Chatham Memorial Synagogue Heritage Open Day

Chatham Memorial Synagogue, 366 High Street, Rochester, Kent, ME1 1DJ

Designed by H.H. Collins of London, this Byzantine-style synagogue was financed by local businessman Simon Magnus in memory of his son, replacing…

Designed by H.H. Collins of London, this Byzantine-style synagogue was financed by local businessman Simon Magnus in memory of his son, replacing an 18th century wooden structure. Situated near the border with Chatham, the synagogue officially opened in June 1870.

The synagogue is a Grade 2* listed building. It is the only synagogue in the country with an attached cemetery.

Opening Times

• Sunday 9 September: 1100-1500

Booking Details

No booking required

Access Information

Please note, there is no disabled access to the building.

Additional information

There is a charity concert at 16:00. Please refer to the synagogue's website for further details.

Directions

The synagogue is approximately 10 minutes walk from Chatham railway station, and about 15-20 minutes walk from Rochester railway station. For nearby parking, check http://en.parkopedia.co.uk/

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Manor Farm Barn

Parsonage Lane, Frindsbury, Rochester, Kent, ME2 4UT

The Manor Farm Barn at Frindsbury is an exceptionally fine example of an early medieval oak frame. The building is Grade I listed and of…

The Manor Farm Barn at Frindsbury is an exceptionally fine example of an early medieval oak frame. The building is Grade I listed and of exceptional significance. Following a tragic fire the barn is now subject to proposals for sensitive repair. Free information leaflets are available and guides will be on hand to answer visitors questions.

Opening Times

• Thursday 6 September: 1030-1600
• Friday 7 September: 1030-1600
• Saturday 8 September: 1030-1600
• Sunday 9 September: 1030-1600

Booking Details

No booking required

Access Information

The barn is a short distance from Parsonage Lane across a short stretch of grassland. Access for wheelchairs or buggies may be difficult, dependent upon prevailing weather conditions. The floor inside of the barn is uneven and care should be taken when visiting accordingly. Children are most welcome but must remain under the supervision of a responsible adult.

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Quaker Meeting House

Northgate, Rochester, Kent, ME1 1LS

Find out about the Society of Friends, colloquially known as Quakers (a nickname when they began in the 17th century). Quakers will be present to…

Find out about the Society of Friends, colloquially known as Quakers (a nickname when they began in the 17th century). Quakers will be present to talk about their beliefs, which do not rely on a formal creed, but are based on simplicity. Pacifism and inner revelation are longstanding Quaker beliefs.

Visitors are always welcome at Quaker Meetings for Worship, at which people sit in silence until the spirit moves someone to speak. A leaflet is available to go into more detail about attending a Meeting for Worship.

Quakers welcome children at all their meetings as appropriate. This certainly applies to Heritage Open Day, though no special play sessions are envisaged at the moment.

Opening Times

• Sunday 9 September: 1300-1700

Booking Details

No booking required

Additional information

Max 8 people per tour/session. Tea, coffee, biscuits and cake are available, but nothing more substantial.

Directions

The Friends (Quaker) Meeting House is at the corner of Northgate, which it faces, and Corporation Street, with a car park behind. It is on the left of Corporation Street, behind a high brick wall, coming from Rochester Street and going on to Rochester Bridge. There is a walled garden in front of the Meeting House, with a number of benches for people to sit on if they wish.

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St James Church

St James Church, High Street, Isle of Grain, Rochester, Kent, ME3 0BS

Church will be open to view Members of community available to answer questions Power Point presentation showing village life pictures and…

Church will be open to view
Members of community available to answer questions
Power Point presentation showing village life pictures and words
Refreshments available
Please note no toilet facilities but Portaloo available

Opening Times

• Friday 7 September: 1000-1600
• Saturday 8 September: 1000-1600
• Sunday 9 September: 1300-1700

Booking Details

No booking required

Access Information

Mobile ramps in place so most areas can be accessed Path to church is uphill so wheelchair users may need some assistance

Additional information

We are a way off the beaten track but well worth the visit as some lovely walks open along foreshore when not visiting Church

Directions

A228 to B2001 Drive through industrial area Enter village and turn left opposite fire station and follow road - past school and church ahead. Car parking for 3 and public car park further on. Please note 2M height barriers in place at public car park.

