When you see our address 337-341 Rochester High Street, you might think we’re in amongst the stretch of independent shops near the castle and cathedral. But no, we’re in the less well known but full of interest section historically known as ‘Chatham Intra’, where Rochester High Street meets Chatham High Street. We’re proud to be part of a brilliant supportive community of businesses here, in what we call The Old High Street Intra (for more info on this see Facebook or Instagram) and co-produce a biennial arts festival about the area called Ebb & Flow.
Here we are on Google Maps.
Since the pandemic we’ve changed things around a little and are doing things differently:
- You can view our monthly changing exhibitions in our Windows Gallery, 11 metres of street-facing exhibition space, beautifully lit to show off artworks at their best, and visible 24 hours a day from outside. We are delighted by the positive responses that the new gallery space has been getting.
- Our print studio Medway Fine Printmakers has restarted Open Access printmaking sessions with pre-booking, is running small classes, one to one teaching, and is open to new members again.
- Glassmania classes are running on Tuesdays, and Fancy Tat classes are back. Check our Events Calendar to see the bookable classes on offer.
- Our Wave arts club for young people at risk of self harm, is meeting in person after getting together just on Zoom during lockdowns.
- We’re no longer open to the public 7 days and there’s not really a shop anymore, although we will be hosting selling events and the work in the gallery is often for sale.
- People come inside INTRA mainly just for booked activities now. We work with schools, home education groups, community groups, with local arts projects and the workspace is booked for private hires. You’re very welcome to pop in for a chat if we’re not busy, but you’ll need to ring the doorbell when you visit. We welcome people approaching us to run other creative activities in our workspaces or to propose events and partnerships.
Directions
It’s about a 10 minute walk to us from Rochester train station, which is close to Rochester bridge, cathedral and castle. Heading east from Rochester train station towards Chatham:
- From the station, turn left onto the main road and go along Corporation Street
- Stay on the lower road at the traffic lights by the bottom of Star Hill and turn the corner left onto the High Street
- Go past the Nags Head pub and under the railway bridge
- Go past Limehouse Thai restaurant
You’ll see our building set back a little in a lay-by just before the Ship pub and the synagogue. The INTRA building has large glass windows and an Art Deco frontage with zig zags..
Buses 145, 197 and 156 stop a few yards away outside the Cycle King bicycle shop, and opposite the Ship pub.
Parking
We have staff parking on Cooks Wharf behind our building, and it might be possible to arrange parking here if you check with us if you have mobility issues etc. – but please ask first. There is paid parking opposite, and longer stay in the Doust Way car park, 2 minutes walk away. If you are unsure where to park, pull into the lay-by and pop in to ask us.