CHRISTMASINKENT
CHRISTMAS IN THE CITY CONT .
ROCHESTER ART GALLERY SMOQE
FISH AT 55
Aside from the legacies of Charles Dickens , Rochester has lots of other cultural hotspots to discover . These include Rochester Art Gallery ( www . medway . gov . uk / rochesterartgallery ) – often described as a hidden gem , the gallery can be found within the Medway Visitor Information Centre on the high street . Until 14 January 2023 , the gallery features the exhibition The Ghosts of Other Things : Art , Archaeology and The Rochester Airport Archaeological Dig . The site of Canterbury Archaeological Trust ’ s dig , the starting point for this exhibition lies within an area of human activity spanning thousands of years . Evidence from the site forms part of Rochester ’ s story and links to the broad patterns , connections and significance of history . The exhibition brings together art , archaeology and archive material linked to the site . It spans from the Neolithic Kits Coty House of the first farmers overlooking the Medway , through patterns of migration , toil and conflict . It also includes stories of Shorts Brothers , of workers and families , creativity and history , innovation and conflict , and of the many ghosts that haunt Rochester . ‘ From the land and soil , stories and myths of lives , loves , loss , achievements and failures emerge . From within the swirling dramas , shifts , loops and flow of time , the ghosts that shape our particular and collective dreams and visions take form .’ The exhibition is free to visitors .
Another ode to Dickens comes in the form of a traditional English tea room , Pegotty ’ s Parlour ( www . peggottysparlour . co . uk ), which is named after the David Copperfield character . Sitting in the heart of the high street , Pegotty ’ s has been serving delicious homemade cakes and lovely cups of tea since 1982 . Today , guests can also enjoy brilliant brunches , light lunches and afternoon teas . After fuelling up at Pegotty ’ s , visit another venue named after a literary character : Baggins Book Bazaar ( www . bagginsbooks . co . uk ), a huge second-hand bookshop , this is a real gem for book and literature lovers and perfect for finding gifts for those that appreciate the tangibility of a good book .
As well as plenty of cultural attractions , Rochester is also home to a burgeoning foodie scene with lots of independent and family run restaurants . Newly refurbished Rochester favourite , The Quills ( www . thequills . co . uk ) is situated in a Tudor yeoman ’ s house on the high street where guests sit in the beamed dining rooms alongside rescued antique oak doors that were once part of Rochester Cathedral until refurbishments in 2014 . Whether you ’ re in need of a fabulous homemade breakfast , a simple but perfectly prepared coffee , a supreme steak and a glass of wine , or a Mediterranean meal finished off with a scrumptious sundae , The Quills are sure to satisfy your appetite . Another Rochester dining experience to be celebrated is Smoqe ( www . smoqe . co . uk ) which prides itself on its USAinspired BBQ flavours that come through in everything from their carefully concocted meat rubs to artisan burgers - ready to have your mouth watering as soon as you walk through the door . Our last foodie treasure to add to our Rochester restaurant round-up trio is Fish at 55 ( www . fish55 . co . uk ) who believe that ‘ good food is a good mood ’ and use only the freshest ingredients from sea and land . Proudly sourcing most of their produce from and local fisherman in Hythe , eat assured that you will be dining on fish that is delivered fresh and daily . Menu highlights include seared scallops with tenderstem broccoli , baby fennel and creamy garlic sauce and whole native lobster dripping with gorgeous garlic butter next to a side of skinny chips .
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