The Local Life List
A considered guide to places worth lingering over across Medway.
Seasonal Pick
spring
St Andrews Lakes Wellness Centre
St Andrews Lakes near Halling in Kent is a lakeside wellness centre offering wood-fired saunas, hot tubs and cold water immersion beside the clear waters of a former quarry.
Discover more →
Explore Neighbourhoods
Neighbourhood Explorer
Local Highlights
Explore
Broomhill Park a Hidden Oasis in Strood
A hidden delight, an oasis of calm with breath-taking views of the Medway river and Thames river.
Eat
The Three Crutches
Just off the A2 on the outskirts of Higham, The Three Crutches is a traditional country pub. Cosy interiors, hearty British fare, and a genuinely welcoming atmosphere.
Do
Playopolis
A bright board game café just beyond Rochester’s busiest stretch, offering a vast games library, table service and a welcoming space to play, linger and meet others.
Shop
Analogue Music
An independent record shop on Rochester High Street, specialising in new and second-hand vinyl, with expert advice and a welcoming feel for unhurried browsing.
Featured Stories
Stories
Rochester High Street
Rochester High Street in Kent brings together independent shops, cafés, historic landmarks and everyday local life along one of England’s most enduring streets.
Stories
Independent Shops on Rochester High Street
Independent shops on Rochester High Street, from menswear and homeware to makers’ spaces and everyday essentials, explored through a quieter, more considered way of moving through the street.
Stories
London to Rochester: A Calm Riverside Day Trip
Rochester is one of the easiest day trips from London, reached in under 40 minutes by train, where river, cathedral and High Street sit within minutes of the station.