Dover And The Cinque Ports Tour
3 Days Starting and ending in Dover, United Kingdom
Visiting: Dover, Rye
Tour operator:
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
0 - 48
Special diets catered:
Please advise requests
Tour operated in:
EnglishActivities:
Art Galleries & Museums, Rail Excursion, Sightseeing, Walking
Tour Overview
Embark on the Dover and The Cinque Ports Tour, a captivating journey through England's historic coastal towns. Stay at the elegant Best Western Plus, Dover Marina Hotel & Spa, a Victorian seafront retreat with modern amenities. Begin with a welcome reception and a talk on the Cinque Ports' history. Explore the charming town of Rye, the smallest town of Winchelsea, and the ancient port of New Romney. Discover Sandwich's medieval allure and delve into the grandeur of Dover Castle. Enjoy guided tours, insightful talks, and delightful dinners, all while immersing yourself in the rich history and scenic beauty of these iconic locations.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive Independently At The Best Western Plus, Dover, From 15.00
Location: Dover
Accommodation Name: Best Western Plus, Dover Marina Hotel & Spa
Meals Included: Dinner
This evening there will be a welcome reception, dinner with wine and a talk by Julian Humphrys - ‘The History of the Cinque Ports.’
Day 2: Rye, Winchelsea And New Romney
Location: Rye
Accommodation Name: Best Western Plus, Dover Marina Hotel & Spa
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
First on the agenda today is a visit to Rye, which replaced nearby New Romney as the 5th port when it was damaged by storms and its harbour silted up. Rye is a beautiful town, today renowned for its antique shops and old-world charm, but an important port in its day – the Castle Museum will explain more. Next, we travel to Winchelsea, once a major centre for the wine trade and now the smallest town in England with its own mayor, for a visit to St Thomas Church followed by free time for lunch (not included). After lunch we visit the Court Hall Museum, one of the oldest buildings in the town and which will tell the tale of the history of the town. Our final visit of the day is to New Romney and St Nicholas Church. Once a thriving port, the church was located adjacent to the harbour until a storm in 1287 changed the coastline dramatically and the port was destroyed with four feet of silt deposited inside the church, which now accounts for it being lower lying than the surroudning area. This evening we will have a second talk from Julian, “The Hundred Years War” and dinner at the hotel.
Day 3: Sandwich And Dover Castle
Location: Dover
Accommodation Name: Best Western Plus, Dover Marina Hotel & Spa
Meals Included: Breakfast
Our first Cinque port today is Sandwich, a charming medieval town with a 16th century Guildhall, that now houses a museum telling the story of the town including its 1300AD “Sandwich Magna Carta.” Then to Dover Castle, one of the most iconic English fortresses which has commanded the Channel for nine centuries. The Great Tower was built by Henry II who sent Thomas Becket to his death and was father of Richard the Lionheart and “Bad” King John. Return to the hotel for approximately 17.00hrs.
What's Included
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Two nights’ bed and breakfast at the three-star Best Western Plus, Dover, based on shared occupancy of a twin/double room
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Welcome reception
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First night three-course dinner with wine
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Second night dinner in the hotel restaurant
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All talks, guided tours and admissions
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Coach touring itinerary and tour manager throughout
What's Not Included
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Transport to the hotel is not included
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Double for sole use supplement - £149
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Extra nights on bed and breakfast basis
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Holiday insurance
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Meals other than those stated
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Items of a personal nature such as drinks, laundry, telephone calls etc
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Porterage and gratuities
Mode of Transport
Transport to the hotel is not included. The tour includes a coach touring itinerary and a tour manager throughout, ensuring a comfortable and informative journey to all the key locations.
