Latest Visitor News & Updates
Latest visitor news
Gaia Opens at Rochester Cathedral
Published 25th May 2022
Luke Jerram's new exhibition Gaia has just opened at Rochester Cathedral yesterday. As the personification of Earth, Gaia is a three dimensional replication of our Earth. A specially made surround sound composition by BAFTA award winning Composer Dan Jones is played alongside the sculpture.
Platinum Jubilee Press Release
Published 19th May 2022
Be part of a national lighting of beacons, watch live coverage of the royal celebrations from Rochester Castle Gardens, see a rare spectacle of one hundred boats sailing up the River Medway and take part in one of the many family activities happening across Medway, including a Corgi treasure trail and bunting making workshops.
See our detailed guide to everything that’s happening in Medway for the Platinum Jubilee.
Gordon Newton- Founder of Sweeps Festival talks about its origins and what we can expect this year.
Published 26th April 2022
The founder of Sweeps festival answers some questions about this iconic festival that he established more than 40 years ago. He also tells us about what we can expect for this year's celebrations which is less than a week away!
The Leaves of The Trees by Peter Walker is now open
Published 26th April 2022
Rochester Cathedral has opened its new temporary exhibition as a reflective memorial to all those who lost their lives in the Coronavirus Pandemic. Peter Walker is a renowned sculptor and artist and has created 5000 metal leaves with the word hope inscribed on them to create a simple, yet emotional piece of art which allows us to reflect on the last two years. Visit Rochester Cathedral today to see this moving piece of art. The exhibition shall run from the 24th of April until the 22nd of May.
Gamers rejoice, Medway's Gaming Convention is returning for 2022
Last years Rapture Gaming Festival setup
Medway Gaming and Creative Festival returns for 2022
Published 15th March 2022
After last year's majorly successful Rapture gaming convention, we are pleased to announce the return of this gaming festival. With plenty of different activities, games and technology to try for gamers of all experience levels. There will be special guests, competitions, gaming experiences, exhibits and even a cosplay masquerade.
This year there will be lots of different events to commemorate the Queen's Platinum Jubilee
Platinum Jubilee Celebrations
Published 7th March 2022
This year marks the Queen's 70th year on the Throne. This is a momentous milestone which has never been celebrated before in the UK. To celebrate this important and historic moment, Medway Council has recently announced its plans and activities to commemorate the Queen's Platinum Jubilee. Various activities will be taking place across Medway, from Street Parties to a full-fledged River Pageant. Even some of Medway’s annual events will have a Jubilee twist like the English Festival and Sweeps Festival.
Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cornwall at Rochester's Guildhall Museum
Royal visitors to Medway's tourist attractions
Published 2 February 2022
Their Royal Highnesses The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall received a warm welcome at two Medway tourist attractions today.
Her Royal Highness visited Rochester to open a new permanent exhibition, The Making of Mr Dickens, at The Guildhall Museum whilst His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales visited the Historic Dockyard Chatham.
Touring the new exhibition, which opens to the public on Tuesday, 8 February, Her Royal Highness learned about the relatively-unknown side of Dickens’ life including his happy and adventurous childhood in Chatham, the sad days spent living hand to mouth in London, and his return to Higham, near Rochester, from Dr Jeremy Clarke, the council’s Heritage Education Officer and Dickens expert.
Her Royal Highness was greeted by characters in Victorian costume from The Rochester and Chatham Dickens Fellowship and joined by Year 5 pupils from St Margaret's at Troy Town C of E Primary School who were learning about Dickens.
The schoolchildren were inspired by a reading of Great Expectations by Her Royal Highness and Gerald Dickens, Charles Dickens’ great, great grandson.
His Royal Highness is patron of the Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust (CHDT) and was shown the new Diving Deep: HMS Invincible 1744 display – the dockyard's temporary exhibition for 2022. Her Royal Highness also met members of the Medway Aircraft Preservation Society.
Luke Jerram's Gaia will now be at Rochester Cathedral from 24 May-12 June 2022
Gaia at Rochester Cathedral postponed until May
Published 14 January 2022
Luke Jerram's Gaia will now be coming to Rochester Cathedral in May 2022.
The new stretch of the England Coast Path at Grain
Images courtesy of Birdwise North Kent
Opening of a new stretch of the England Coast Path
Published 12 January 2022
A new stretch of the England Coast Path has been officially opened between Grain, in Medway, and London by Natural England.
The nearly 50-mile route forms a continuous walking trail on the south bank of the Thames to the coast at Grain on the Hoo Peninsula.
This new trail covers a wealth of unique environments. As you set off from Grain you can enjoy views across to Sheerness on the Isle of Sheppey, to Southend-on-Sea, and the confluence of the Medway and Thames as you stroll along the wild reaches of the Thames Estuary. The estuary marshes and mudflats support of a wealth of wildlife of national and international importance.
Cllr Phil Filmer, Medway Council’s Portfolio Holder for Frontline Services, said: "Medway is proud to have two National Trails in our area including the England Coast Path, which is the longest, continuous, coastal trail in the world. Medway is also home to the Thames Path extension from Greenwich to Grain, making this trail a ‘Source to Sea’ walking route.
"We are delighted to have been part of this historic project that gives people even more opportunities to connect with nature and explore news pathways and views. As well as giving Medway residents access to new trails, we look forward to welcoming new visitors to Medway where they can enjoy 1,900 hectares of rich and varied greenspaces."
Ninja Warrior UK has opened at Chatham Dockside
Ninja Warriors flock to Chatham
Published 4 January 2022
Adrenaline seekers have jumped at the chance to test themselves on Medway's latest attraction.
The indoor obstacle challenge that has taken the nation by storm on our TV screens has come to life at Dockside, Chatham
The new Ninja Warrior indoor obstacle and assault course has opened on the former Dickens World site and is already proving a real hit.
Former international footballer and presenter of the ITV show Chris Kamara was there for the official opening.
The adventure park is suitable for both adults and children aged 5+). Children under 12 need an adult on site and those aged 12-16 must have a waiver signed by a parent or guardian.
