Rochester - Eastgate House / Charles Dickens Centre

The High Street goes downhill, past the remains of the medieval town walls, until Eastgate House is reached, built in 1590 for Sir Peter Buck, naval officer and mayor of Rochester. The house now houses the Charles Dickens Centre, in which the writer's works are brought to life by means of modern audio-visual methods. Under the name of "Nun's House" the house also features in "Edwin Drood". In the courtyard can be seen the original Swiss chalet which Dickens was given by the French actor Charles Fechter. Dickens had it installed in Gads Hill and during the summer used to spend most of his time in it.