Restoration House
A handsome townhouse with interiors "of rare poetry and historical resonance."
Crow Lane, Rochester, Kent, ME1 1RF
Facilities
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Accessible loos
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Cafe / restaurant
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Easily accessible without car
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No parking
- Wheelchair ramps/routes
Restoration House is the amalgamation of two medieval buildings which were combined in the late 16th or early 17th-century to create a mansion house just outside the city wall of Rochester.
Over the past ten years the present owners have uncovered various parts of the decorative scheme which were the “run up” for King Charles II’s visit on the eve of his Restoration to the throne. These provide fascinating examples of fashionable mid-17th century Continental taste seen through provincial eyes at a time when such innovations had been quashed by Cromwell.
Within these “interiors of rare poetry and historical resonance” (Jeremy Musson, Country Life) is a collection of beautiful English pictures and furniture, with nine Gainsboroughs.
The walled gardens enclose a stunning parterre, topiary and other formal features, along with herbaceous borders, greenhouses, and a cutting garden. An amazing early 17th-century Italian garden, with wide terraces on three levels, statues, ponds and beautiful brickwork is now nearing completion.
Private tours Thursday and Friday in April.
£15 per head
Min 12 per group
Important information: opening info is generated by artificial intelligence; check specific attraction details before travelling.
The indicator above will show ‘open’ when the public have any kind of access to any part of this property. That could be the park, a shop, or a special event, and may not reflect regular admission times to the main attraction. Always consult the website of the house or garden you intend to visit before travelling to check that the attraction you are interested in is open.
Restoration House is a historic city mansion located in Rochester, England, known for its connection to King Charles II and its inspiration for Dickens' "Great Expectations." The house and garden have specific opening times and conditions for visitors in 2025 and 2026.
Opening Hours for 2025
- Thursdays and Fridays: Open from 12th June to 26th September, 10am - 5pm (last entry at 4:30pm).
- Saturday: Open on 12th July only, 12 noon - 5pm (last entry at 4:30pm).
Tickets are available for purchase on arrival. Photography is allowed in the garden, but in the house, it is restricted to Fridays from 10am to 1pm. The house and garden are not wheelchair accessible. Visitors must store their bags in provided lockers while touring the house.
Opening Hours for 2026
- Thursdays and Fridays: Open from 11th June to 25th September, 10am - 5pm (last entry at 4:30pm).
- Saturday: Open on 11th July only, 12 noon - 5pm (last entry at 4:30pm).
Admission prices for 2026 are as follows:
- House and Garden: Adults £14, Seniors £11, Students £6, Children (5-16) £6, Children under 5 free, Historic Houses members free.
- Garden only: Adults £7, Children (5-16) £3, Children under 5 free.
- Special Tickets: Family day ticket £32, Season ticket £32, Family season ticket £50.
Photography in the house is allowed on Fridays from 10am to 1pm. The tea shop is open from 10am to 4:30pm.
Group Tours
- Pre-booked, Self-Guided Groups: Available during the main season for groups of 8 or more at £10 per person in 2025 and £11 per person in 2026, including a guidebook.
- Pre-booked, Guided Group Tours: Available in April for groups of 12-25 people (or up to 50 with two guides) at £17.50 per person, including a guidebook.
Additional Information
Contact details for inquiries and bookings are provided, and the house is accessible by road and rail. Parking is not available on-site, but nearby options exist.
Stay in Tuscany
The owners also offer a Tuscan farmhouse for rent, accommodating up to 6 people. Prices start at €750 for 4 people or less and €900 for 6, with additional charges for premium dates. The house is not available during the first three weeks of May and the last three weeks of October.
Normal ticket prices:
House and Garden: £11, Concessions: £9
Garden only: £6
Students and under 16: half price
Pre booked guided tour: £11
Groups are welcome, please contact for more information.
We offer tailored school visits for primary and secondary schools based on how people lived in houses before electricity.
Please contact us for more information on 01634 848520 or by email on [email protected].
- Wheelchair ramps/routes
Getting here
Crow Lane, Rochester, Kent, ME1 1RF
Located just off Rochester High St, in Crow Lane, opposite The Vines park.
We are a 5 min walk from Rochester station with services from Victoria, Charing Cross and HI Speed from St. Pancras (30 min).
Margaret Cumberland - Australia.
What would we do without such generous and forsightful owners preserving this beauty for us and the furture.
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