Backfields Rochester, Medway
12 addresses across 4 postcodes (ME1), about 130 m long, classed as a restricted local access road. USRN 32100092.
5 recorded sales since 1995; in 2016 the median was £347,500 across 1 sale. 3 homes have an energy certificate (D: 2, E: 1). 2 addresses on its postcodes are in areas at high or medium risk of flooding from rivers, the sea or surface water. Most homes around it are in council tax band C; Band D in Medway costs £2,329 a year in 2026-27. Gigabit broadband is available to 100% of premises. The nearest railway station is Rochester, about 860 m away in a straight line. The nearest park or garden, Church Field Recreation Ground, is about 40 m away. Background air pollution in 2024 was 11.0 µg/m³ of nitrogen dioxide and 7.5 of PM2.5, within UK legal limits. Its addresses are 21 to 35 m above sea level. 1 of its 12 addresses is modelled at 55 dB or more from road traffic. The nearest GP surgery is Thorndike Partnership, about 500 m away, with 3 practices within 1.6 km. About 250 people lived in the census areas around it in 2021; 63% of households owned their home and 44% of adults held a degree or other higher qualification. 80 crimes were recorded within 250 m between September 2025 and August 2026, most often violence and sexual offences.
Sales on this street
| Year | Sales | Median price | Lowest | Highest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 1 | £347,500 | £347,500 | £347,500 |
| 2014 | 1 | £239,000 | £239,000 | £239,000 |
| 2000 | 1 | £90,500 | £90,500 | £90,500 |
| 1999 | 1 | £86,000 | £86,000 | £86,000 |
| 1996 | 1 | £65,000 | £65,000 | £65,000 |
| Date | Address | Type | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Dec 2016 | 1, OLD COTTAGES ME1 1UH | Terraced | £347,500 | |
| 30 Oct 2014 | 3, OLD COTTAGES ME1 1UH | Terraced | £239,000 | |
| 9 Feb 2000 | 3, OLD COTTAGES ME1 1UH | Terraced | £90,500 | |
| 28 May 1999 | 3, OLD COTTAGES ME1 1UH | Terraced | £86,000 | |
| 28 Nov 1996 | 3, OLD COTTAGES ME1 1UH | Terraced | £65,000 |
Energy performance certificates
3 homes with a current certificate; median floor area 52 m². Most common: House, semi-detached (2); House, mid-terrace (1). Built: before 1900 (2); 1900-1929 (1). Tenure at assessment: owner-occupied (3).
Council tax
What each band costs in Medway in 2026-27: Band D £2,329 a year on average, including the police, fire and any county and parish charges.
| A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| £1,552 | £1,811 | £2,070 | £2,329 | £2,846 | £3,363 | £3,881 | £4,657 |
Homes by band in the neighbourhood around this street: most are in band C (33% of about 1,150 homes).
Planning and heritage
- Conservation area: no postcode centre in this street's postcodes is in one.
- Listed buildings on or by this street: 1.
- Article 4 direction (removing permitted development rights): none recorded, though not every council has published theirs.
- Tree preservation orders: none recorded, though not every council has published theirs.
- Green belt: no.
Listed buildings
- MILL HOUSE, grade II
Brownfield land registered for housing within 1.0 km
- Communal areas, John Street, Rochester: up to 8 homes, permissioned (430 m)
- 22-26 Victoria Street, Rochester: up to 3 homes, not permissioned (520 m)
- 1-4 Eastgate Court Rochester: up to 5 homes, permissioned (610 m)
- Riverview Lodge Guest House 88 Borstal Road Rochester: up to 8 homes, permissioned (700 m)
- Bardell Terrace Rochester: up to 374 homes, permissioned (750 m)
- Miles Place, Delce Road, Rochester: up to 11 homes, not permissioned (900 m)
Roadworks
No street works under way, planned or finished in the last three months on this street, in permits up to 30 September 2026.
Flood risk
Rivers, the sea or surface water: in this street's postcodes, 2 addresses are in areas at high risk, 0 at medium risk and 1 at low risk. Each address counts once, at the higher of its rivers-and-sea and surface-water risk.
Rivers and the sea alone: no home is in an area at risk.
High: 3.3% (1 in 30) or more chance of flooding a year. Medium: 1% to 3.3%. Low: 0.1% to 1%. Very low: under 0.1%. The rivers and sea figures allow for flood defences. Counts cover whole postcodes, which can include other streets.
