum is the first and only museum of Huguenot history in Britain.

It tells an important story of Britain’s first refugees, the crafts, trades and skills they brought with them and the impact their contribution has had on the development of our country. Opened in 2015 the museum is located on the upper floors of the Visitor Information Centre in the High Street. Go to huguenotmuseum.org