The River Medway has been of vital importance in the establishment and maintenance, through history's ups and downs, of Rochester, Chatham and Gillingham, known as the Medway Towns. The Roman's recognised the river's strategic value and built the early Rochester, Durobrivae or 'stronghold by the bridge'. The Norman's built both castle and cathedral, the Knights Templar passed through on their way to the Crusades and in the 13th century Temple Manor in Strood was their lodging house.

Succeeding centuries saw the erection of many fine buildings such as the Guildhall (now an exciting museum) in 1687, said to be one of the finest 17th century civic buildings in Kent, the Corn Exchange in 1698, originally the Butcher's Market, the small Tudor house of Watts Charity endowed by Sir Richard Watts to house 'six poor travelers' for one night each, Satis House and Old Hall, both visited by Queen Elizabeth I in 1573. There are others too numerous to mention.

The square keep of the castle towers over the river. Begun by Bishop Gundulf in 1087 on the site of the Roman fort, the castle is one of the best preserved examples of Norman architecture in this country. Across the Castle Green, almost dwarfed as you look down, lies the cathedral. Founded in 604, the second oldest cathedral in England, it contains medieval wall paintings, 13th century choir stalls and an air of peace and tranquility. The original Deanery is now St Andrew's Visitors Centre beside the cathedral gardens, through which visitors can stroll to the High Street.

The whole area is rich in diverse histories - maritime, literary (Dickens above all), architectural and military. Fort Amherst was built in 1856 to protect the dockyard, now a museum, the cannons may still be heard during re-enactments of history and there are guided tours of the underground tunnels. Fort Pitt was built during the Napoleonic Wars, where the Rochester upon Medway College now stands.

Charles Dickens dominated the literary associations with the Medway Towns, and Eastgate House, bought in 1897 by the City of Rochester as a museum to honour Queen Victoria's Jubilee, has become the Charles Dickens Centre. his Swiss Chalet study now stands in the gardens.

Many famous people have been associated with the Towns, King John led a siege against the castle in 1215, Sir Francis Drakelearned his seamanship on the Medway, Sir John Hawkins, founded a hospital in Chatham for seamen, and Admiral Nelson began his Navy service at Chatham at the age of 12, the Victory being built, and then launched there in 1765. William Adams, the first Englishman to reach Japan, was born in Gillingham. One reminder of the glorious past of the Royal Naval Dockyard has returned, the last submarine to be built in Chatham, HMS Ocelot, is now a visitor attraction at Chatham Maritime Museum.