What’s there?

Borstal Recreation Ground sits at the bottom of Manor Lane in Rochester. Here you will find a small children’s play area with equipment for both younger and older children. You will find swings, a round-a-bout and 2 climbing frames. There are several picnic tables inside the park fence and outside the fence on the playing field too. There is a large flat playing field perfect for ball games and kite flying you could even bring your bikes and cycle around the field, or through the marsh.

Baty’s Marsh is located between Borstal Recreation Ground and the River Medway. This is a wonderful habitat for local wildlife; the variety of plants, butterflies and other insects here is brilliant. The unlaid path through the marsh is lined with brambles, buddleia and other shrubs giving plnety of shade and hidey-holes for dogs and children to explore. There are several benches along the path that look out on to the River Medway so that you can relax, sit and watch the boats move along the river. You can access Baty’s Marsh from the bottom of Manor Lane or the corner of Short’s Way (before you go up the hill).

Parking here is free and on-street next to the play area.

There are no public toilets here. The closest public toilets can be found off Rochester High Street or Rochester Castle Gardens.

Rochester Train station is 1.5 miles away, there are a few buses that stop along Borstal Street or Short’s Way that will get you close to the park.

Close by

Rochester City centre is 1.5 miles away, where you will find the train station, Rochester Castle, Rochester Cathedral, The Guildhall Museum and a wonderful variety of independent shops. Along the High Street you will also find the Rochester Visitors Center which also houses the Huguenot Museum.

Rochester Esplande is about 1 mile away, if you walk along the River. This park has a children’s play area, formal gardens and some lovely shady spots.

View as you sit at the picnic table and look across the River Medway from Baty's Marsh.
View across the River Medway from Baty's Marsh.
Younger children's play equipment at borstal recreation ground; slide and swings
Older children's play equipment at Borstal recreation ground; climbing frame, round-a-bout and springy see-saw
tree and shrub lined paths that run the length og Baty's Marsh
Picnic table looking over one of the large playing fields at Borstal Recreation ground

How to find it…

Manor Lane, Rochester, ME1 3HR

What to take

  • Footballs, Cricket sets, rounders set, rugby balls.
  • Kites
  • Wellies when the weather has been wet.
  • Insect pots and magnifying glasses.

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