It’s definitely beginning to look a lot like Christmas in London—Christmas lights are twinkling and there are too many Christmas markets in the city to choose from. Sure, Winter Wonderland is always a festive hit, but this year, Rochester Christmas Market is serving all the festive cheer in the grounds of a medieval castle—and it’s only a two-hour drive from London.
A charming Christmas market just two hours from London
Rochester is a historic English town that inspired some of Charles Dickens’ most beloved stories, most notably ‘Great Expectations’. The town truly comes to life during the festive season, and this winter, the 11th-century Rochester Castle and its adjacent gardens provide the enchanting backdrop for Rochester’s Christmas market.
This year, Rochester Christmas Market will feature over 120 stallsshowcasing the best artisan traders from Kent and across South East England. Visitors can browse a range of unique gifts, including handmade candles, soaps, jewellery, Christmas decorations and ornaments, alongside baked goods and festive treats.
There’s also a Bavarian food village serving everything from Christmas dinner wraps to bratwursts, hog roasts, churros and more. And of course, there are plenty of stalls selling Glühwein, German beer and hot chocolate. Seating areas in the food village come equipped with heaters, but we still highly recommend wrapping up warm.
As you wander through the market, you’ll soon come across the child-friendly funfair featuring a Ferris wheel, carousel, a swing ride and more. Throughout the day, local bands and artists also take to the bandstand stage to bring some live music magic to marketgoers. Expect renditions of classic Christmas carols alongside covers of contemporary hits by the likes of Mariah Carey, Michael Bublé and Wham!
Rochester Christmas Market 2025: dates and opening hours
This year, the market opens its doors on 28 November and will then continue every weekend until 14 December. It’s open from 12pm to 9pm on Fridays; 10am to 9pm on Saturdays; and 10am to 6pm on Sundays.
Getting to Rochester Christmas Market from London
Trains run frequently from London Victoria station to Rochester, with journeys taking between 40 and 60 minutes depending on the service. Driving from the city takes just under two hours on the A2. There’s no on-site parking at Rochester Christmas Market, but there are several pay-and-display car parks nearby (Corporation Street Car Park is a popular choice).
