Historic Houses Of Kent 5 Days - King Charles Htl
- Duration: 5 days
- Board Basis: Half Board
- Tour Ref: D2TALF5249Y
Holiday Summary
- Travel Type: Coach
Our base is historic Gillingham, the birthplace of the Elizabethan seafarer William Adams, founder of the first Japanese Navy, made famous by James' Clavell's novel "Shogun". Today Gillingham boasts a wide range of shops, services and amenities to explore. Our tour includes excursions to explore the surrounding areas of Kent.
PLEASE NOTE: Price is per person and based on two people sharing a twin/double room. Single room supplements and upgrades are not included.
Itinerary
Day 1 - Outward Travel
Day 2 - Full Day Chartwell & Rochester
Chartwell was the home of Sir Winston Churchill and is filled with treasures, gifts and personal items belonging to the man who was once voted the Greatest Briton. The house remains very much as it was when the family lived here and the studio is home to the largest single collection of Churchill’s paintings. The formal Rose Garden and working Kitchen Garden are well worth a stroll and the wider estate features a tree house, a bomb crater and a Canadian camp. Later in the day we call at historic Rochester – a place cherished by Charles Dickens who lived in the area. Historic buildings abound with the stunning cathedral and magnificent castle dominating the town and the high street is packed with quaint, independent shops and a great range of cafes. /n
Day 3 - Full Day Canterbury & Leeds Castle
We’ll start the day with a visit to Canterbury – a medieval walled city with the iconic Canterbury Cathedral which along with nearby St Augustine’s Abbey and the Church of St Martin have been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There are many walking trails through the city to discover the fascinating history or perhaps you could explore the independent boutiques in the Cathedral Quarter – the perfect spot for a little retail therapy. We’ll continue to magnificent Leeds Castle – the loveliest castle in the world! Tales from 900 years of glamourous history are waiting to be uncovered ranging from 1930s lavish parties to stories of some of the strongest women in history. Designed to entertain, Leeds Castle impresses no matter where your interest lies – enthralling history, spectacular gardens and a magnificent moated location./n
Day 4 - Full Day Penshurst Place & Royal Tunbridge Wells
Today we’ll make our way to Penshurst Place, a 14th century Manor House with spectacular gardens. Once the property of Henry VIII, the Sidney Family have been in continuous residence for more than 460 years with each generation leaving their mark. Admire the opulent State Rooms, see the Victorian Kitchen and take a stroll through the beautiful grounds and gardens where the 100 metre Peony Border erupts into colour from late May into June. We’ll round the day off with a visit to Royal Tunbridge Wells, lying at the heart of the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty./n
Day 5 - Return Travel
King Charles Hotel
Conveniently located in the heart of Gillingham, with its extensive shopping and amenities including the Royal Engineers Museum and Chatham Historic Dockyard, the King Charles Hotel offers quality accommodation and traditional dining. Lounge bar.