Guildhall Museum, Rochester
Museum in a 1687 civic building in Rochester telling the story of Medway, with a Dickens gallery, a prison hulk reconstruction and the ornate Guildhall Chamber.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Guildhall in Rochester High Street was built in 1687 as a courthouse and council chamber for the city. It is a Grade I listed building and counts among the finest civic buildings of the 17th century in Kent. Its richly decorated main chamber, with painted plaster ceilings and large portraits of local figures, appears in Charles Dickens's novel Great Expectations.
The museum was founded in 1897 to mark Queen Victoria's diamond jubilee. It was first housed in Eastgate House further along the High Street and moved into the Guildhall in 1979. The collections follow the history of the Medway area from its Roman origins to the present day. About 20,000 objects can be searched online, and items that are not on display can be viewed by appointment.
The displays include a full-size reconstruction of part of a 19th-century prison hulk, a model of Rochester Castle under siege in 1215, civic silver, finds from the Roman villa at Darenth and a very complete set of 18th-century cabinet maker's tools. A permanent gallery, The Making of Mr Dickens, follows the writer from his childhood years in the Medway towns to his worldwide fame. A multimedia guide included in the ticket helps visitors who cannot reach every floor to see the displays on screen.
Highlights
- Ornate 17th-century Guildhall Chamber that features in Great Expectations
- Full-size reconstruction of a 19th-century prison hulk over three levels
- The Making of Mr Dickens permanent gallery
- 200,000-year-old hand axe that visitors may touch
- Seaton tool chest and cabinet maker's tools from the 18th century
- Model of Rochester Castle under siege
Permanent exhibitions
- The Making of Mr Dickens – A permanent gallery that follows Charles Dickens from his childhood in the Medway towns to his fame as a writer.
- The Incredible Hulks – A reconstruction over three levels of part of a 19th-century prison hulk moored on the River Medway.
- Medway timeline galleries – Galleries that follow the history of Medway from Roman times to the present, with civic silver, paintings and local finds.
- Founded
- 1897
- Operated by
- Medway Council
Admission & discounts
| Adults | £5 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | £4.50Students and visitors aged over 65 |
| Children & teens | £1.10 |
| Seniors | £4.50Visitors aged over 65. |
| Students & apprentices | £4.50 |
| Families | £12Annual family pass for 2 adults and 2 children: pay £12 on the first visit, after which the whole family can visit free for a year. |
| Annual family pass (2 adults and 2 children) | £12Free return visits for twelve months after the first paid visit. |
The multimedia guide is included in the admission price. Prices apply from 1 April 2026.
Accessibility
- Partially wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: not available
- Accessible restroom: not available
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The Grade I listed building has many stairs and level changes, and no lift can be installed, so access is restricted for visitors with mobility difficulties in most of the building. Wheelchair users can reach the High Street entrance, the river-themed introductory gallery, the sales point and the lower hulks deck. The multimedia guide shows the other displays on screen. There is an induction loop, object handling sessions for visitors with mobility or visual impairments, and large-print text in the refurbished galleries. The museum has no accessible toilet; the nearest step-free public toilets are on Northgate, and the nearest Changing Places toilet is at Rochester Community Hub, about 0.3 miles away. Assistance dogs are welcome; other dogs are not allowed.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Family ticket | £12 · Annual family pass for 2 adults and 2 children: pay £12 on the first visit, after which the whole family can visit free for a year. |
|---|
- Family tours & workshops
- Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
- Hands-on stations
- Baby changing facilities
The museum runs an education programme and activities for children of all ages, including seasonal trails and craft sessions in the school holidays. Visitors can step aboard the prison hulk reconstruction and touch an ancient hand axe. An annual family pass for two adults and two children is available. Toilets with baby changing are available.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Rochester railway station
The museum is at the river end of Rochester High Street, a short walk from Rochester and Strood railway stations. Local bus routes are listed on Medway Council's website.
By car
The nearest car parks are Cathedral Rochester Car Park and Corporation Street Car Park, both short stay.
There is no car park at the museum.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Museum shop
Sales point at the entrance. Pram and pushchair storage is available, and hand sanitiser stations are provided at the entrance.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
- Weddings / ceremonies
The Guildhall Chamber is licensed for weddings and civil ceremonies.
Plan your visit
| Audio guide | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | A self-guided multimedia guide with videos, games and talking portraits is included with admission. Group visits must be booked in advance; the museum asks for the date, group size, age range and arrival time. Booked learning sessions for schools and community groups use objects from the collection, and an outreach service visits schools in Medway. |