Accommodation
Best Western Plus, Dover Marina Hotel & Spa Ideally located in the centre of the five ports, the four-star Best Western Plus, Dover is a Victorian seafront hotel offering a fusion of Victorian décor with 21st century amenities, including a spa and gym, bar, restaurant and comfortable bedrooms with all modern amenities including en-suite bathroom, TV, telephone, wifi, safe, hairdryer and tea/coffee making facilities. Parking: complimentary
MORE INFO
Your GuideJulian Humphrys
Julian read history at Emmanuel College, Cambridge, has worked at historical sites both in Britain and overseas and is nowa trustee of the Battlefields Trust and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts. He has a very infectious enthusiasm for history and has published numerous books on castles and battles.He currently leads more than a dozen tours for Travel Editions and imparts his extraordinary historical knowledge with wit and panache, making a tour led by him both an educational and entertaining experience.Please note that all our UK tours start and finish at the relevant hotel. You can normally check in from 3pm onwards but hotels will always be happy to store your luggage if you arrive earlier in the day.
For full details of how to get to the hotel, directions and the nearest train station, please click on the hotel website or call our office for details. These will also be sent automatically with your confirmation.
The welcome reception and first evening dinner / talk will commence at about 6pm - full details will be sent with your joining instructions about 10 days prior to the arrival date.
Check out our Q&As
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What kind of accommodation is provided during the tour?
The tour includes two nights' bed and breakfast at the four-star Best Western Plus, Dover Marina Hotel & Spa. The hotel offers Victorian seafront décor with modern amenities, including a spa, gym, bar, restaurant, and comfortable bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms, TV, telephone, wifi, safe, hairdryer, and tea/coffee making facilities.
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Are meals included in the tour package?
Yes, the tour package includes a welcome reception, a three-course dinner with wine on the first night, and dinner in the hotel restaurant on the second night. Breakfast is also included for both mornings.
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What activities are included in the tour?
The tour includes all talks, guided tours, and admissions. Specific activities include visits to Rye, Winchelsea, New Romney, Sandwich, and Dover Castle, along with talks by Julian Humphrys on 'The History of the Cinque Ports' and 'The Hundred Years War'.
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Is transportation to the hotel included?
No, transport to the hotel is not included in the tour package.
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What historical sites will be visited during the tour?
The tour includes visits to several historical sites such as Rye, Winchelsea, New Romney, Sandwich, and Dover Castle. Specific highlights include the Castle Museum in Rye, St Thomas Church in Winchelsea, Court Hall Museum, St Nicholas Church in New Romney, and the Great Tower at Dover Castle.
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Who will be the guide for the tour?
The tour will be guided by Julian Humphrys, who read history at Emmanuel College, Cambridge, and is a trustee of the Battlefields Trust and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts. He has published numerous books on castles and battles and leads more than a dozen tours for Travel Editions.
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What time does the welcome reception and first evening dinner start?
The welcome reception and first evening dinner/talk will commence at about 6pm. Full details will be sent with your joining instructions about 10 days prior to the arrival date.
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What is the check-in time for the hotel?
You can normally check in from 3pm onwards, but the hotel will be happy to store your luggage if you arrive earlier in the day.
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Final joining instructions and documentation will be despatched approximately 10 days before travel.
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Do I need any Visas or Vaccinations for my holidays?
Visa and vaccination requirements are subject to change. Please check with your local doctor/GP about the current Vaccination requirements of the country you are visiting. For Visa enquiries, please contact the Embassy of the country you are visiting.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Generally, single and double rooms carry the same price, which means that single supplements for certain itineraries can seem high. We would be pleased to arrange for clients travelling alone to share with another client, however this is subject to somebody in the same situation booking on the tour. If you would be interested in this option, please let us know at the time of enquiry/booking.
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Where does the tour manager meet us?
In most cases the tour manager will travel out with the tour group from the UK. However, this is not always the case and the tour manager may meet you at the destination station / airport. The exact details specific to your tour will be given to you in your final documentation, 10 days prior to departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of travel editions charges.
Up to 56 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 55 days before tour starts: Forfeit 45% of booking price.
At 28 days before tour starts: Forfeit 60% of booking price.
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