Rochester (2), Kent
Eastgate House is built of timber and brick, dates from 1590, and is an excellent example of an Elizabethan town house .
Eastgate House features as Westgate in Dickens' novel, Pickwick Papers and as the Nun's House in The Mystery of Edwin Drood.
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At the rear of Eastgate House is the Swiss Chalet that Dickens used when he was writing. It was given to Dickens as a present from an actor friend called Charles Fechter, and it arrived at Higham Railway Station on Christmas Eve 1864, packed in 58 boxes!
The Chalet was originally at Dickens own house and was moved here in 1960.
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Restoration House, in Crow Lane, is actually the amalgamation, during the late 16th or early 17th century, of two medieval houses to form a mansion house. The house has that name because King Charles II stayed here on the eve of the Restoration of the monarchy.
It is also the Satis House of Dickens' "Great Expectations" - the home of Miss Havisham.
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Opposite Restoration House is The Vines. It was originally a vinyard for the local abbey but is now a public park.
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Built in the early part of the 15th century Chertsey's Gate, sometimes called College Gate, is one of three remaining gates which led into the former monastic precinct.
It is also featured in Charles Dickens' novel "The mystery of Edwin Drood" as "Jasper's Gate".
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