Flood zone for planning: no postcode centre on this street is in flood zone 2 or 3.
| Postcode | Planning zone | Addresses at high / medium / low risk | Groundwater |
|---|---|---|---|
| ME1 1UH | not in 2 or 3 | 2 / 0 / 0 | unlikely |
| ME1 1UQ | not in 2 or 3 | 0 / 0 / 0 | unlikely |
| ME1 1RA | not in 2 or 3 | 0 / 0 / 1 | unlikely |
| ME1 1TQ | not in 2 or 3 | 0 / 0 / 0 | unlikely |
Height above sea level
The street's 12 addresses are between 21 m and 35 m above sea level (25 m on average); the ground rises about 14 m from the lowest to the highest.
Broadband
| Postcode | Superfast (30 Mbit/s+) | Ultrafast (300 Mbit/s+) | Gigabit | Below 10 Mbit/s |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ME1 1RA | 100% | 100% | 100% | 0% |
| ME1 1TQ | 100% | 100% | 100% | 0% |
| ME1 1UH | 100% | 100% | 100% | 0% |
| ME1 1UQ | 100% | 100% | 100% | 0% |
Getting around
| Nearest | Distance | |
|---|---|---|
| Railway stations | Rochester 2.1 million journeys in 2024–25 | 860 m |
| Strood (Kent) 1.2 million journeys in 2024–25 | 1.4 km | |
| Chatham 2.4 million journeys in 2024–25 | 1.7 km | |
| Bus stops | 8 stops within 400 m, 29 within 800 m; nearest Ridley Road Rochester | 60 m |
| Bus or coach station | Chatham Railway Station | 1.7 km |
| Ferry terminal | Town Pier Gravesend | 11.2 km |
| Car parks | Rochester Riverside Multi-Storey Car Park | 920 m |
| EV charging points | 3 within 1.6 km; nearest MFG Charging Station | 1.1 km |
| Airport with scheduled flights | London Southend Airport SEN | 24.8 km |
| Nearest large airport | London Gatwick Airport LGW | 54.4 km |
Local services
| Nearest | Distance | |
|---|---|---|
| GP surgeries | 3 practices within 1.6 km; nearest Thorndike Partnership | 500 m |
| Pharmacies | 10 pharmacies within 1.6 km; nearest Bod Pharma | 500 m |
| NHS dentists | 10 practices within 1.6 km; nearest Coco Dental Rochester Limited | 630 m |
| Hospital | Medway Maritime Hospital | 3.1 km |
| Police station | Kent undercover police. | 2.3 km |
| Cash machines | 5 machines within 800 m; nearest Variety Box Cashzone | 500 m |
Parks and green space
| Nearest | Distance | |
|---|---|---|
| Park or garden | 7 within 800 m; nearest Church Field Recreation Ground 2.2 ha | 40 m |
| Largest park within 800 m | Unnamed 3.8 ha | 280 m |
| Play area | 1 within 800 m; nearest Unnamed 2,340 m² | 510 m |
| Playing field | 2 within 800 m; nearest Unnamed 3.4 ha | 620 m |
| Allotments | 2 within 800 m; nearest Priestfields Lower Site Allotments 2.0 ha | 430 m |
Within 800 m: 7 parks and gardens, 12 hectares in all.
Landmarks
The nearest historic landmark is Parish Church of St Margaret of Antioch, a listed building (Grade II*), 120 m north-east. 248 listed buildings are within 1.0 km, 20 of them Grade I and 24 of them Grade II*.
