Restoration House
A handsome townhouse with interiors "of rare poetry and historical resonance."
Crow Lane, Rochester, Kent, ME1 1RF
Facilities
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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 thirty 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, with eleven Gainsboroughs, including his earliest landscapes, alongside fine portraits by Joshua Reynolds, Mary Beale, Peter Lely and Perugino, among others. Furnishings include a strong collection of English chairs, candlesticks and ceramics, including Staffordshire salt glaze and creamware.
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 complete following a fifteen-year restoration.
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.
Opening Times
House and Garden — Regular Opening
Thursdays and Fridays from 11th June to 25th September 2026, 10am to 5pm. Last entry is at 4:30pm.
House and Garden — Saturday Opening
Saturday 11th July 2026 only, 12 noon to 5pm. Last entry is at 4:30pm.
Garden Only Admission
Garden-only admission is available during the 2026 open season on Thursdays and Fridays (11th June to 25th September) and on Saturday 11th July only.
Group Visits
Pre-booked self-guided group visits are available during the main season: Thursdays and Fridays from 11th June to 25th September 2026, and on Saturday 11th July 2026 only.
Photography
In-house photography is restricted to 10am to 1pm on Fridays during the open season (11th June to 25th September 2026). Photography is not permitted inside the House at other times.
Normal ticket prices:
House and Garden: £14, Concessions: £11
Garden only: £7
Students and under 16: £7
Groups of eight or more (self guided throughout opening season): £11
Pre booked guided tour (Thursdays and Fridays in April only): £17.50
Private guided tours will be available on the following Thursdays and Fridays in April 2027:
Thursday 8th, Friday 9th, Thursday 15th, Friday 16th, Thursday 22nd, Friday 23rd, Thursday 29th, Friday 30th.
These are priced at £17.50 per head. The minimum group size is twelve. Please send enquiries to [email protected] or call 01634 848520.
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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