History isn't the only thing Rochester has to offer; it's the place where you can enjoy and explore unique independent businesses to make that truly special trip out when visiting Medway.
Famous for its connections with the author, Charles Dickens it has maintained much of its Victorian charm and is packed with independent specialty shops where you can uncover unusual gifts or souvenirs to take home.
Let's not waste any time and go see what's on offer...
I Dig Dinos
I Dig Dinos, a gift shop on the high street that specialises in fossils, minerals and history based gifts.
Located in the centre of the High Street, this is a popular shop for collectors. A small family-run business with an emphasis on affordable fossils, minerals, and dinosaur-related items.
Here you will find just about everything a new or experienced fossil collector and dinosaur fan could need.
Baggins Books Bazaar
Rochester is home to England's largest secondhand bookshop. Baggins Book Bazaar is a treasure trove for book lovers, with thousands of books on most subjects, including children's and fiction.
Located in the historic heart of Rochester, just a stone's throw from the castle and cathedral and adjacent to the Guildhall Museum.
Baggins is one of many independent shops on the charming high street.
Kaizen Antiques & Jewellery
Kaizen Antiques & Jewellery has been a well-established shop in the centre of historic Rochester.
The shop has a fantastic reputation within Rochester and the surrounding area, with people travelling from all over the world to visit the shop or commission jewellery from the onsite workshop.
The shop is a treasure trove of beautiful jewellery, antique furniture, silver, paintings, and ceramics, with people often comparing the shop to "Aladdin’s Cave."
Kiss Kiss Heart & Rocket
Two distinct boutique shops under one ownership, each with its own distinct personality.
Rocket - a fun shop with a mix of modern, trendy fashion, homeware, and giftware. Embracing all things vintage and have a strong love for the 1950s.
Kiss Kiss Heart - thoughtful brands with strong ethical and quality values, that make them a bit more special than usual. A huge selection of lighting, furniture, home fragrance, ornaments, and faux flowers, spanning styles from industrial to hygge.
Get Ready Comics
One of the newest arrivals on the High Street.
Get Ready Comic is a fun shop, selling American comics, subscriptions, graphic novels, comic supplies, action figures, t-shirts, pop vinyl, and cult entertainment merchandise.
This is the place to go if you want to buy merchandise featuring your favourite characters!
Fieldstaff Antiques
Established on Rochester's High Street for over thirty years, offering three floors of showrooms.
Fieldstaff Antiques specialises in antiques and collectables, including a wide variety of furniture, silver, glass, ceramics, records, costume jewellery and vintage clothing and accessories.
Rochester Vintage & Artisan Market
Beautiful handmade crafts, works of art, and collectibles Tempting cakes, pastries, preserves, and much more.
The artisan market is held every second Saturday of each month from 10am to 3pm. Stalls are located at various locations on the High Street.
This independently-run market was formed in 2017 by the Rochester Traders Forum. Any profits made by the forum are used to improve the High Street, such as through summer flowers in the lampposts or other projects.
Only a few independent shops are featured in this blog, there are plenty more to explore.
If visiting Rochester in the winter months, it's worth checking this website for details on the Rochester Christmas Market, held over three consecutive weekends in November/December and coinciding with the Rochester Dickensian Christmas weekend.
Plan your Visit
- Places to Stay
- Places to Visit
- What's On
