Restoration House
Restoration House
5
About
Ancient mansion house in historic Rochester. Just off the High St., this house is like entering into another world. The rooms have an historic ambience, with early surviving paint schemes and original floors, windows and furnished with fine English furniture and portraits. The gardens are exceptionally well maintained in classic English style, with immaculate lawns, yew hedges, topiary, an astonishing geometric parterre. There is a lush cutting garden which supplies flowers for the arrangements in the house. After 7 years of restoration the so called Tudor garden is emerging as an Italian water garden with statues and fountains, the water sourced from the aquifer and recycled through a gravity feed system. This private gem is open to the public on a restricted basis, on Thursdays and Fridays from the end of May to the end of September. If you're in the area (on an open day), make sure you don't miss out. This is a real treat!
Duration: 1-2 hours
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5.0
111 reviews
Excellent
89
Very good
18
Average
3
Poor
1
Terrible
0
Suzanne1London
London591 contributions
June 2022
Firstly I would like to thank Robert Tucker and Jonathan Wilmott rescuing this outstanding house and for restoring with such care. not only the house but also the gardens.
We were warmly greeted by a charming lady, who advised us to visit the gardens first as a larger party were going to have a tour at 11.So, we enjoyed the gardens quirkiness, something to see around every hedge.
The house is unique and filled with so many gorgeous items, you need more than one visit to fully appreciate what there is to see.
The volunteers who tell you the history from room to room, with such enthusiasm they are a joy to listen to.
Thank you for sharing your home.
We were warmly greeted by a charming lady, who advised us to visit the gardens first as a larger party were going to have a tour at 11.So, we enjoyed the gardens quirkiness, something to see around every hedge.
The house is unique and filled with so many gorgeous items, you need more than one visit to fully appreciate what there is to see.
The volunteers who tell you the history from room to room, with such enthusiasm they are a joy to listen to.
Thank you for sharing your home.
Written 23 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kinga K
Acton, UK266 contributions
July 2022 • Friends
This is an amazing place filled with history and historical items. It’s only open a few times a year as it is still inhabited by the owners of the property. For this reason inside the house it is prohibited to take pictures and at the entrance visitors are required to put their bags and phones/cameras in secure lockers. Once you finished visiting the house you can take your belongings and admire the beautiful gardens and take as many pictures as you like. The volunteers inside each room of the house are very knowledgeable and always happy to help. All the rooms are decorated according to the period the house belongs to and everything is refurbished and preserved to mirror the houses historical past. The gardens are beautiful and well maintained and there’s even a cafe that serves cakes tea and coffee in the gardens. It’s a magnificent place that takes you back to the past
Written 18 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
phil h
Rochester, UK77 contributions
June 2022 • Family
Spent 2.5 hours here , a lovely home still lived in, the furnishings are 16th to 17th century all bought in by the current owners as the house was bought as a shell only and is being restored by them. A good history with knowledgeable custodians in the rooms to inform and guide you. Beautiful gardens and quite extensive well set out, fountains hedges and flowers. Well worth a visit.
Written 23 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KentMrsH
Kent, UK79 contributions
Aug 2023
Restoration House is a marvellous place to visit. It has such an interesting history and houses an eclectic mix of paintings, furniture and interesting objects. There is so much to look at in every room that you could make numerous visits and see something new every time. The room guides are friendly and happily share a wealth of information that brings the place alive. The house has an intimate feel which, I imagine, comes from the owners being in residence.
The garden is gorgeous, with different areas to wander around.
The tea and homemade cake are most enjoyable too!
The garden is gorgeous, with different areas to wander around.
The tea and homemade cake are most enjoyable too!
Written 10 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
436Fiona
London, UK13 contributions
Sept 2024 • Couples
The reality of this place is so much more than any photos can show. It’s an absolute gem. The astonishing art collection alone would be worth a visit, but the lovingly restored house- still the home of its rescuers- is breathtaking. The colours, textures, attention to detail… one visit is certainly not enough
Written 5 September 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
G07
London, UK412 contributions
Sept 2023 • Family
An incredible house with beautiful gardens. Well worth a visit. There is a small cafe. The house was owned by Rod Hull who went bankrupt. Bought by Mr Tucker and Mr Wilmot who have done a wonderful job restoring the house and gardens. The staff were very informative and friendly giving information on its history and the contents.
Written 21 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Willie_Bucket
Sidcup, UK522 contributions
Aug 2021 • Couples
Went with my wife today as stop off on our way back home from Whitstable. The Restoration House had popped up in my fb feed and we thought it would be worth a visit. It certainly was worth visiting. It's only open Thursdays and Fridays from June to September. The house is very quirky to say the least and full of art. There are even Gainsborough and Reynolds paintings. No photos allowed in the house sadly but pics are okay in the garden. The coffees and cakes are lovely and the staff are wonderful.
Written 13 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mas
Rochester, UK13 contributions
Aug 2021 • Solo
We’ve lived in Rochester for 6 years and finally managed to visit this week. The garden is so beautiful and peaceful and lots of benches and chairs dotted throughout so you can sit and take it all in. The house has been beautifully restored and the custodians are extremely friendly and knowledgeable. We spent a lot longer there than we expected. Definitely worth a visit.
Written 7 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
David T
Chatham, UK39 contributions
Aug 2022
Having lived in the area for many years, this is the first time I had visited . What a treat. The house itself is fascinating. Very well presented with knowledgeable volunteers on hand to give you a history of the house and it’s contents. The garden is a pure joy and so unexpected. There is no hint of the delights to be found when you see the house from the road. Given its city centre location you expect perhaps a courtyard. Instead the gardens are extensive with fountains and water features, many unusual plants and all beautifully tended. The house also has a cosy tea room. I’m so happy to find the delights of this historic location.
Written 19 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Edna Turnlad
Belvedere, UK136 contributions
Sept 2024 • Solo
What a hidden gem ! Restoration House in Rochester . Not over priced . Absolutely beautiful gardens and house was lovely , pleasently surprised . Will definitely go again next year . Four stars because it could be open an extra day and I didn’t know there was a tea room there which looked welcoming.
Written 8 September 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Well there are city car parks - and all within walking distance I think. We parked up and just walked everywhere but really wasn't tracking how far from the car were were going.
Written 26 September 2019
Max 2 hours free roadside parking within one minute's walk; pay and display car parking within five (off the High Street). Hope this helps.
Written 26 September 2019
Is Restoration House open on Monday 16th November?
Written 6 November 2015
How long does it take to view the house and gardens?
Written 27 August 2015
How long does it take to view the house and gardens?
Written 27 August 2015
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