| Name | What it is | From the middle of the street |
|---|---|---|
| Parish Church of St Margaret of Antioch | Listed building, Grade II* | 120 m north-east |
| The Gleanings With Railings to Rear West | Listed building, Grade II* | 180 m north-east |
| The Limes and Garden Wall to North Attached | Listed building, Grade II* | 250 m north-east |
| Fort Clarence | Scheduled monument | 300 m south |
| Old St Margaret's the King's School | Listed building, Grade II* | 370 m north-east |
| Open areas within Roman, Saxon and medieval town | Scheduled monument | 560 m north-east |
| Remains of Rochester Priory cloister | Scheduled monument | 600 m north-east |
| Jewish Burial Ground, Chatham Memorial Synagogue | Registered park or garden, Grade II | 1.2 km east |
| The Officers' Terrace, the Historic Dockyard, Chatham | Registered park or garden, Grade II | 2.4 km north-east |
| Name | What it is | From the middle of the street |
|---|---|---|
| Tower Reach | Tidal water | 390 m north-west |
| Temple Marsh | Wetland | 680 m west |
| Broom Hill | Hill | 2.2 km north-west |
| Merrals Shaw | Wood | 2.2 km west |
| Couvre Port Reservoir | Lake or reservoir | 2.4 km east |
| Snodhurst Bottom | Valley | 3.1 km south-east |
Air quality
| Pollutant | Here | UK limit | WHO guideline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) | 11.0 | 40 | 10 |
| Fine particles (PM2.5) | 7.5 | 20 | 5 |
| Particles (PM10) | 12.1 | 40 | 15 |
All three are within the UK legal limits; nitrogen dioxide and PM2.5 are above the WHO guideline, as in most towns and cities.
Road and rail noise
| Level | Road traffic | Railways |
|---|---|---|
| 60 to 64 | 1 | 0 |
| Under 55 | 11 | 12 |
1 of the street's 12 addresses is modelled at 55 dB or more from road traffic, above the WHO guidelines.
Nearest schools
| School | Phase | Ages | Distance | Inspection |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| St Margaret's at Troy Town CofE Voluntary Controlled Primary School Church of England | Primary | 3–11 | 460 m | Report card (Jun 2026): Curriculum and teaching: Strong standard; Achievement: Strong standard; Attendance and behaviour: Strong standard; Personal development and wellbeing: Strong standard; Inclusion: Strong standard; Leadership and governance: Strong standard; Early years: Strong standard; Safeguarding standards: Met |
| Rochester Riverside Church of England Primary School | Primary | 3–11 | 920 m | No overall grade (Jul 2025, graded inspection without an overall judgement): Quality of education: Good; Behaviour and attitudes: Good; Personal development: Good; Leadership and management: Good |
| St Peter's Infant School | Primary | 4–7 | 940 m | No published inspection |
| St William of Perth Roman Catholic Primary School | Primary | 4–11 | 1.2 km | No published inspection |
| Fort Pitt Grammar School | Secondary | 11–18 | 1.2 km | Outstanding (Oct 2022, overall grade under the previous framework) |
| The Rochester Grammar School | Secondary | 11–18 | 1.4 km | Good (Jan 2023, overall grade under the previous framework) |
| St John Fisher Catholic Comprehensive School Roman Catholic | Secondary | 11–18 | 1.5 km | No overall grade (Oct 2024, graded inspection without an overall judgement): Quality of education: Requires improvement; Behaviour and attitudes: Requires improvement; Personal development: Good; Leadership and management: Requires improvement |
| St Nicholas CEVC Primary School Church of England | Primary | 4–11 | 1.5 km | No overall grade (Jun 2025, graded inspection without an overall judgement): Quality of education: Requires improvement; Behaviour and attitudes: Good; Personal development: Good; Leadership and management: Requires improvement |
| Delce Academy | Primary | 5–11 | 1.5 km | Good (May 2024, overall grade under the previous framework) |
| Sir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical School | Secondary | 11–18 | 1.5 km | Outstanding (Mar 2023, overall grade under the previous framework) |
| All Faiths Children's Academy | Primary | 3–11 | 1.6 km | Good (Jan 2020, overall grade under the previous framework) |
| Cedar Children's Academy | Primary | 3–11 | 1.6 km | No published inspection |
Food hygiene ratings nearby
| Business | Type | Distance | Rating | Rated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harrison Catering Services ME1 1SA | School/college/university | 110 m | 4 Good | 19 Jan 2026 |
| The Chestnuts - Welcome House ME1 1RX | Hospitals/Childcare/Caring Premises | 200 m | 5 Very good | 10 Oct 2025 |
| Nickleby Lodge ME1 1SD | Hospitals/Childcare/Caring Premises | 300 m | 5 Very good | 13 Feb 2026 |
| Noosh ME1 1SF | Other catering premises | 350 m | 5 Very good | 5 Oct 2026 |
| Shozna ME1 1RR | Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 360 m | 5 Very good | 18 Jun 2024 |
| The Granville Arms ME1 1RL | Pub/bar/nightclub | 380 m | 5 Very good | 23 Dec 2024 |
| For Heaven's Cakes ME1 1RL | Other catering premises | 390 m | 5 Very good | 8 Jan 2026 |
| Caterlink Ltd At St Margarets At Troy Town ME1 1YF | School/college/university | 450 m | 5 Very good | 15 Jan 2026 |
| Coopers Arms P.H. ME1 1TL | Pub/bar/nightclub | 470 m | Awaiting publication | |
| Sodexo ME1 1RF | School/college/university | 490 m | 5 Very good | 4 Feb 2026 |
| Restoration House Tea Shop ME1 1RF | Other catering premises | 500 m | 5 Very good | 19 Jun 2025 |
Crime within 250 m
| Category | Crimes |
|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 26 |
| Anti-social behaviour | 19 |
| Criminal damage and arson | 12 |
| Other theft | 6 |
| Vehicle crime | 5 |
| Public order | 4 |
| Drugs | 3 |
| Robbery | 2 |
| Other crime | 2 |
| Burglary | 1 |
Most of these are attached to: On or near Valetta Way (15); On or near Mitre Road (11); On or near Gordon Terrace (10); On or near Esplanade (9); On or near Tupman Close (8).
