The Vines Gardens

The Vines Gardens is a small park with a rich cultural history. With an impressive avenue of mature London Plane trees, bordering a central path known as the Broad Walk the park is a shady and tranquil spot in the centre of Rochester. The Grade II listed gardens were used by monks in the medieval times to cultivate vines and there are interpretation panels within the park with further information about the park’s origins. The park has a number of bat, bird and bee boxes, and the mature shrubberies and colourful herbaceous planting supports other wildlife. Just next to the gardens is Restoration House; the house takes its name from the stay of King Charles II on the eve of the Restoration. It is also reputed to be the inspiration for Satis House, the home of Miss Havisham, in Charles Dickens’ Great Expectations. For further information about Restoration House visit http://www.restorationhouse.co.uk/