Rochester Sweeps Festival

21/05/2026

Did you attend Rochester Sweeps Festival 2026?

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02/05/2026

The Silver Darlings will be in Rochester Cathedral Ithamar Crypt on Monday

01/05/2026

Coming on Monday 4th May

30/04/2026

Looking forward to Hook Eagle Morris!

30/04/2026

https://www.visitmedway.org/events/rochester-sweeps-festival-157112/ Updated programme now available. Former Gordon Hotel evening gigs are now at the Rising Sun and daytime events will be at the Corn Exchange.

Rochester Sweeps Festival

28/04/2026

Guildhall concerts, admission and Sweeps memorabilia display are all free this weekend.
THE GUILDHALL CONCERTS
A series of three concerts in the Guildhall, plus St George & The Dragon Mummers Play

Saturday 2nd May, 11am – Guildhall Museum

KIMBER’S MEN

A chance to be part of a special acoustic concert with England’s top shanty and harmony group. They tour and are in demand all over Europe particularly at maritime festivals. A great opportunity to join in singing choruses in the historic setting of Rochester’s Guildhall.

2pm and 3.30pm: St George & The Dragon Mummers Play with the Kentish Hooden Horses

Sunday 3rd May, 11am – Guildhall Museum

SALLY IRONMONGER & BRIAN CARTER

Medway’s own songsters with carefully crafted lyrics about the Medway Towns. Great vocals and superb guitar accompaniment served up with dynamic presentation.

2pm and 3.30pm: St George & The Dragon Mummers Play with the Kentish Hooden Horses

Monday 4th May, 11am – Guildhall Museum

ASHEN KEYS plus FOUR GONE CONFUSION

For lovers of acoustic folk music, there’s nothing better than to listen to these two acts, the all female multi instrumentalists Ashen Keys, supported by folk club stalwarts Four Gone Confusion with classy guitars and vocal harmonies.

27/04/2026

Date:
3 May - 3 May 2026 11:59 PM

Routes affected:
Southeastern between London Victoria and Dover Priory / Ramsgate and also between London St Pancras International and Ramsgate Thameslink between Kentish Town and Rainham (Kent)

Engineering work is taking place between Sole Street / Strood and Rainham (Kent), closing all lines.

Southeastern:

Sole Street Line: Trains between London Victoria and Ramsgate / Dover Priory via Chatham will only run between London Victoria and Sole Street. Additional trains will run between Rainham and Ramsgate* / Dover Priory.

* The 06:02 Ramsgate to Rainham will start from Herne Bay at 06:30. An accessible bus will leave Ramsgate at 05:28 to connect with this train. The first train from Ramsgate will be the 07:02 Ramsgate to Rainham.

Highspeed via Gravesend: Trains between London St Pancras International and Ramsgate via Faversham will only run between London St Pancras International and Strood.

Highspeed via Ashford International: Trains between London St Pancras International and Margate via Canterbury West will be extended after Margate to run to and from Faversham.

Sheerness Line: Trains between Sittingbourne and Sheerness-on-Sea will run at different times than usual.

Bexleyheath Line: Trains which usually only run between London Victoria and Dartford via Bexleyheath will be extended to run to / from Strood.

Accessible replacement buses will run between:

Meopham and Rainham calling at all stations except Sole Street
Strood and Rainham calling at all stations
The following stations will be closed all day and only served by replacement buses:

Rochester
Chatham
Gillingham
Thameslink:
Thameslink services will only run between Kentish Town / Dartford and Gravesend.

27/04/2026

Travelling to the festival
Due to the popular nature of the event, travelling via public transportation is recommended.

Medway’s free bus weekend will be active during the entirety of the festival, with Nu Venture also operating a free park and ride service from the University of Greenwich (Medway Campus). For returning visitors, please note Jackson’s Field is not available for use.

Arriva also provide 10-minute bus services between historic Rochester and Chatham Maritime, as well as other services throughout Medway for local visitors.

For those visiting from further-afield, Rochester train station is just a few minutes walk from the festivities on the high-street and is just a 34-minute journey from central London. There are also direct trains from surrounding areas such as Canterbury, Gravesend and Sittingbourne – find out more on Southeastern’s website.

See the latest updates on our website.

News archive

18/04/2026

Another one for the memorabilia display. Anyone know the year?