People and work
Who lives here
| Around this street | England | |
|---|---|---|
| Median age | 48 | 40 |
| Children under 15 | 10% | 17% |
| Aged 65 and over | 23% | 18% |
Homes
| Around this street | England | |
|---|---|---|
| Owned (outright or with a mortgage) | 63% | 61% |
| Owned outright | 34% | 33% |
| Shared ownership | under 1% | 1% |
| Social rented | under 1% | 17% |
| Private rented | 35% | 21% |
Work and commuting
| Around this street | England | |
|---|---|---|
| Adults (16 and over) in work | 59% | 57% |
| Unemployment (of those working or looking for work) | 5% | 6% |
| Retired (of adults) | 25% | 22% |
| Long-term sick or disabled (of adults) | 2% | 4% |
| Work mainly from home (of those in work) | 52% | 32% |
| Travel to work by car or van | 34% | 48% |
| By train, Underground, metro or tram | 4% | 4% |
| By any public transport, including bus | 4% | 8% |
| On foot or by bicycle | 8% | 10% |
| Work within 10 km of home (of those who travel to work) | 60% | 65% |
| Work 30 km or more away | 21% | 8% |
Education and languages
| Around this street | England | |
|---|---|---|
| Degree or other higher qualification, Level 4+ (of adults) | 44% | 34% |
| No qualifications | 11% | 18% |
| Apprenticeship as highest qualification | 3% | 5% |
| Main language English (aged 3 and over) | 90% | 91% |
| Cannot speak English well or at all | 2% | 2% |
Deprivation
The neighbourhood around this street is in decile 5 of 10 on the English Indices of Deprivation 2025, where 1 is the most deprived tenth of England's 33,755 neighbourhoods and 10 the least.
What has changed
Nothing new since the change feed started on 30 October 2026. New sales and energy certificates, and hygiene ratings, school inspections and flood figures nearby, will be listed here as the sources update.
Postcodes on this street
- ME1 1UH: 5 addresses
- ME1 1UQ: 5 addresses
- ME1 1RA: 1 address of 9 in the postcode
- ME1 1TQ: 1 address of 14 in the postcode
Nearby streets
Vange Cottage Mews · Backfields · Shorts Reach · Gordon Terrace · Esplanade · Churchfields Terrace · Mitre Road · Ridley Road · Valetta Way · Hathaway Court · St Margaret's Street · Watts' Avenue
What this page cannot tell you
- Whether a particular house is at risk of flooding, subsiding or anything else: the flood map is a model of areas and there is no property-level data here.
- What a home is worth now: sales are historic prices for the homes that happened to sell.
- How safe the street is: crime points are moved to anonymised locations and many crimes are never reported.
- Whether you would get a place at a school: distances are straight lines, not catchments.
- Who lives on the street now: census figures describe the small areas around it in March 2021, during a lockdown.
- How long a journey takes or how often anything runs: transport distances are straight lines to the nearest stops.
- Whether a GP practice is taking new patients, or a dentist new NHS patients.
- How loud a home is inside, or noise from aircraft, industry or neighbours: noise figures are models of road and rail traffic outside, in England only.
How each figure on this page is matched to the street and worked out: methodology.