Forthcoming Events
Drawing Workshops at the Bridge Chamber |
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Drawing Workshop: Landmark Illustrations A fun and relaxed drawing workshop led by local artist, Kerry Jackson-Standen. This workshop will focus on the rich history of Rochester and take inspiration from the many remarkable local landmarks including Rochester Cathedral, Eastgate House and Restoration House. |
Date: Wednesday 26 August Time: 6-8pm Tickets are free and refreshments will be available. No prior drawing experience necessary! Attendees are allowed to book multiple tickets however it is asked that these are booked one at a time, providing the name of each guest in the booking. Book online via Eventbrite |
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Drawing Workshop: Stained Glass Sketches with Colour A fun and relaxed drawing workshop led by local artist, Kerry Jackson-Standen. This workshop will provide an opportunity to sketch the vibrant stained-glass windows in the medieval Chapel and Victorian Chamber. |
Date: Wednesday 16 September Time: 6-8pm Tickets are free and refreshments will be available. No prior drawing experience necessary! Attendees are allowed to book multiple tickets however it is asked that these are booked one at a time, providing the name of each guest in the booking. Book online via Eventbrite |
Bridge Chapel lectures |
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The History of English Bridge Chapels Discover the fascinating history of the bridge chapel, of which there is a rare surviving example in Rochester. Originating in the late Roman period, bridge chapels appeared in England in the 12th century and served many functions including as fisheries, housing, shops and prisons. In this talk Sue Threader will explore what is a bridge chapel? Why do only 6 survive in England? Why did the great and good use their funds to build these structures? Looking at examples from across the country, from Exeter to Durham, this talk will unravel the long and intriguing history of these unique buildings. Sue Threader is the Bridge Clerk (Chief Executive) of the Rochester Bridge Trust. She is a Chartered Civil Engineer, Fellow of the Institution of Civil Engineers and Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Engineers. She is a Trustee of the Tenancy Deposit Scheme Charitable Foundation and one of two elected Bridgemasters of London and the first woman to hold that position. |
Date:Thursday 30 July Time: 6:30pm- 7:30pm Price: Free Tickets are free but must be booked. Doors open at 6pm for a 6.30pm start. Refreshments available. Attendees are allowed to book multiple tickets, but it is asked that these are booked one at a time, providing the name of each guest in the booking. Book online via Eventbrite |
Open Days |
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Summer Open Days The Bridge Chapel and Chamber will soon be open for the summer season. Come and visit in June, July and August. Free entry – no booking required. Come and discover the rare surviving medieval Bridge Chapel built in 1393 as a place for travellers and pilgrims to pray for a safe journey and sensitively restored in 1937 by the RIBA Gold Medal winning architect Sir Herbert Baker. On display for the first time since it was acquired by the Trust, visitors will be able to view ‘The Crown looking on to Rochester Bridge’ by Tracey Emin, created during her time as a student at Maidstone College of Art. Visitors can also explore the Victorian Bridge Chamber and enjoy beautiful views over the river and castle. There will be a selection of archaeological finds on display and visitors can soak in the atmosphere of these historic buildings. |
Open every Saturday 11am-4pm and the first Wednesday of each month, from June-August. |
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Heritage Open Days Bridge Chapel, 5 Esplanade, Rochester, ME1 1QE View the fully-accessible medieval Bridge Chapel and Victorian Bridge Chamber in all their glory, where you will be able to take a closer look at the paintings and furniture as they are used for formal meetings of the Court of Wardens and Assistants. Entry is free. |
12, 13, 19, 20 September 2026 11am-4pm |
External Events |
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Tripartite Trans-Atlantic Cable webinar series Bridge Clerk Sue Threader presents a lecture on the history of pneumatic cassions. First used by Sir William Cubitt at Rochester, they were later exported to the Eads Bridge and, famously, the Brooklyn Bridge. |
The lecture was presented on 22 November 2023, and can now be viewed here. |
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Tripartite Trans-Atlantic Cable webinar series Richard Groome, a Liveryman in the City of London, presents the history of four London Bridges, with a particular reference to the Rennie Bridge that is now in Lake Havasu City, USA. John Rennie is a former Bridge Engineer to the Rochester Bridge Trust. |
The lecture was presented on 22 May 2024, and can now be viewed here. |