Rochester Destination Guide

Rochester sits within the area, known to geologists, as the London Basin. The low-lying Hoo Peninsula to the north of the town is a peninsula separating the estuaries of the rivers Thames and Medway. It is dominated by a line of sand and clay hills, surrounded by an extensive area of marshland composed of alluvial silt. Rochester is centered on the cathedral and castle. The city was also a favourite of Charles Dickens who lived nearby and based a number of his novels in the area. The Hoo Peninsula is home to a 129.7 acre nature reserve located in High Halstow, one of the many villages on the peninsula. The Peninsula's marshlands are part of the North Kent Marshes, divided into two protected areas: the Thames Estuary and Marshlands, and the Medway Estuary and Marshes.