by Janis / 0 comments - Orginally published:25th August 2026
A hidden oasis in the heart of Rochester
Gary and I know the county of Kent reasonably well. Yet it still surprises us when we stumble across a historic manor house that holds a wealth of intrigue and curiosity, like Restoration House in the heart of Rochester.
It isn’t just the unique medieval mansion that will surprise you, but equally the lush and lovingly tended vast gardens. You’ll struggle to believe that there’s a bustling town beyond this tranquil, hidden oasis.
Rochester is overflowing with ancient history, from: the early Roman road of Watling Street passing through the town; the magnificent Rochester Cathedral and King’s School, both founded in 604; the imposing 12th century Rochester Castle; and, of course, Charles Dickens, who owned a house very nearby.
Restoration House has very limited open days, due to the owners living there, so ensure you check prior to arrival. If you are a subscriber to BBC’s Gardeners’ World, you can enter 2 for 1. Photography is only permitted on Fridays between 10am and 1pm.
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Where is Restoration House?
How to get to Restoration House
- By Train
You can catch a High-Speed train from London St Pancras or London Victoria to Rochester Station, which takes around 40 minutes.
- By Car
Restoration House is in the historic centre of Rochester, so it is advisable to park in one of the public car parks nearby. Rochester is just over 3 miles (4.5km) off Junction 2 of the M2 motorway.
To find the nearest EV charger to Restoration House, check zap-map.com/live
The origins of Restoration House
The arrival of a KingRestoration House can be found just off the High Street in Rochester and directly opposite The Vines Park, once part of the vineyard of the medieval cathedral priory.
Restoration House in Rochester has a fascinating past; the deeper you delve, the more layers of English history converge, and the story becomes increasingly intriguing. The earliest recorded date associated with the site is 1454, identified through the floor joists beneath the Oak Saloon, which were ring-dated to c1454.
Far end of the Tudor Garden
Though Restoration House may appear as a grand 17th century mansion, its origins are actually medieval. The house was developed from two separate medieval buildings, which were gradually enlarged and eventually joined. By around the late 16th and early 17th centuries, they had evolved into the impressive townhouse, which explains the mixture of medieval, Elizabethan and early Stuart character that survives today. Further major alterations took place during the mid-1600s.
Long view of Oak Saloon
The name ‘Restoration House’ comes from perhaps the most famous night in its history. In May 1660, Charles II was travelling from Dover towards London to reclaim the throne following the collapse of the Commonwealth. On 28 May, the night before his triumphant arrival in London, Charles stayed here in Rochester.
One of two pianos in the Great Chamber
The house was then associated with Sir Francis Clerke, a Royalist supporter, and Charles was accompanied by his younger brothers, the Dukes of York and Gloucester. That brief royal visit gave the building the name Restoration House, although it seems the name itself wasn't widely used until much later.
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Further history of Restoration House
And its guardians through timeRestoration House continued to be regarded as one of Rochester's finer residences. When Samuel Pepys visited the area in 1667, he described Sir Francis Clerke's home as a “pretty seat”. Much of the house's character comes from the fact that it wasn't constructed to a single neat architectural plan.
Beautiful stained-glass window
Every tiny detail
With centuries of extensions and alterations, it has left a melting pot of styles, old brickwork, timber floors, panelling, winding staircases and rooms that feel as though they have steadily matured together. Today Restoration House is protected as a Grade I listed building.
Attention to detail
Then, of course, there's the famous novelist Charles Dickens. Dickens knew Rochester extremely well and regularly passed by Restoration House on his walks around the then City of Rochester (but that’s another story). The rather mysterious old mansion clearly stayed in his imagination, because it became the inspiration for Satis House in Great Expectations.
Dickens remained fascinated by the building: just a few days before his death in June 1870, he was reportedly seen standing in The Vines, looking intently at Restoration House, suggesting that even towards the end of his life the old building still fascinated him.