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St Margaret’s Church, High Halstow

St Margarets' Church, 2 Cooling Road, High Halstow, Rochester, Kent, ME3 8SA

St Margaret's is a typical simple village church with bell tower and churchyard (earliest grave from 1505) sited on the highest point of the Hoo…

St Margaret's is a typical simple village church with bell tower and churchyard (earliest grave from 1505) sited on the highest point of the Hoo Peninsula, developed from a Saxon hermit abode which itself replaced a pagan religious site. The church is recorded in the Domesday Book and Textus Roffensis. Original Saxon name translates as High Halstow, meaning Holy Place, around which the village grew. With its columns, windows, old side chapels, organ and ring of six bells (dating to King Charles 2nd.) The church illustrates architectural styles from pre-reformation to present bible based Anglican worship. The plain Norman font and massive ancient oak church doors with Saxon horsehead door pull being examples. Available to visitors will be an explanation of the Christian belief, liturgy and rituals as practised in the church together with examples of the vestments worn. The often ancient names of various parts of the building and styles of architecture identified.

Opening Times

• Thursday 6 September: Only on request
• Friday 7 September: 1000-1300 & 1400-1730
• Saturday 8 September: 1000-1700
• Sunday 9 September: Only on request

Booking Details

No booking required

Access Information

Parking in the Rectory adjacent to site. Public toilets 150 yards away.

Additional information

Max 40 people per tour/session. St. Margarets practices the Anglican Church of England faith. Services on Sunday 11th are at 8am and at 9.30am. Non Christians are welcome to attend and observe. Refreshments available at Red Dog public house adjacent to the church.

Directions

Opposite Dux Court Road High Halstow.

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St Margaret’s Church, Rochester

St. Margarets Church, St. Margarets Street, Rochester, Kent, ME1 1UJ

Much of St Margaret's Church was re-built in the early 19th century, but the 15th century tower from the much earlier church remains. Visitors can…

Much of St Margaret's Church was re-built in the early 19th century, but the 15th century tower from the much earlier church remains. Visitors can climb the tower to view the bells (oldest dates from 1621) and take in the amazing views of Rochester, the other Medway Towns, and the Medway Valley.

Opening Times

• Saturday 8 September: 1000-1700
• Sunday 9 September: 1200-1700

Booking Details

No booking required

Access Information

The church itself is fully accessible to wheelchair users, but the tower is not. There is a narrow, spiral staircase of some 76 stone stairs to negotiate.

Directions

St Margaret's Church is situated in St Margaret's Street about one third of a mile south of Rochester Castle and Cathedral.

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St Peter and St Paul Church, Upper Stoke

St Peter and St Paul Church, The Street, Upper Stoke, Rochester, Kent, ME3 9RT

The church of St Peter and St Paul dates back to the 12th century and has recently undergone extensive renovation. From the tower it is possible…

The church of St Peter and St Paul dates back to the 12th century and has recently undergone extensive renovation. From the tower it is possible to look over the estuary and the marshes of the Hoo peninsula. Church registers will be on display highlighting some of the social history of the village of Stoke.

Opening Times

• Thursday 6 September: not open
• Friday 7 September: not open
• Saturday 8 September: 10.00-16.00
• Sunday 9 September: Open for morning worship 09.30

Booking Details

No booking required

Access Information

Portable ramps are available to enable wheelchair users to access the building

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St Werburgh Church, Hoo

St Werburgh Church, Church Street, Hoo, Rochester, Kent, ME3 9AL

St Werburgh Church is a Grade I listed, medieval building which has recently undergone major refurbishment to replace the Victorian tile and wood…

St Werburgh Church is a Grade I listed, medieval building which has recently undergone major refurbishment to replace the Victorian tile and wood floor with stone tiles. The old floor had been severely damaged by the action of woodworm in the joists and had become dangerous. The church received major grants from the Heritage Lottery Fund, and other grant awarding bodies, as well as receiving considerable support from the local community all of which has enabled this work to proceed.

Visitors will be able to explore the church and see an exhibition giving details of the history of the church and an outline of the recent refurbishment. Some historic registers will also be on display.

Visitors will also be able to explore the churchyard and it's many interesting features including the grave of Thomas Aveling, 'iron founder and agricultural engineer'.

Opening Times

• Friday 7 September: 1000-1600
• Saturday 8 September: 1000-1600
• Sunday 9 September: 1400-1600

Booking Details

No booking required

Directions

We are very close to the centre of the village where there is a signpost to the church. The church spire is visible from all around the village.

