Kent: the Garden of England 2025

Kent: the Garden of England 2025

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Kent: the Garden of England 2025

7 Days Starting and ending in London

Visiting: England

Tour operator:

Back-Roads Touring

Tour code:

BGOLL5

This tour is no longer available

Tour Overview

Open a treasure box of storybook castles, secret tunnels and enchanting gardens as we dedicate seven days to England’s exquisite South East. On our travels we’ll see why Whitstable has been dubbed the ‘Pearl of Kent’, wander the exquisite gardens of Kent’s most famous castles and discover the tales that make Canterbury the jewel in the county’s crown.

Highlights

  • Visit the iconic castles and gardens of Hever, Leeds, Dover and Sissinghurst

  • Delve into the fascinating history of Canterbury Cathedral with a local guide

  • Sample celebrated beers at Shepherd Neame, Britain’s oldest brewery

Itinerary

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Day 1: London (England)

Accommodation: Tower Suites by Blue Orchid (or similar)

Meals Included: Dinner

A capital filled with rich history and culture, London is where we’ll meet for the start of our incredible journey. Tonight, we’ll get to know one another over a delicious welcome dinner.

Day 2: London – Chartwell House And Sissinghurst – Canterbury

Accommodation: Abode Hotel (or similar)

Meals Included: Breakfast

After breakfast, we’ll set a course for our first historic stop: Chartwell House. Many of us will know the public face of Sir Winston Churchill, but a chance to see inside Chartwell will give us a glimpse into his private home. From the library to the sitting room and study, this red stone manor is a time capsule brimming with insights into 1930s family life. Next, we’ll set our sights on the world-renowned Sissinghurst Castle and Gardens. Created by the poet and writer, Vita Sackville-West, this is one of the most famous gardens in England – featuring a particularly special collection of old garden roses. After enjoying some free time to stroll the colourful grounds, we’ll move on to Canterbury – where we’ll spend the evening at our leisure.

Day 3: Canterbury – Kent Countryside And Coast – Maidstone

Accommodation: Leeds Castle (or similar)

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Our day will begin with a locally guided visit to the magnificent Canterbury Cathedral. The oldest working church in England, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is home to medieval ruins, an oak-roofed Chapter House and a staggering gothic nave. Then: we’ll move on to the picturesque Kent countryside – filled with quaint villages bursting with character and unspoilt coastal vistas. Tonight, we’ll come together for a delicious included meal – sharing photos and stories of the day’s adventures.

Day 4: Maidstone – Faversham And Whitstable – Maidstone

Accommodation: Leeds Castle (or similar)

Meals Included: Breakfast

This morning we’ll take some time to explore Leeds Castle on a guided tour of the famous moat, the areas below stairs and the grand bedrooms (some of which were favoured by King Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson during their frequent stays). Then: onwards to the Shepherd Neame Brewery in Faversham, where we’ll be treated to a tour – with the chance to sample some award-winning beers. We’ll round off the day with a seaside stroll in the quaint town of Whitstable before returning to our idyllic accommodation for the evening.

Day 5: Maidstone – Tenterden – Rye

Accommodation: The Mermaid Inn (or similar)

Meals Included: Breakfast

Next stop: historic Tenterden, a quintessentially English town overlooking the valley of the River Rother. After taking a wander around with our expert Tour Leader, we’ll pull up a chair and get comfy at a local winery – where we’ll clink glasses over an included wine tasting. Our final destination of the day will be the charming market town of Rye. Here, we’ll spend the rest of the day at our leisure – with plenty of free time to visit the Rye Heritage Centre and explore the time-honoured town centre.

Day 6: Rye – Dover – Rye

Accommodation: The Mermaid Inn (or similar)

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Today we’ll dedicate some time to exploring Rye’s cobbled lanes and timber-clad houses, experiencing some of the magic that inspired writers and artists such as Henry James and Paul Nash. After tracing the shoreline and spotting those famous white cliffs, we’ll arrive at Dover Castle: the gateway to the English coast. This fortress boasts evocative interiors that tell centuries of historic tales, not to mention far-reaching views from the Great Tower and dark medieval tunnels with covert cannons every few paces. The afternoon will see us back in Rye, where some free time will allow for the chance to see more of the town before our farewell dinner.

Day 7: Rye – Hever Castle – London

Meals Included: Breakfast

Our journey may be coming to a close, but we have one more stop before returning to London – the enchanting Hever Castle. We’ll have the opportunity to wander through Anne Boleyn's childhood home and gaze upon the large collection of antique furniture, books and Tudor paintings housed here. Then, we’ll make tracks back to London – where we’ll say our goodbyes.

