Historic Buildings

#HP Charles Dickens' Writing Chalet: Where Stories Come to Life

Medway’s deep ties to Charles Dickens are a source of immense pride, and his remarkable Swiss-style writing chalet remains one of the most tangible symbols of that legacy. Now over 160 years old, this Grade I listed structure, situated in Eastgate Gardens, is extremely fragile and at serious risk of being lost. Our project will conserve and restore the Chalet, creating a new setting inspired by the ‘Wilderness Garden’ of Dickens’s home at Gad’s Hill. Working in partnership with Friends of Eastgate House, heritage experts, and local cultural organisations, we will develop an inclusive programme inviting residents, schools, and visitors to explore Dickens’s creativity and his contemporary relevance as a social reformer through creative engagement. The project is delivered in partnership with Friends of Eastgate House, with whom we will also explore a Community Asset Transfer, empowering volunteers to protect and celebrate this unique literary landmark for generations to come.