We're going to Rochester's Dickensian Christmas

Rochester’s Dickensian Christmas

Rochester’s Dickensian Christmas has been held annually since 1988, which is fitting, as Medway held such a special place in Charles Dickens’ life and work.

Days trips South East London and Surrey

We're running great value day trips with our coach seated double deck buses on Saturday December 1st 2012.

Great value fares

Our day trips are only £12 for adults and £10 for Children and Senior Citizens  click here to book online.

The Dickens Christmas Market

This takes place in the beautiful grounds of Kent’s Rochester Castle, overlooking the River Medway and just a few steps from Rochester’s picture-postcard Victorian High Street; home to the ever-popular Dickensian Christmas Festival, attracting more than 80,000 people over the first weekend in December.

Just imagine the setting, the Castle walls illuminated in traditional Christmas colours, trees filled with twinkling fairy lights, the smell of roasted chestnuts and glühwein fills the air and an array of wonderful German style Christmas market huts selling a range of festive gifts and hand-crafted goods. In addition to all of this, street entertainers and Dickensian characters mingle amongst the revellers, whilst carol singers welcome visitors as they enter the market with festive Christmas carols.

The Dickens Christmas Market at Rochester Castle is open Wednesday to Sunday from the beginning until the middle of December.

It replaces the existing craft market to create what is expected to be the largest 'authentic' Christmas market in the UK, featuring up to 300 German style Christmas chalets, a giant Christmas tree, bandstand, and carousel. The castle walls will be illuminated and the entire market will be decorated in festive tradition to ensure that visitors experience a truly spectacular Christmas atmosphere.

Dickensian Christmas Festival in Rochester

Each year, the first weekend of December brings Victorian festivities to Rochester in the form of a Dickensian Christmas, where you can experience street entertainment, readings, songs and dance. You'll be captivated by Dickens' characters as you explore the literary journey that was the great writer's life. Each day there are parades through Rochester and the magnificent surroundings of Rochester Cathedral and Castle and guaranteed snowfall creates a charming sceneYou’ll be captivated by Dickens’ characters as you explore the literary journey that was the great writer’s life. Each day there are parades through Rochester and the magnificent surroundings of Rochester Cathedral and Castle and guaranteed snowfall create a charming scene.

Route 775 from Morden and Sutton

Click here to book online

Buses operate on dates specified
Kingston, Sainsbury's	0850
Kingston, Cromwell Road, stop A3	0852
Raynes Park, Coombe Lane, stop B	0905
Morden Station, stop G	0915
St Helier, Rose Hill, stop RP	0920
Sutton Green, High Street, stop B	0925
Sutton Station, stop O	0930
Belmont, Cotswold Road	0935
Banstead, Woolpack	0939
Banstead, opposite Marks & Spencer (also serves Waitrose)	0940
Burgh Heath	0945
Lower Kingswood	0950
LIMITED STOP
Rochester, Dickensian Festival	1050
Return departure time
Rochester, Dickensian Festival	1600