Bridge Heritage Quarter A vision for Rochester’s historic waterfront An introduction to Rochester’s bridges For nearly two millennia there has been a strategic crossing of the River , on the route from London to the coast, between the sites which are now known as Rochester and . For 620 years, the Rochester Bridge Trust has been an integral part of the story of that crossing.

Soon after the invasion of 43AD, the Roman Army built probably its first major bridge in Britain across the on Watling Street. There, a fort and settlement developed which grew over the centuries into the city of Rochester. Originally titled the Wardens and The route across the bridge became Commonalty of Rochester Bridge, a major road for trade, pilgrimage, the charity is now known as the diplomacy and the movement of Rochester Bridge Trust. armies. More than six centuries later, the When, in 1381, the much-repaired Trust continues its original role, Roman Bridge collapsed in winter now providing two substantial road storms the need for a replacement bridges and a service bridge at

crossing was urgent. Two veterans no cost to the public. Its work is Bridge Heritage Quarter of the Hundred Years’ War funded by a property portfolio that volunteered to organise and fund a was originally established thanks new bridge. to endowments from medieval benefactors. In 1399, by letters patent of Richard II, a charity was formed to care The Rochester Bridge Trust is the Bridge Heritage Quarter for this new bridge and ensure only surviving independent medieval a crossing was provided to the bridge trust which still provides 2 travelling public in perpetuity. major bridges in this way. 3 The Trust in Rochester

As well as maintaining Education Community the bridges at • The founding of grammar • Supporting community schools for girls in both organisations with links to the Rochester, the Trust Maidstone and Rochester River Medway, from funding supports other and, more recently, the Bridge boats for local youth groups to Wardens’ College at the supporting the restoration of charitable projects. University of Kent heritage vessels

• An award-winning education • Specialist projects such as the initiative encouraging the Medway Aircraft Preservation learning and study of civil Society’s restoration of a engineering and agriculture Shorts Scion Floatplane, through scholarships, events celebrating an historic River and the development of Medway-based industry original and free resources

Heritage For more than a century, grants • Publication of conference buildings goes back many hundreds from the Trust have helped fund proceedings on the 1667 Dutch of years. The Rochester Guildhall, restoration of historic structures Raid on the Medway Gordon Hotel, Crown Inn and across Kent and Medway, including: Abdication House all once formed The Trust is always seeking part of the property portfolio funding opportunities to blend its • Works to Rochester Guildhall’s the maintenance of the bridges. bell tower and Rochester commitment to preserving the built Cathedral environment with its other projects In 2014, the City of Rochester and operations: Society presented an award • Investigation of the rare 16th in recognition of the Trust’s • Supporting the restoration of century wall paintings uncovered contribution to conservation work in Bridge Wardens’ College – a in Eastgate House Rochester over the previous century. listed building – at the Chatham • Repairs to many historic buildings Historic Dockyard, prior to As an organisation with more and structures, including establishment of the college than 600 years of history – and Bridge Heritage Quarter churches and war memorials custodianship of a range of historic • Internal renovation of St Andrew’s structures including the 14th Other grants support initiatives to House, a Grade I-listed building century Bridge Chapel, the Grade which was formerly the Deanery communicate the history of the 2-listed Victorian Bridge Chamber and Theological College for county to visitors: and Grade 2-listed Old Bridge – Bridge Heritage Quarter • Exhibits at Fort Amherst the Trust is keen to preserve and The association of the Trust with enhance the heritage of the local 4 some of Rochester’s most iconic area. 5 The medieval Bridge Chapel is one The buildings are to be refurbished It is the Trust’s ambition for the of a handful of medieval bridge to make them more accessible buildings to become a venue for chapels which survive in England, with significant discreet and high- learning and for celebrating the Heritage on the while the Victorian Bridge Chamber standard upgrades to the building history of Rochester’s bridges. is the administrative base of the systems. These improvements An archive study space would be Trust and houses an extensive and will enable the Trust to open the created to facilitate better access unique archive. buildings for more public access, to the archives and collections for exhibitions and events, while visiting researchers. river bank preserving their historic fabric and outward appearance.

Since its foundation in the late 14th century, the Trust’s main centre of administration has continued on the same site, adjacent to the river and overlooking the bridges. Today

there are two Bridge Heritage Quarter connected buildings which the Trust aims to make more widely accessible as the focus Bridge Heritage Quarter for a Bridge Heritage

6 Quarter. 7 Bridge Heritage Quarter

The history of the bridges, Esplanade and historic buildings facing the river are waiting to be more widely discovered. Improving the accessibility of the fascinating story would complement existing plans for the redevelopment and regeneration of 1 the Rochester and Strood riversides.

Visitors to Rochester often turn • A specialist classroom back before they reach the river 2 end of the High Street. This means • A second room of hands-on they miss the chance to explore the activities and interactive exhibits bridges, views of the river and the • A base from which to host Esplanade and do not become aware escorted bridge tours, including of the Bridge Chamber and Chapel, hard-hat tours of private areas or the story of the Trust and its part in the history of Rochester. • Secure outside space for extended learning The Trust aims to add an attractive new dimension to the city’s • Further opportunities for self- heritage offering, building on its guided bridge tours using new 3 own commitment to education. technology Opportunities will be created to The aim is to encourage people to connect the bridge and river with find out more about the bridges and

the rest of Rochester’s historic Bridge Heritage Quarter the work that goes in to managing attractions by working with other and maintaining safe and usable organisations to signpost visitors to river crossings. the additional features of interest. The Trust is looking forward to The plans include a dedicated bringing the bridges back to their Bridge Learning Centre within the 1. Bridge Chapel and Chamber

Bridge Heritage Quarter rightful place at the heart of the structure of the Old Bridge. Subject 2. Bridges story of Rochester. to planning permission, this could 3. Bridge Learning Centre 8 include: 9 The refurbishment is an opportunity • An enhancement scheme for to carry out significant maintenance Rochester Esplanade beside the Rochester’s bridges and improvements, including: Old Bridge which creates a space to linger and enjoy the river views • Repairing and replacing and uses street features to tell components to ensure the the story of the bridges bridges remain safe and usable today and tomorrow for the long-term • Public engagement to inform and educate the community: • Improving features such as the - An education programme to ornate lighting: engage with young people - Renovated and upgraded - Activities to inspire the next The Trust is at an exciting new phase in its history of - Better performance with generation of civil engineers preserving and promoting Rochester’s built heritage, in the minimal environmental - Talks and displays to keep impact the community updated form of a multi-million pound refurbishment of Rochester’s - Lanterns faithful to the bridges and the part of the Esplanade it owns. design of the original Public communication about the Victorian gas lamps project is being carried out through - Discreet LED lighting to the refurbishment pages on the enable the Old Bridge to Trust’s website, social media, be illuminated in different engineer-led tours and a series of colours lectures and exhibitions. Bridge Heritage Quarter Bridge Heritage Quarter

10 11 Bridge Heritage Quarter St Andrew’s House, e [email protected] The Precinct, Rochester, t 01634 846 706 Kent, ME1 1SU w rbt.org.uk 12