Things to do in Chatham

Discover film location sites from the award-winning TV adaptation of Call the Midwife by Jennifer Worth. Join a guided walking tour of the Chatham Historic Dockyard, led by a costumed guide to bring the world of a midwife to life! Get a sneak peak behind the scenes as you hear fascinating anecdotes about the filming of the show. Designed to represent the impoverished East End of London in the 1950s and 60s, the dockyards also have a fascinating history of their own. Walk along streets that were used to represent the slums of Poplar Dock, and walk in the footsteps of some of Miranda Hart and Jenny Agutter's most memorable scenes. Enjoy full access to Chatham Historic Dockyard throughout the day, and discover other memorable exhibits, including historic warships and an old Victorian rope factory.

Step into the heart of Chatham’s legendary ship-building heritage and return to the ‘Age of Sail’, when the Dockyard built mighty ships that won command of the world’s oceans. A trip to The Historic Dockyard Chatham - one of the top maritime heritage spots in Britain - promises an exciting adventure. Hop aboard the three historic warships - peer through the periscope of a Cold War Submarine, take charge on the bridge of a Second World War Destroyer, and ring the ship's bell on the deck of a Victorian Sloop. Don't miss the fantastic Command of the Oceans interactive exhibit where you can discover the hidden secrets of the ancient ship below the floor. Hear the crashing waves as you wander through the UK's biggest collection of RNLI Historic Lifeboats and explore the treasure trove that is No. 1 Smithery, showcasing incredible collections from Royal Museums Greenwich and Imperial War Museums. Experience life in a Victorian dockyard firsthand and follow in the footsteps of the skilled ropemakers who have been crafting rope for Britain's ships on the quarter-mile-long ropery since 1618. The dockyard used to be a secretive and secure place for generations - now it's open and ready for you to explore.

See Charles Dickens hometown through the eyes of a Victorian - his estranged wife; a renowned botanical illustrator; a local inventor; Or visit Regency Rochester in company with a French Napoleonic officer, or a female theatrical entrepreneur Mrs Sarah Baker - the Georgian 'Governess General of Kentish Theatre', to discover the links with Queen Charlotte and Jane Austen. The history of Rochester stretches back over 1000 years. Choose which period you want to see the old city in, through the eyes of a character from that time, pointing out the visible and invisible remains of the influence of that time on modern Medway. The walking tour takes in close up views of the castle and cathedral and illuminates 22 sites, 4 city gates and many hidden delights in ways which only a time traveller can discover! Start your tour on corporation street, opposite the Rochester station main exit, by the coach bays, to enter the High Street via a discreet entrance via the French Hospital. Discover tales of pilgrims, refugees, agitators, soldiers, sailors and prisoners from around the world, seeking release and sanctuary, with a new life in the historic streets of Rochester. Gain an understanding of the place that directly inspired the great works of Charles Dickens and Rochester's part in world events. Along the way, learn about the evolution of a cathedral city through time, built on wealth from the river and the dockyard at Chatham. See Almshouses, Dean's Gate, Rochester Cathedral, the church of St. Nicholas, Jasper's Gate, Two Post Alley, the George Vaults, the Guildhall, The Bull Hotel, the Royal Crown, Rochester Bridge Trust, Castle Gardens, Rochester Castle, Baker's Walk, Satis House, Longley House, Boley Hill, Minor Canons Row, The Vines, Restoration House, the memorial to the last known sighting of Dickens, Eastgate House, the Swiss Chalet and the Six Poor Travellers. Tours last 90 minutes. Route can be amended for those with mobility issues. Also available in French.

Take a guided walking tour of Rochester, the city that inspired Charles Dickens, and see the town through the eyes of a character from a different time period. Choose from a variety of characters, including Charles Dickens' estranged wife, a Napoleonic officer, and more. Start your tour on Corporation Street, opposite the Rochester station main exit, by the coach bays. Enter the High Street via a discreet entrance via the French Hospital. Discover tales of pilgrims, refugees, agitators, soldiers, sailors, and prisoners from around the world, seeking release and sanctuary, with a new life in the historic streets of Rochester. Gain an understanding of the place that directly inspired the great works of Charles Dickens and Rochester's part in world events. Along the way, learn about the evolution of a cathedral city through time, built on wealth from the river and the dockyard at Chatham. See Almshouses, Dean's Gate, Rochester Cathedral, the church of St. Nicholas, Jasper's Gate, Two Post Alley, the George Vaults, the Guildhall, The Bull Hotel, the Royal Crown, Rochester Bridge Trust, Castle Gardens, Rochester Castle, Baker's Walk, Satis House, Longley House, Boley Hill, Minor Canons Row, The Vines, Restoration House, the memorial to the last known sighting of Dickens, Eastgate House, the Swiss Chalet, and the Six Poor Travellers. Choose which period you want to see the old city in, through the eyes of a character from that time, pointing out the visible and invisible remains of the influence of that time on modern Medway. The walking tour takes in close-up views of the castle and cathedral and illuminates 22 sites, 4 city gates, and many hidden delights in ways which only a time traveler can discover.