Group Travel Tour Operator and DMC for Kent
Discovering the Castles and Gardens of Kent
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Canterbury cathedral - pink flowers, Kent ©Canterbury Cathedral
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Hever Castle Tudor Garden ©VisitKent
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Sissinghurst Castle front ©National Trust Images-Arnhel de Serra
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Dover Castle and Cliffs © English Heritage Photo Library
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Leeds Castle, Kent - Viewed from the Northeast © VisitBritain, Pete Seaward
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
Dates throughout 2022 & 2023
Suggested itinerary by coach
Day 1
Travel to your hotel
Consider turning off the motorway or main road for lunch or afternoon tea. Your Greatdays consultant can offer suggestions to suit your itinerary.
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 – Inspected by Greatdays staff in February 2018
Holiday Inn Ashford-North ***
Located just off the M20, the Holiday Inn offers 92 bedrooms which all have an en-suite bathroom, TV, Tea & Coffee making facilities, Hairdryer and Iron/Ironing Board. The hotel does not have a lift but is only over 2 floors and has plenty of ground floor rooms. Parking is available on-site.
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.
| Dates | 5 days / 4 nights | Single supplement |
| 2022 dates | From £375.00 per person | From £137.00 per person |
| 2023 dates | From £399.00 per person | From £142.00 per person |
