Eastgate House

Exciting news for Charles Dickens' Chalet in the gardens of Eastgate House: The Charles Dickens' Swiss writing chalet in Rochester got a new lease of life thanks to funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Find out more on our Charles Dickens' Chalet page here. You can visit this iconic building in the gardens of Eastgate House, where Charles Dickens wrote some of his novels and where he began to pen his last unfinished novel, The Mystery of Edwin Drood. [Image: https://www.visitkent.co.uk/media/133847/dickens-writing-chalet-nick-johnson-at-the-imageworks.jpg] [Image: https://www.visitkent.co.uk/media/69289/swiss-chalet-2.png] This Grade I listed 16th and 17th Century townhouse is one of the most impressive and distinctive buildings on Rochester's historic High Street. It also has many fascinating stories to tell... Once the family home of Sir Peter Buck, a senior officer at the Royal Tudor Dockyard, the house has also been a Victorian boarding school, a hostel, a museum and an inspiration to the great author Charles Dickens. As part of a £2.2million Heritage Lottery Funded project, Eastgate House underwent major refurbishment works and is now open to the public. Many of the building's original features and decorative schemes have been carefully restored, and new heating and lighting has been installed. The second floor of the house is open to visitors for the first time in more than 40 years. Visitors to the house can explore the amazing rooms of the house while learning the remarkable story of those who lived, worked and played here throughout the centuries. In the gardens of the house stands Dickens' Swiss Chalet , used by the author as his study at his home at Gad's Hill Place. For details of upcoming events see listings below or follow Eastgate House on Facebook and Instagram. Step inside Eastgate House and explore a maze of beautiful rooms and displays telling the stories of those who lived there throughout the centuries. Weddings at Eastgate House: The splendid oak-panelled ceremony room at Eastgate House features a gorgeous fireplace and offers a true sense of occasion. Eastgate is a ceremony-only venue that seats 40 guests. Find out more about getting married at Eastgate House. [Image: https://www.visitkent.co.uk/media/63090/eastgate-wedding.jpg] Eastgate House Accessibility Guide: Download Eastgate House's accessibility guide here. Upcoming Events: What's On at Eastgate House