What's Included

  • Meals
    6 breakfasts, 3 dinner

  • Transport

    Premium mini-coach transportation

  • Guide

    Experienced Tour Leader and Driver

Check out our Q&As

  • Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?

    We have solo capacity, however no single share.

  • What documents will I receive before I travel?

    Upon final payments, we will distribute E-Documentation to all of our guests. Dont forget we also have our App to download as an added feature.

  • Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?

    Like-minded travellers awaiting the opportunity to explore the less explored regions. Interests in food, wine, history, art as well as wartimes there will be a great mix of people to connect with on tour.

  • What policies are in place for Covid-19?

    We have our COVID Assurance Policy, Book now and relax knowing you are covered under our new COVID-19 Assurance Policy. At no additional cost to you, new bookings are now 100% refundable in the unfortunate event you are diagnosed with COVID-19 or unable to travel due to government-enforced lock downs prior to your scheduled departure date.

  • What level of mobility do I need?

    You need to be fit enough to get on and off the vehicle on a regular basis, and to walk both to attractions and around towns and villages. You also need to be able to walk up and down stairs in the hotels and use a shower over the bath. We frequently use traditional style hotels and the majority will not have lifts or ground floor rooms.

  • Who goes on Back-Roads tours?

    The majority of our guests come from Canada, the USA, the UK, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. All tour commentaries are in English. Our tours appeal to those looking for a more relaxing style of travel, and who enjoy culture, good food, meeting like-minded people and exploring destinations in depth.

  • What is the minimum age for any Back-Roads Touring trip?

    The minimum age on all of our trips is 18 years.

  • Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?

    All Hotels in line with protocols following the World Health Organisation meet and exceed requirements for all Touring with us.

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    Back-Roads Touring has been operating from the UK for over 30 years.

  • What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?

    Inline with our booking flexibility policy, you are able to make as many changes as required up to 60 days from departue - with 1 last included up until 30 days out.

  • Can I join the tour once it has departed?

    Generally no, but in extraordinary circumstances it can be looked at.

Reviews from travellers on this tour

Anonymous  

Kent: the Garden of England 2025

06-Jul-2023

Very interesting and informative

Anonymous  

Kent: the Garden of England 2025

05-Oct-2023

Excellent hostess and driver, interesting itinerary well thought out

Joanne Ne  

Kent: the Garden of England 2025

04-Aug-2024

Brilliant in every way. Loved 2 night stays at accommodation and longer stops at exciting places. Great food and hotels.

Pamela Ye  

Kent: the Garden of England 2025

19-May-2024

Very good venues, tho perhaps more time could have been allowed on the major sights which involved gardens. No complaints but kudos to our tour guide and driver, very relaxing, ready to help/assist and full of information about the history of the sights and even the passing countryside.

Anonymous  

Kent: the Garden of England 2025

16-May-2024

Fantastic tour. Great tour leader and driver. Loved all the back roads

Kerry Da  

Kent: the Garden of England 2025

08-Sep-2023

The tour was a very good tour, interesting and covered a lot of ground.

Anonymous  

Kent: the Garden of England 2025

27-Jun-2024

Wonderful tour thanks to tour leader Ben and driver Ashley. I absolutely loved being able to take true back roads and see the glorious English countryside. Ben gave us written information on each stop. Ben went to no end of trouble to answer questions and had a wealth of knowledge about everywhere we went as well as about bistory. He also had a great knowledge of botany and the natural environment and I loved that. Ashley was a great driver and he and Ben made ther tour special for us. It was after I did a different tour with a poor leader and driver that I realised how important that is.

Anonymous  

Kent: the Garden of England 2025

05-Sep-2024

The tour was wonderful, our guide Tony and driver Stephen were fantastic. The hotels were quirky but fit the locale. Thank you, I look forward to another trip with Tony next summer.

Anonymous  

Kent: the Garden of England 2025

28-Sep-2023

Well worth the cost. Very safe, organized, comfortable, modern and clean

Anonymous  

Kent: the Garden of England 2025

29-Sep-2022

The Itinerary needs wok!!

Read all 37 reviews

Book with Confidence

  • Free Date Changes

    Back-Roads Touring allows you to make 10 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 60 days before the start of the tour.

  • Transfer as credit to Future Tours

    Back-Roads Touring allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform back-roads touring, 60 days before departure.

  • Low Deposit

    Back-Roads Touring requires a minimum deposit of 150 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of back-roads touring charges.

    Up to 61 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

    At 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.

    At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.

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