Rochester Community Trail
The Rochester Greenspaces Trail follows a route from the heart of Rochester, southwards through Rochester to Borstal.
Rochester has exceptionally rich heritage. Rochester Cathedral and Castle are nationally important, with many other historic buildings and notable figures associated with the area. However, the layers of Rochester’s heritage extend beyond the well-known centre.
There is a legacy of a defensive heritage, with forts located on hill tops overlooking the river. There is pioneering industry, including the Short Brothers seaplane factory.
The River Medway was once a bustling location of cement works, salting’s, quarries and boat building, forming part of the cultural heritage of Medway. This industry has long gone, but nature is making its home, for example at Baty’s Marsh Local Nature Reserve, one of the few remaining salt marshes in the urban Medway estuary.
As well linking this heritage, the trail passes through the many greenspace sites of Rochester. These are the ‘green heart’ of Rochester and each has a different character. Four of these greenspaces have active Friends groups which are run by volunteers.
You can also explore Rochester with a local walking group. For more information about any local groups, you can visit the Medway Health Walks Location list.
Accessibility:
The southern area of Rochester is on higher ground than the centre of Rochester and the River Medway. This means that there are some hills on the route.
The route mainly follows surfaced paths.
The path through Watts Meadow may get muddy in the winter.
There are no steps on the route.
There are benches around the route.
Parking
There is free parking at Priestfields Recreation Area.
There are 13 chargeable car parks in Rochester. The closest car parks to the route are:
- Boley Hill – Short Stay up to 5 hours.
No disabled spaces. ME1 1SN - Union Street – long stay up to 18 hours.
No disabled spaces. ME1 1XS - There is also metered parking along
The Esplanade. - Disabled parking spaces
The Kings Head car park is a Blue Badge
holder only car park with six disabled
spaces. Epaul Lane ME1 1SN. - The Cathedral short stay car park also
has disabled spaces. Northgate ME1 1LX
