Kent Heritage Journey

Railways, castles and river cruises await you in the ‘Garden of England’. A moated castle and a 14th century manor house combine with the home of one of Britain’s most famous leaders on your journey through this stunning corner of the country.

Monday 13th – Friday 17th September 2027

Tour Price £785.00
Single supplement: £136.00

o Four nights dinner, bed and breakfast

o Full cooked breakfast

o Three course dinner menu

o Entrance to Chartwell

o Entrance to Leeds Castle with cream tea

o River Medway cruise

o Entrance to Penshurst Place

o Entrance to Sheffield Park & Gardens

o Fully escorted

o All coach travel

MON  We head off this morning and head for Chartwell. This country house was the home of Sir Winston Churchill for over forty years. The rooms in the house remain much as they were when he lived here, with pictures, books and personal mementoes and Chartwell’s hillside gardens reflect his love of landscape and nature. After our visit we continue on to Maidstone and our hotel with time to settle in before dinner.

TUE  Today we visit the stunning Leeds Castle. With plenty of time for you to explore at your leisure, step into the glamorous 1930s house parties of Lady Baillie, who renovated the castle into a country house retreat. Immerse yourself in the stories of the seven Medieval and Tudor queens who lived here, and discover 500 acres of glorious grounds and gardens at this gorgeous moated castle, and enjoy a cream tea during your visit too.

WED  We head into Maidstone this morning where we board the Kentish Lady to enjoy a relaxing three hour lunch cruise on the River Medway. Take a seat in the comfortable glass-enclosed cruiser and admire the picturesque countryside as we cruise, enjoying a picnic lunch on the way. Afterwards, we head to Mote Park, a magnificent park in the heart of the town with many mature trees and a beautiful landscape to relax in.

THU  After breakfast we set off for a visit to stunning Penshurst Place, a 14th century manor house with 11 acres of formal gardens. Built in 1341 and described as “the grandest and most perfectly preserved example of a fortified manor house in all England”, take a tour of the house including the impressive medieval Baron’s Hall. Then, at your leisure, walk around the gardens – discover hidden corners brimming with fruit trees, colourful borders and water features. This afternoon we have free time to spend in Royal Tunbridge Wells where you can explore the historic Pantiles area which dates back to the early 17th century.

FRI  We leave our hotel after breakfast this morning and make our way to Sheffield Park and Garden, an ancient estate in the East Sussex countryside. With acres of landscape garden bordered by historic parkland and woodland, these stunning gardens are a sight to behold. We then continue our homeward journey, arriving home in the afternoon.