Group Travel Tour Operator and DMC for Kent
Discovering the Castles and Gardens of Kent
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The Cottage Garden in May at Sissinghurst Castle Garden, Kent ©National Trust Images, Andrew Butler
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Penshurst Place, Kent - Pink flowers ©Visit Kent, All Rights Reserved
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Rose Garden at Hever Castle
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Hever Castle Tudor Garden ©VisitKent
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Gardens in June at Hever Castle
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Gardens at Hever Castle
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Hever Castle in Early Spring
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Canterbury cathedral - pink flowers, Kent ©Canterbury Cathedral
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Dover Castle ©English Heritage
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Leeds Castle, with daffodils in the foreground, in Kent
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Leeds Castle, Kent ©Visit Kent, All Rights Reserved
This 5 day tour is jam-packed with the very best castles and gardens in Kent. These include Leeds Castle, one of Kent’s best known attractions with over 900 years of history, Penshurst Place and Gardens, a 14th-century manor house once owned by Henry VIII, Hever Castle & Gardens, the childhood home of Anne Boleyn, and Sissinghurst Castle Garden, created in the 1930s, where the gardens each have their own theme and colour. There are also visits to Dover Castle, Canterbury and Canterbury Cathedral.
Dates
22nd September 2024; 12th May, 9th June, 15th September, 13th October - all 2025
Suggested itinerary by coach
Day 1
Travel to your hotel
Day 2
Penshurst Place and Hever Castle
Today we visit Penshurst Place and Gardens, a 14th century manor house once owned by Henry VIII. Visitors can see the impressive medieval Baron’s Hall, the state rooms, gardens and parkland. Hever Castle & Gardens is the childhood home of Anne Boleyn. Set within 125 acres of glorious gardens, the house reveals the story of her early life. An optional one-hour guided tour or audio guide is available.
Day 3
Leeds Castle and Sissinghurst Castle Garden
A morning visit to Leeds Castle, one of Kent’s best known attractions to discover its 900 years of history and some of the 500 acres of beautiful parkland. Optional guided tours and audio guides are available. In the afternoon we visit the world famous Sissinghurst Castle Garden. Created in the 1930s and designed as a series of ‘rooms’, each garden has a different character of colour and theme.
Day 4
Dover Castle, Canterbury and Canterbury Cathedral
A morning visit to the imposing Dover Castle to discover the castle’s Great Tower, the Underground Hospital and the Secret Wartime Tunnels that played a key role in WWII. We then travel to Canterbury for a tour of the famous cathedral, followed by free time in the historic city centre.
Day 5
Travel home
It’s time to leave Kent and travel home.
Featured Hotels – recently inspected by Greatdays staff
Mercure Maidstone Great Danes Hotel ****
This hotel, located in the heart of the Garden of England, neighbours the majestic Leeds Castle. There are 126 comfortable bedrooms, a lounge area, and leisure facilities including a gym, swimming pool, sauna, steam and Jacuzzi. There is a lift to all floors, however to access the ground floor lift from reception there are seven steps. A wheelchair lift is available. There is ample free coach parking.
Holiday Inn Ashford – North ***
A warm welcome awaits at this Kent hotel, set in a rural location around 4 miles from Ashford. The hotel is on 3 floors with an open plan lounge area and bar with a Starbucks coffee shop, and restaurant. Make yourself at home in one of the 92 en-suite bedrooms which all feature tea and coffee making facilities, flat-screen TV and hairdryer. The hotel has a lift to all floor, some rooms with walk-in showers and provides ample free coach parking
Mercure Maidstone
| Dates | 5 days / 4 nights |
| 22nd September 2024 | From £454.00 per person |
Holiday Inn Ashford North
| Dates | 5 days / 4 nights |
| 12th May 2025 | From £492.00 per person |
| 9th June 2025 | From £492.00 per person |
| 15th September 2025 | From £492.00 per person |
| 13th October 2025 | From £469.00 per person |
Single supplement available on request.
