The Rochester Bridge Trust

The Rochester Bridge Trust Providing passage over, under or across the River Medway from medieval times to the modern day. Welcome to the website of The Rochester Bridge Trust.

Since Roman times a bridge has crossed the River Medway at Rochester, and since medieval times the Wardens and Assistants of Rochester Bridge have maintained this strategic river crossing. Today the Trust owns and maintains the two road bridges and the service bridge over the Medway at Rochester, crossings as important for today's traffic and modern life as at any time in our history. Over the cen

turies the Trust has also contributed toward the cost of bridges at Tonbridge, Yalding, East Peckham, Wateringbury, and Maidstone, and more recently took a leading role in the construction of the Medway Tunnel. In addition to this core purpose of funding crossings over or under the River Medway, the Trust makes grants for engineering and agricultural education, for repair of historic structures and historical research projects within the area of the ancient county of Kent and other locations where the Trust owns property. The Trust’s income is derived from 14th century land and financial endowments and its services are provided free of cost to the public.

We finished last week at St. Mary’s Church in Hunton with a talk from Sue, our Chief Executive, to a capacity audience. ...
07/09/2026

We finished last week at St. Mary’s Church in Hunton with a talk from Sue, our Chief Executive, to a capacity audience. Sue explored the long and lively history of the Fanes, a local family with historic links both to the church and the Rochester Bridge Trust.

The Fanes were a prominent family locally and nationally. Elaborate memorials to members of the family are a striking feature at St. Mary’s. You can see one particularly ornate example on the left hand column in the photo of the lecture – it’s so large that some of the original medieval stonework was cut away to accommodate it in the eighteenth century. The Fane family also left their mark on the Rochester Bridge Trust’s history, with many members serving as part of the Court (trustees).

We were also happy to pay another visit to St. Mary’s after aiding them in restoring the roof of the tower with a grant.

You can read more about our grants on our website: https://rbt.org.uk/grants-and-scholarships/

On the one hand, the nights may be drawing in. On the other, that means more chances to catch the enhancement lighting o...
05/09/2026

On the one hand, the nights may be drawing in. On the other, that means more chances to catch the enhancement lighting on the Old Bridge!

Look out tonight (5 September) as we light up the bridge in orange to mark UN International Day of Charity.

The UN International Day of Charity celebrates the many ways charitable efforts help improve society around the world - including improving access to education and the preservation of heritage which are two areas that are important to the Rochester Bridge Trust.

Colourful lighting will next return to the Old Bridge on 9 September for Emergency Services Day. You can view the full enhancement lighting schedule on our website: https://rbt.org.uk/bridges/current-bridges/the-old-bridge/old-bridge-enhancement-lighting-programme-2026/

Join us at the beautiful St. Mary’s Church in Hunton for a talk about a remarkable Kent family. There’s still time to bo...
02/09/2026

Join us at the beautiful St. Mary’s Church in Hunton for a talk about a remarkable Kent family.

There’s still time to book a place at the talk by Sue Threader, Bridge Clerk (Chief Executive) of the Rochester Bridge Trust, which takes place at 6.30pm tomorrow (3 September).

Sue's talk will examine the Fanes, a family who were deeply rooted in Kent but also linked to historical figures as diverse as Thomas Cromwell and Queen Elizabeth I. The family’s prominence is still evident today, in the impressive memorials to Sir Thomas and Lady Helen Fane at St. Mary’s Church.

Sir Thomas Fane also played an active role in local life, and was appointed to the Rochester Bridge Trust at a key point in its history.

You can book your place by emailing [email protected]. There is a suggested £5 donation to the church. Both prosecco and elderflower cordial will be served to guests.

You can read more on our Events page: https://rbt.org.uk/events-resources/forthcoming-events/

*Open tomorrow, 11am-4pm, Saturday 29 August*Tomorrow is your last chance to visit the Bridge Chapel and Chamber before ...
28/08/2026

*Open tomorrow, 11am-4pm, Saturday 29 August*

Tomorrow is your last chance to visit the Bridge Chapel and Chamber before the Heritage Open Days bring the crowds in September.