The winding staircase
Restoration House and its gardens have passed through many hands over the centuries; in more recent times, it was owned by the entertainer Rod Hull, yes, of Emu fame. In 1986, Rod Hull purchased Restoration House for around £270,000 and then invested considerably more in restoring the property, but financial difficulties eventually led to in the house being taken by the Receiver in 1994.
We then arrive at the present owners, Robert Tucker and Jonathan Wilmot, who have undertaken a long and painstaking programme of restoration, not just of the house but also its historic gardens. The results of their passion and dedication are incredible; the house and gardens look magnificent.
Cutting garden looking to the house
Along their journey, they have uncovered several hidden decorative schemes and beautiful features that have not been seen for many, many years. Also, after some wrangling with the local council, they reacquired land that had historically belonged to the estate.
Discover our Kent Road trips
There's no better way to discover these hidden gems within Kent than on a short little road trip exploring the Garden of England.
There's so much to see, from the pretty country villages and historic sights to our coastline.
Why not check out one of our little road trips to see what we mean?
Our visit to Restoration House
Exploring its grand roomsWe visited Restoration House on a Friday in July and were delighted to see that it was such a popular place to visit in Rochester. It’s always lovely to know that these historic buildings are creating a long legacy.
One of the many things I loved about Restoration House was the very knowledgeable guides located throughout the home; they are incredibly informative.
The Great Hall
The Great Hall at Restoration House is one of its most impressive rooms, created in the 17th century, when several earlier medieval buildings were brought together into one grand mansion.
Its remarkable wide elm floorboards, discovered in 1994, are thought to date from the 1630s, and because they were hidden beneath later flooring for many years, they survived exceptionally well. The raised dais at one end gives you a real sense of how the hall would once have been the social heart of the house, while the nearby late-Elizabethan staircase adds even more character.
One of many Gainsboroughs
The pine wall panelling is also c1630 and has been repainted in its original green stone tones, discovered within its mouldings. Within the Great Hall are many cherished furnishings along with a beautiful Gainsborough painting.
Escape for a few days
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After a day exploring the Kent coast and its many historic castles enjoy one of the handpicked properties and unique retreats at Holiday Cottages.
Discovering more of its grandeur
The Oak Saloon and Tapestry RoomThe Oak Saloon is one of the most fascinating rooms in Restoration House, with late 16th century oak panelling that was given a fashionable makeover around the time of Charles II’s visit in 1660, including a French-grey painted finish inspired by contemporary French taste.
The Oak Saloon
The Oak Saloon also opens directly into the Tapestry Room, allowing the two spaces to work together almost like a private audience chamber for the King during his stay and would have provided an appropriately grand setting for receiving the future king and his entourage.
The Tapestry Room
The Tapestry Room forms part of the sequence of richly furnished historic rooms that gives the house such a strong 17th century character. Today, with its historic furnishings and textiles, it helps give Restoration House that wonderfully intimate feeling of a 17th century home rather than a formal museum. It would have been an astonishing place to live.
Stepping in the footsteps of history
The Great ChamberThe Great Chamber sits directly above the Great Hall and, as one of the largest rooms in Restoration House, it would originally have been an important space for entertaining and receiving guests.
Created as part of the central range in the early 17th century, it retains impressive full-height panelling, an ornate fireplace, and a delightful 17th century colour scheme of pale stone-white and contrasting dark detailing, which has been carefully reinstated during the house’s restoration.
The Great Chamber
Together with the Great Hall below, it really helps you imagine Restoration House at its grandest, when it was one of the most substantial residences in Rochester. The Great Chamber is also the room most strongly associated with Miss Havisham, as it is said to have helped inspire Dickens’s wonderfully gloomy interiors at Satis House in Great Expectations.
The Oriel Window
The guide in the Oriel Room was extremely informative and explained the complexity of the conservation and repair work undertaken there. The Oriel Window, which looks out over the garden, is stunning and perfectly lights the room, lending it a sense of historic character.
