Country houses
Restoration House: a chauffeured day
Restoration House, with the car waiting while you visit. Restoration House combines two medieval buildings, joined in the late 16th or early 17th century into a mansion beside Rochester's city wall. The house is the Satis House of Dickens' Great Expectations, home of Miss Havisham. Samuel Pepys described it as the pretty seat of Sir Francis Clerke. Opening: house and garden open on Thursdays and Fridays from 11 June to 25 September 2026, 10am to 5pm, plus Saturday 11 July only from noon to 5pm.
How the day runs
By road: Mayfair 1 hr 7 min, Heathrow 1 hr 7 min, Oxford 1 hr 52 min. For lunch or a night, Chilston Park is around 30 minutes away. Ightham Mote is around 35 minutes on if you want a second house. While you visit, the car waits close by and is waiting when you come out.
- Mayfair, London to Restoration House1 hr 7 min, 33.5 miles, in clear traffic
- Heathrow Airport to Restoration House1 hr 7 min, 69.2 miles, in clear traffic
- Oxford to Restoration House1 hr 52 min, 111.4 miles, in clear traffic
Times are for clear roads. Allow longer on event days and at peak hours.
Worth knowing
Restoration House combines two medieval buildings, joined in the late 16th or early 17th century into a mansion beside Rochester's city wall.
Source: restorationhouse.co.ukIt is the Satis House of Dickens' Great Expectations, home of Miss Havisham.
Source: restorationhouse.co.ukSamuel Pepys described it as the pretty seat of Sir Francis Clerke.
Source: restorationhouse.co.ukRestoration House is in Rochester, Kent.
Source: wikidata.orgThe nearest railway station by road is Rochester, roughly 2 minutes away by car.
Source: wikidata.orgMeasured by road, the nearest main airport is London City Airport, around 52 minutes and 28.9 miles away.
Source: wikidata.org
Price this journey
We have started the journey for you. Change either end to the exact address, choosing it from the suggestions, and pick a date and time to see the full price.
Questions
When is Restoration House open?
Opening: house and garden open on Thursdays and Fridays from 11 June to 25 September 2026, 10am to 5pm, plus Saturday 11 July only from noon to 5pm.
Can we combine Restoration House with another house?
Ightham Mote is around 35 minutes away by road.
Which railway station is handiest?
Rochester, 2 minutes by car.
Our undertaking
- 60 min
of waiting after landing on every airport collection, without charge.
- Nothing
is added after the quote unless you ask for more on the day. Airport fees, parking and tolls are in it.
- 24 hrs
before collection, cancel or move the journey at no cost.
- In full
refunded if we ever cancel a journey, however late the notice.