Bringing Dickens Back to Life: Supporting the Restoration of the Charles Dickens’ Writing Chalet

Bringing Dickens Back to Life: Supporting the Restoration of the Charles Dickens’ Writing Chalet

We’re proud to be supporting the restoration of a remarkable piece of literary history — Charles Dickens’ Writing Chalet, now standing (just) in the gardens of Eastgate House in Rochester.

Originally gifted to Dickens in the 1860s, the two-storey wooden chalet became his writing retreat in the final years of his life. It was here that he worked on some of his most famous late works, including Great Expectations and The Mystery of Edwin Drood. After his death, the chalet was relocated twice — finally arriving at Eastgate Gardens in 1960, where it remains today.

But time has taken its toll. The chalet is now derelict and at serious risk of being lost forever.

That’s why we’re backing the campaign to restore it — not just as a static monument, but as a living, creative space for the future. The ambition is to return the chalet to public use, giving it a new lease of life as a place for writing, community events, education, and cultural activity.

A Shared Vision for Creativity and Community

We believe in supporting creative projects that inspire, educate and enrich the places we live and work in. The vision behind the Charles Dickens’ Writing Chalet restoration aligns perfectly with that ethos — reviving a building of real cultural significance and turning it into a working asset for the local community.

You can find out more about the project on the official website: charlesdickenschalet.co.uk

And you’ll spot some of our design support across the campaign — from printed leaflets to pull-up banners used at events around Medway and across Kent.

Why It Matters

This is about more than preserving a structure. It’s about safeguarding a story — one that connects local history with global literary heritage. It’s about giving people of all ages a place to connect with writing, storytelling, and creative exploration. And it’s about doing something genuinely positive for the future of Rochester and Medway.

If you’re interested in supporting or donating to the campaign, or just want to keep up to date with progress, visit the project site at charlesdickenschalet.co.uk.

#SaveTheChalet #DickensChalet #MedwayCulture #CreativeSpaces