Charles Dickens was one of England’s most successful novelists and he was most loved for creating loveable tales like Oliver Twist and A Christmas Carol. Charles Dickens lived in a variety of places, but spend some of his residency in Chatham. If you have ever visited the historic Chatham Dockyard, then you would see the local attraction that celebrates his life and work called 'Dickens World’.

Dickens World originally opened in 2007. But in recent years the attraction has be drastically changed in order to keep guests coming back. From 2013 many attractions were closed which included the ‘Great expectations Boat Ride’ and the ‘4D Film based in Peggotty’s Boathouse’. This was due to a loss of invested money therefore the main attraction was taken over by new management.

I last visited the attraction years ago, so i recently visited again to see how the new concept was put into place. Firstly the pricing has been drastically

changed. (Tickets now cost an average of £7.50 per person.) When you arrive at the main entrance you have to book a 'time slot’ as the attraction now runs hourly guided tours, by different themed Dickens characters.

The tour group size was made up of just under 30 people and we were all guided by a character called Barnaby Rudge. The actor who played Barnaby was throughout enthusiastic, lively and very believable. He knew a lot of Victorian knowledge, explaining to us his lifestyle during the 1800’s. As well as informing the group about the life of Charles Dickens, whilst explaining the high and lows of Charles Dickens childhood.

We also experienced what it would have been like to go to a Victorian School. This part of the tour was mostly based around audience participation and the Victorian teacher had most people in stitches, as most watched their friends and family being publicly humiliated! The audience participation continued as some people were chosen to experience what it would have been like to be locked in a Marshalsea Prison cell. As well as taking part in a famous Victorian illusion called Pepper's Ghost, which was based in the Haunted House.

The tour lasted around 90 minutes and after the tour finished you were encouraged to ask any further questions, visit the themed pub or walk around the courtyard and take as many pictures as you wished.

Overall the new concept is a breath of fresh air as, it is completely different to the old attraction. I can see why they changed the experience as i did personally feel like i learned a lot of new knowledge about the history of Charles Dickens and the Victorian period within England. I also loved the interaction with the themed host as it allows you to freely ask any questions. It’s a shame that some attractions, like the boat ride, have been removed as it was quite depressing to just walk through the empty ride as part of the tour. I think the new concept of the tour is value for money and is a nice local attraction for all of the family.

For more information on the tour visit the Dickens World Website: http://www.dickensworld.co.uk

Holly Palmer - North Kent College