Kent - The Garden Of England, Castle, Coast & Ales

Itinerary

Day 1

Join your coach this morning and head towards the lovely county of Kent with comfort stops en route. On arrival at your comfortable hotel there will be time to settle in and relax before your first included evening meal. Perhaps enjoy a drink in the bar to get to know your fellow travellers before your real journey begins.

Days 2 to 3

Enjoy a tasty breakfast each morning before setting off on our wonderful included excursions through Kent. Return to your comfortable hotel each evening in time for dinner and maybe a drink with others at the bar to share stories of the day you have enjoyed.

Day 4

After a final hearty breakfast it is time to say farewell to the Garden of England today as you head homewards with time to relax on board and reflect on some wonderful memories and experiences with newly made friends.

Tour Includes

• 3 nights hotel with full English breakfast & dinner
• Excursion to Whitstable & Faversham
• Shepherd Neame Brewery Tour
• Entrance to Leeds Castle
• Net Zero Carbon

Leeds Castle

INCLUDED Visitor Destination

Leeds Castle in the heart of Kent and known as 'the loveliest castle in the world' is set in over 500 acres of lush green parkland. Dating back to 1119, Leeds Castle has been altered, rebuilt and added to over the past 900 years. You'll find medieval gatehouses and Norman foundations, Tudor towers and a Gloriette updated during Henry VIII's reign. All of this was lovingly restored during the mid-20th Century by Lady Baillie, the last private owner of Leeds Castle, who also filled the castle with a stunning and somewhat eclectic range of antiques, paintings and tapestries, which she used to entertain her many famous friends. The beautiful grounds also offer plenty to explore with lovely gardens, historic maze made of 2,400 yew trees mirroring the shape of a queen's crown, and the unusual Dog Collar Museum. You will be spoilt for choice on how you spend your time where Henry VIII courted Anne Boleyn.

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Shepherd Neame Brewery, Faversham & Whitstable

INCLUDED Visitor DestinationEnjoy a tour of Faversham Brewery, home to Shepherd Neame, Britain’s Oldest Brewer. This award-winning guided tour takes visitors around the Faversham Brewery site to learn about the ancient art of brewing. Brewing has happened at the site for centuries, and the brewers use a mix of traditional and modern methods to produce award-winning beer. The 80 minute tour also includes a visit to the Old Brewery Store, housed in the old wines and spirits store, which features impressive displays of historic delivery vehicles, a recreated coopers’ workshop, bygone pub signs and a collection of hop picking memorabilia. Your tour ends back in the Visitor Centre with a tutored tasting of Shepherd Neame’s Kentish ales and speciality lagers, before visitors have the chance to visit the Brewery Shop and pick up a souvenir, gift or some of their favourite beer.

You'll also enjoy some free time in Faversham, the oldest market town in the county and recorded in the Domesday Book. It is bursting with history and features gabled buildings nestling along the slowly lapping waters of a creek, the aroma of hops, the taste of freshness from surrounding orchards and fields. Wander through the market square that’s barely changed since the first Elizabeth held the crown, wander past the old barge sheds of a bygone time on the creek or sample the fruits of centuries of brewing craft at a pub offering more of Shepherd Neame's fabulous beers - or indeed any of the local micro-breweries.

Nearby Whitstable is the place to go for quirky fashionable shops, oysters and the English seaside with its pebble beach and upmarket eateries. Walk around the harbour or West Beach and spot windsurfers in the waves at Tankerton Beach. For a spot of shopping, head into the town and browse the boutique shops or enjoy a trip to Whitstable Museum and Gallery or the Horsebridge Art Centre. Back to top

Accommodation

Mercure Great Danes Hotel Maidstone, Kent

Set in a rural location amongst 26 acres of beautifully landscaped private gardens adjoining the famous Leeds Castle, the Mercure Maidstone Great Danes Hotel is the ideal location for a relaxing stay. This modern hotel offers 126 good size bedrooms, decorated in a classic style and each is equipped with TV, hairdryer and tea/coffee making facilities. There is a spacious bar, lounge and restaurant. There is also a leisure club with an indoor swimming pool, sauna, steam room and gym.

For more information, click here for the hotel website (opens in a new window)

Hotel Location

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