These historic buildings are open from 11am to 4pm and are free to visit.

Come and see the historic medieval Bridge Chapel and Victorian Bridge Chamber and explore the Trust's art collection, including an early work by Dame Tracey Emin.

Read more about upcoming events on our website: https://rbt.org.uk/events-resources/forthcoming-events/

28/08/2026

Join us at 6.30pm on 3 September at St. Mary’s Church, Hunton, for a talk on the Fane family - a local family who found themselves at the centre of national affairs.

The Fanes were a Kent family, but they had links to the Black Prince, Thomas Cromwell and Queen Elizabeth I. Impressive memorials to Sir Thomas and Lady Helen Fane still hold pride of place at St. Mary's Church in Hunton.

Our Bridge Clerk (Chief Executive) Sue Threader will discuss the deep connection between this remarkable family and the Rochester Bridge Trust - a connection more than four centuries old.

You can book your place by emailing [email protected]. There is a suggested £5 donation to the church. Both prosecco and elderflower will be served to guests.

You can read more about this event on our website: https://rbt.org.uk/events-resources/forthcoming-events/

25/08/2026

We are offering Deaf-led British Sign Language tours of Rochester Bridge, the Bridge Chapel, and Bridge Chamber.

Places are going quickly, but if you can't get a place on your preferred tour, we can add you to the waiting list.

Join experienced deaf guide and historian, John Wilson, for a British Sign Language tour of a unique heritage site on the banks of the River Medway.

You will have the opportunity to explore a rare surviving medieval Bridge Chapel and Victorian Bridge Chamber followed by a behind-the-scenes hard hat tour of Rochester Bridge.

The tour is aimed at Deaf and Hard of Hearing visitors and will be delivered in British Sign Language.

Tours are available on:
- Thursday 17 September at 11.30am for step free experience only [2 spaces left]
Wednesday 7 October at 11.30am - for both step free and full access experiences [8 spaces left]

Please specify your access requirements when booking.

Tickets are free and can be booked by emailing [email protected].

For more information about these tours, visit our British Sign Language Tours page: https://rbt.org.uk/events-resources/british-sign-language-tours/

22/08/2026

*Open today 11am to 4pm at Number 5, Rochester Esplanade*

The Bridge Chapel and Chamber are open again today until 4pm, with paintings by artists such as Tracey Emin on display, as well as historical information and artefacts from the Rochester Bridge Trust's long history. All of this is set in two ornate historic buildings, restored by famous architect Sir Herbert Baker in the 1930s.

Entry is free. Step free access and a sesame lift are available.

Find out more about what's on at the Trust at: https://rbt.org.uk/events-resources/forthcoming-events/

The Trust was happy to support The Smallpeice Trust's Exploring Engineering residential at The University of Bath last w...
20/08/2026

The Trust was happy to support The Smallpeice Trust's Exploring Engineering residential at The University of Bath last week.

The residential gave year 10 students the chance to design and construct their own model bridges, and speak first-hand with engineers about a career in the sector.

Some of the Rochester Bridge Trust's Bridge Team joined the students, with team member Helen sharing her own experiences of working as a Bridge Engineer, as well as offering students a sneak peek into an exciting project which we're looking forward to showing you soon.

The Trust offers scholarships to help students planning to study civil engineering. You can find out more on our Grants and Scholarships pages: https://rbt.org.uk/grants-and-scholarships/

14/08/2026

*Open 11am to 4pm tomorrow at Number 5, Rochester Esplanade*

Come and visit the Bridge Chapel and Chamber, a unique historic building in the heart of Rochester, with artwork (including by Tracey Emin), and information about the long history Rochester Bridge Trust and the crossings it has managed over the River Medway since 1399.

Entry is free and the building includes a sesame lift for step-free access.

Find out more about what's on at the Trust at: https://rbt.org.uk/events-resources/forthcoming-events/

Address

5 Esplanade
Rochester
ME11QE

Telephone

01634 846706

Website

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