This room also concealed its original elm wood floor, which has been repaired with English elm felled by the Great Storm of 1987; I’m of an age to remember it well.
Statue with bricked-up window behind
Whilst renovating this room, three extra windows and a door were discovered. The door once led to another house, now demolished, and through the three rediscovered windows you can see brickwork built right up to the glass, which is from the old building next door.
If you're intrigued by Kent's weird and wonderful history, or all unusual stories around the county, then take a peek at "Kent's Strangest Tales".
You won't be able to put it down, you can pick it up for your Kindle or in good old paperback.
“Fit for a King”
A glimpse at the King’s Bed ChamberThe King’s Bed Chamber clearly takes its name from Charles II’s stay at Restoration House on 28 May 1660, when Sir Francis Clerke hosted the King. Tradition holds that this was the room prepared for Charles that night, making it particularly special because, within days, the monarchy would formally be restored after eleven years of Commonwealth rule.
Bed in the King’s Bed Chamber
Doll on the King’s Bed
The room also has a slightly shadowy feature, as a concealed doorway from the adjoining study provides access towards the King’s Bed Chamber, part of the network of hidden spaces and passages found within the old house.
Also, in the early 17th century, when the north and south structures were combined, the floor was raised. The mullioned windows here are incredibly old; the glazier’s initials can be seen in each individual light, and they also date from the 17th century.
Inside the King’s Bed Chamber
During the Victorian period, owner Stephen Aveling added murals to the chamber, adding yet another layer to a room that has evolved considerably since Charles’s brief but historically significant visit.
Throughout this beautiful house, there are stunning pieces of artwork that are worthy of a gallery themselves. I particularly love Gainsborough, so it was a treat to see so many.
Exploring the magical gardens
No stone has been left unturnedThe gardens at Restoration House are quite a surprise, because from Crow Lane, you'd never imagine that such a large and peaceful space lies behind the house and just around 100 yards from the historic High Street.
Pond in the form of a Queen Anne mirror
The gardens extend to around three-quarters of an acre; they're enclosed by beautiful old walls and divided into a series of distinct areas, so exploring them feels more like wandering through a collection of little gardens than a single grand formal space.
There's an impressive boxwood parterre, herbaceous borders, yew topiary, a long Portland-stone pond, greenhouses, a cutting garden and a productive kitchen garden, along with quinces, an old Muscat vine and plenty of superbly mature planting.
The top terrace
Edwardian summer house
But perhaps the most interesting thing is that these aren't simply modern gardens made to look old. Archaeological investigations have uncovered evidence of late-medieval and early Tudor terraced gardens, including Kentish ragstone walls, steps and a remarkable Tudor brick and flint wall dating from around 1590.
The present gardens have been carefully developed around these surviving features, using reclaimed local materials and traditional building techniques, so there is a real sense that the garden has evolved alongside the house over hundreds of years.
Perfect symmetrical lines
There's also a lovely modern chapter to the story, but not gained without a worthy battle with the local council. After buying Restoration House in 1994, Robert Tucker and Jonathan Wilmot began the painstaking restoration of both house and gardens. They later managed to acquire adjoining land that had historically formed part of the estate, allowing elements of the old Tudor garden to be brought back into the story.
Today you'll find features such as the restored Tudor mount or 'Eminence', a sunken parterre whose pattern was inspired by a Jacobean design found on doors inside the house, and even a pond shaped like a Queen Anne mirror.
Potting shed
It all makes the gardens feel rather magical, formal without being too manicured, historic without feeling like a museum, and full of secluded corners where the house suddenly appears through the planting. In many ways, they're every bit as fascinating as Restoration House itself.
Restoration House truly is a hidden oasis and a place I urge you to visit; I could have spent hours in the gardens. The work undertaken by the current owners is breath-taking and I hope that all the painstaking legal wrangling they have experienced is now over.
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