November 2021
Latest visitor news from November 2021
Dickensian Christmas listed among nation's top festive family days out.
Published 4 November
Rochester's Christmas Market and the Dickensian Christmas Festival have been listed as one of the best family-friendly Christmas days out by The Times.
The national newspaper said: "Christmas and Charles Dickens go together like turkey and stuffing, so you’re guaranteed an extra festive skip in your step if you head to Rochester and its Dickens-themed celebrations."
No arguments from us! Read the full article
Christmas at Medway's heritage sites and country parks
Published 25 November 2021
Celebrate the festive season at Medway’s heritage attractions and country parks this Christmas.
Find out when Christmas trees first started appearing in homes and why people had yule logs in medieval winters at a celebration of Christmas past at Eastgate House. The Elizabethan house will take visitors back in time to discover how Christmas traditions have changed throughout the centuries from Wednesday, 1 December to Sunday, 9 January between 10am and 5pm.
Find out when Christmas trees first started appearing in homes and why people had yule logs in medieval winters at a celebration of Christmas past at Eastgate House. The Elizabethan house will take visitors back in time to discover how Christmas traditions have changed throughout the centuries from Wednesday, 1 December to Sunday, 9 January.
Medway's other heritage attractions are also getting in on the action, with a Santa's Elf trail at the Guildhall Museum and Mince Pie Trail at Rochester Castle. Find out more.
Visitors are also encouraged to celebrate Christmas at Medway’s country parks this winter. Capstone Farm Country Park and Riverside Country Park have a variety of festive celebrations on offer this December, including wreath and decoration-making workshops and a Winter Wonderland attraction. Find out more.
Celebrating Christmas in Medway
Published 15 November 2021
Thousands of people are expected to get into the festive spirit at Medway’s fantastic Christmas events this winter.
The festive season will begin with Christmas lights switching on across Medway between Friday, 19 November and Friday, 3 December. Family friendly activities, including visits from children’s characters such as the Gruffalo, the Snowman, Peter Rabbit and Bing and Flop will begin at 3.45pm. There will also be entertainment from kmfm and performances from local entertainers.
The Rochester Christmas Market will return to the picturesque Rochester Castle Gardens from Saturday, 27 November, where visitors will find unusual stocking fillers, unique gifts and mulled wine. There will be fun for all the family including live performances, a funfair and a Bavarian food village.
Residents will be treated to a range of Victorian delights at the Dickensian Christmas Festival in Rochester on Saturday and Sunday, 4 and 5 December. There will be costumed characters from Charles Dickens’ famous works, street entertainment and open-air carol concerts. Residents are also invited to dress up in their finest Victorian or Dickensian outfits at the parades, which will take place from 12pm and 4.45pm along Rochester High Street. If you need help finding an outfit, a Dickens costume sale is taking place at Rochester Corn Exchange on Saturday, 20 November between 10am and 3pm.
We are also encouraging residents to shop local this Christmas to support local businesses with the help of free parking in all council-owned car parks from Thursday, 16 to Sunday, 19 December 2021 (inclusive).