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Tour The French Hospital Almshouses & Huguenots’ Garden

The French Hospital, 41 La Providence, Rochester, Kent, ME1 1NB

The French Hospital was established in London in 1718 so that persecuted Huguenots could be understood, embraced and cared for with love and…

The French Hospital was established in London in 1718 so that persecuted Huguenots could be understood, embraced and cared for with love and dignity. As one of the earliest foundations to support immigrants in London, and one of the first in Britain to provide sympathetic care for the mentally ill, our founders’ foresight and determination lit a beacon of compassion for those in need. Our founders created an unique approach to the care of Huguenots in need, and that spirit continues today in Rochester, Kent.

Today, we provide affordable sheltered accommodation, primarily for those of Huguenot descent, which allows our residents to live full, dignified and independent lives. The site of The French Hospital today is just off the Rochester High Street and includes nineteen terraced houses in a historic square, dating back to the 1840s, and other additions over time. The picturesque main square was formerly a brewery and the vaults still lie beneath the road and gardens today.

During your visit you’ll have the opportunity to tour our site and visit the private Huguenots’ Garden which features plants that would have been familiar to gardeners of the 16th and 17th centuries in France and England. Refreshments will be available onsite and all proceeds from the refreshments will benefit the residents of The French Hospital. We also highly recommend a visit to the nearby Huguenot Museum which holds the main collection of The French Hospital.

Opening Times

• Saturday 8 September: 1000-1600

Booking Details

No booking required

Access Information

We regret that the reception room in 41 La Providence is not accessible for those in a wheelchair, but the rest of the site is accessible.

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Watts Almshouses

Watts Almshouses, Maidstone Road, Rochester, Kent, ME1 1SE

Tour the grounds with a guide. An almshouse will be open for viewing where possible. Visit an exhibition from the Watts Archives and discuss the…

Tour the grounds with a guide. An almshouse will be open for viewing where possible. Visit an exhibition from the Watts Archives and discuss the services provides by Watts today. Relax in the Common Room with refreshments and home-made cakes. The residents, staff and trustees of Watts Almshouses look forward to welcoming you.

Opening Times

• Saturday 8 September: 1000-1600
• Sunday 9 September: 1000-1600

Booking Details

No booking required

Access Information

Steps up at the front to access to Board Room and Common Room. Steep wooden stairs up to Board Room. Wheelchair access to Common Room via rear of site.

Additional information

Max 8 people per tour/session. In addition to almshouse accommodation Richard Watts Charities offers grants and services, including a Home Help Service, to people who need help and live in our catchment area of ME1 and ME2. Richard Watts Charities was founded in 1579. Dogs on leads welcome.

Directions

Entrance in Watts Avenue (Maidstone Road end). Opposite Shozna Indian Restaurant. Limited parking on site.

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Horsley Organ Restoration Project

Holy Trinity Church, Horsley, Rochester, Northumberland, NE19 1TA

View and listen to a recently restored Nelson Organ with a fascinating history. Volunteers will be on hand to talk about the restoration…

View and listen to a recently restored Nelson Organ with a fascinating history. Volunteers will be on hand to talk about the restoration process.
Play our specially commissioned model organ to find out how an organ works.
Exhibition about the history of the organ and its restoration. Also includes the history of the church and its connections with the Mitford family and the 'Fabulous Mitford sisters'.
Tour and talk around the church.
Photographic exhibition 'Our Music Seen' in collaboration with North Tyne Photography Group.

Individuals, families and small groups welcome to drop in without booking, but we ask larger groups to pre-book (see details below).

Opening Times

• Saturday 8 September: 1100-1500

Booking Details

No booking required

Access Information

Limited parking on A68 roadside or on driveway to church. Short uphill walk on gravel drive to gate into cemetery. Blue badge holders can park higher up the driveway and enter church by north door to avoid steps into church. Church volunteers will be on hand to assist. It would help us facilitate your visit if you could advise of approximate time of arrival.

Additional information

Max 20 people per tour/session. Refreshments available at local inn and at cafe in nearby Rochester. Why not visit nearby St Francis' Church in Byrness, our chapel at ease? There, you'll see the wonderful stained glass window commemorating the workmen and women who died building the dam for the Catcleugh Reservoir. http://www.visitnorthumberland.com/churches/st-francis-church

Directions

Immediately off the A68 just a few hundred metres north of the Redesdale Arms on the right and partly surrounded by woodland. CAUTION - sharp right hand turn into narrow driveway with rough surface.

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