A Guide to... Charles Dickens' Kent

​This coastal county boasts a wealth of landmarks, from Canterbury Cathedral to the legendary White Cliffs of Dover. As a young boy, Charles Dickens spent several years in Kent and would later recall the period as the happiest years of his childhood. Dickens maintained strong ties to the area and set several of his novels here. And as Dickens used many real places for inspiration, it's easy to follow in the footsteps of his characters. 
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Rochester and Chatham 

​Situated on the River Medway, the twin towns of Rochester and Chatham played an important role in the life of Dickens.  And with its half-timbered buildings and Victorian street lamps, Rochester lends itself perfectly to a Dickensian getaway.  All around the town, plaques indicate the places featured in Dickens' works. And the annual Dickens Christmas Market celebrates the author's great Christmas classics. 
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Gads Hill 
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Built for the Mayor of Rochester in 1780, this stately home would have been the finest in the area when Charles Dickens was growing up. He first visited Gads Hill as a young boy with his father, who told him that if he were to work hard enough he might one day own such a house. Dickens must have taken that statement to heart, because he purchased the property in 1857 and lived here until his death in 1870. Since the 1920’s, the house has been the site of Gads Hill School and is only open to visitors on the first Sunday of the month from May till October. Construction on a new school is currently underway, allowing for plans to turn the house into a Dickens heritage centre. 
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Chatham Dockyard
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When Charles Dickens was five years old, his father was assigned as a Naval Pay officer at Chatham Dockyard. The family stayed in Chatham for five years, until financial ruin forced them to move to London. The Dickens lived in two different houses during their time in Chatham, one of which is still standing today at 11 Ordnance Terrace (Formerly No. 2).  Just a short walk from the dockyard, the house is not open to visitors. 

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​Chalk

​Named for a by-product of the area's famous white cliffs,  this coastal village's biggest claim to fame is that Charles Dickens came here on his honeymoon in 1836. The house where Dickens and his new bride, Catherine Hogarth, stayed still stands in the village centre Craddock’s Cottage (pictured), a quaint wooden structure in the village centre. The landlady’s name featured in The Pickwick Papers, which Dickens began writing here. 

​The Old Forge 

On the corner of Forge Lane and Lower Higham Road, The Forge was once owned by Dickens’ friend, Oscar Mullender. The character of Joe Gargery, the gentle giant blacksmith in Great Expectations, was most likely based on Mullender. Making this the forge, where Joe takes Pip on as an apprentice. 
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​Canterbury

Forever linked with Chaucer's Canterbury Tales, this ancient cathedral city boasts some other literary connections. Jane Austen visited Canterbury on several occasions while staying with her brother at nearby Godmersham Park. Charles Dickens was also a regular visitor and the city features prominently in his novel David Copperfield. Although  many of the places Dickens would have known were destroyed during the Blitz, you can still visit the Sun Hotel, which inspired the “little inn” where David Copperfield meets Mr and Mrs Micawber. 

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​Broadstairs

Nestled between the larger seaside resorts of Ramsgate and Margate, Broadstairs is one of Kent's most charming coastal towns. The area first became a tourist destination in the 19th Century and has remained popular with British holiday-makers ever since.  Charles Dickens frequented the resort, spending at least one month here every summer from 1839 to 1851. 

​Today locals are very proud of the Dickens association and celebrate the author with an annual summer festival, where participants come dressed in period costume and even Victorian beachwear. In addition to the festival, there's plenty here to attract Dickens fans, including a dedicated Dickens museum and an array of Dickens-themed establishments such as The Old Curiosity Shop, Barnaby Rudge Pub, and the Dickens' Pantry.
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​Bleak House

Overlooking the golden beaches of Viking Bay, this 19th Century fort was built as an observation station for the North Cliff Battery. Charles Dickens lived here between 1837 and 1859. Here finished work on David Copperfield and was inspired to write Bleak House. It was originally named Fort House and later changed to Bleak House as a tribute. Today the site houses a Smuggling Museum, but is also open for tours of Dickens' study. 
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​Dickens' House Museum

This terraced cottage on Victoria Parade belonged to Miss Mary Pearson, a friend of Charles Dickens, who is thought to have inspired the character of Betsey Trotwood in David Copperfield. Located close to the seafront on Victoria Parade, the cottage now houses an excellent Dickens museum. 
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​The Royal Albion
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One of Dickens’ favourite holiday spots, this 18th Century hotel offers sweeping views of the seafront. Dickens came here regularly until he purchased Bleak House and became very good friends with the hotel’s owner Mr Ballard. 

​The Tartar Frigate 
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Dickens described this 18th Century pub as "the coziest little sailor’s inn that is to be met around the coast". While living in Broadstairs, this became his favourite watering hole and he'd regularly spend evenings here listening to the tales of local fishermen. Located on Harbour Street, The Tartar Frigate is still a lively pub with a good seafood menu and views of Viking Bay.