Dover
A Fragrant Interlude in Kent
Duration: 4 nights/5 days
Based: Royal Tunbridge Wells (3 nights), London (1 night)
Day 1
Depart Dover for the picturesquely sited town of Rye for a stroll around the cobbled streets lined with ancient timbered houses. At around lunchtime, to privately owned Merriments, a garden that’s
crammed with deep curved borders, color themed and planted in the great tradition of English gardening. Before reaching your hotel, Pashley Manor, a sumptuous blend of romantic landscaping, imaginative plantings and fine old trees, fountains, springs and large ponds. Overnight in the Royal Tunbridge Wells area (3 nights).
Day 2
Morning of antiquing in the Pantiles, the old town of Royal Tunbridge Wells. Around lunchtime to the glorious gardens at Sissinghurst Castle before a tuneful visit to Finchcocks, home to a magnificent private collection of some eighty historical instruments.
Day 3
Magic, mystery, history, intrigue and romance in the beautiful walled gardens at moated Groombridge Place. Then to Chartwell, where the rooms remain as they were in Sir Winston Churchill’s time. Late afternoon visit to the delightful, privately owned Squerryes Court, the Warde’s family home since 1731.
Day 4
After a leisurely start, at 10:30 AM a walk through the spectacular gardens at Penshurst Place prior to a tour of the stately home itself. Before leaving for London, the fabulous Italian garden and herbaceous borders at moated, 13th century Hever Castle. Overnight London, Royal Windsor or if you’re leaving from Gatwick, still in the Royal Tunbridge Wells area.
Day 5
To the airport
Ancient Kent and A Breath of French Air
Duration: 4 nights/5 days
Based: Folkestone (3 nights), London (1 night)
Day 1
With visits to the great castle at Dover and the historic Walmer Castle, discover other WWII connections in the Downs behind Folkestone (3 nights).
Day 2
Following a specially devised trail, visit the ancient churches on Romney Marsh. With lunch and shopping time in Rye, to Great Dixter for a visit to one of England’s outstanding gardens.
Day 3
On day three, either a visit to stunning Leeds Castle on your way to London, or, take Le Shuttle across to France and a day in the old town of Boulogne or a round of golf on one of their outstanding golf courses Early dinner in Boulogne and then Le Shuttle back to Folkestone for the night.
Day 4
Following a castles and gardens trail, to London, or Gatwick or Royal Windsor for the final night.
Day 5
Airport departures.
Great Castles, and Two Cathedrals in Kent
Duration: 3 nights/4 days
Based: Canterbury (2 nights), London (1 night)
Day 1
After embarkation, today’s focus will sharpen on the castles in the immediate area, beginning with imposing Dover Castle where in addition to seeing the Roman Lighthouse and the Anglo-Saxon church, you will journey deep into the White Cliffs and discover the top secret WWII tunnels and relive the wartime drama of the underground hospital. Next, Walmer Castle, a Tudor Fort transformed into an elegant stately home, the residence of Lords Warden of the Cinque Ports, who have include HM the Queen Mother, Sir Winston Churchill and the Duke of Wellington. Finally, crouching low and menacing, the huge rounded bastions of the austere Deal Castle, built by King Henry VIII. Into Canterbury for the following two nights.
Day 2
In depth morning walking tour of Canterbury followed by some free time. At around 3:00 PM, arrive at the cathedral for a special tour and perhaps stay on for Choral Evensong. 
Day 3
Depart Canterbury for London, stopping on the way firstly for a leisurely stroll through the gardens that lead to Leeds Castle, arguably the loveliest in the world. Before reaching the capital, a touch of Charles Dickens with a walk along the High Street in Rochester and a visit to its magnificent cathedral which dates from the 11th century. Overnight London.
Day 4
Airport transfers.
Great Gardens in Surrey
Duration: 3 nights/4 days
Based: Guildford (3 nights)
Day 1
Arrive London Heathrow or Gatwick and transfer to the cathedral city of Guildford. Rest and relax. Late afternoon visit the magnificent cathedral and stay on for Choral Evensong. Overnight Guildford (3 nights).
Day 2
Use Guildford as the perfect user friendly base for a long and leisurely visit to the RHS garden at Wisley. It’s a garden to enjoy all year round with something to see for everyone. Wisley will give you ideas and inspiration based on the experience of their experts.
Day 3
After breakfast, to Claremont, one of the earliest surviving English landscape gardens, now restored to its former glory. Talking of restoration, you’ll love Painshill, one of Europe’s most important 18th century parks, as you walk through a series of carefully designed views, each one more surprising than the last.
Day 4
Using the motorway, the journey to Southampton is relatively short and Dover’s not that far away either. Depending on your embarkation time and your interests, jazz up the day, even if it’s only in a 17th - 18th century coaching inn with good food, and real ale!
Kent Castles and Gardens
Duration: 3 nights/4 days
Based: Hastings (1 night), Royal Tunbridge Wells (1 night), London (1 night)
Day 1
Disembark Dover and make for the castle and a tour of the secret wartime tunnels. On then to the picturesque hilltop town of Rye for a visit and lunch. This afternoon, discover the story behind the 1066 Battle of Hastings and overnight in the area.
Day 2
After breakfast to Bodiam Castle, one of the country’s finest examples of medieval architecture. Then to Sissinghurst Castle, more famous for its celebrated gardens than its once being a poor house, a prison and an Elizabethan mansion. Into Royal Tunbridge Wells for the night.
Day 3
After a leisurely start and returning to the WWII theme, to Chartwell, Sir Winston Churchill’s family home, left as it was in his lifetime. Lunch here and then to moated 13th century Hever Castle, trysting place of King Henry VIII and its award winning gardens. Into London for the night.
Day 4
Departures for the airport.
Oxford Literary Landscapes
Duration: 3 nights/4 days
Based: Oxford (2 nights), Royal Windsor (1 night)
Day 1
Depart Southampton for Winchester Cathedral before heading for Jane Austen’s former home at Chawton where she revised and wrote her six great novels. On then to Oxford (2 nights).
Day 2
Morning tour of Christ Church College where the focus sharpens on the Harry Potter and Alice in Wonderland connections. The Oxford walk will also be themed towards the city’s connections with Inspector Morse. Afternoon free or a leisurely visit to Blenheim Palace where Sir Winston Churchill was born, and Bladon churchyard where he is buried.
Day 3
Prepare to be astounded with a late morning visit to the treasure filled Waddesdon Manor, built in the style of a 16th century French chateau for Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild. Later in the afternoon, an hour or so at privately owned Dorney Court, near Windsor “one of the finest Tudor manor houses in England” (Country Life). Overnight Royal Windsor or at your hotel near Gatwick.
Day 4
Transfers to the airport.
Royal Windsor
Duration: 2 nights/3 days
Based: Royal Windsor (2 nights)
Day 1
Arrive London Heathrow and head away from the London bound traffic jam and base yourself in Royal Windsor. If you’re at the Castle Hotel, keep an ear and eye open at 10:45 AM as the band marches towards the castle for the 11 AM Changing of the Guard. If you’re up to it, be there and watch it for yourself and tour spectacular Windsor Castle. Rest and relax. Overnight Royal Windsor (2 nights).
Day 2
Take the hop-on, hop-off open top bus tour of Windsor. When in Eton, pause awhile and discover the town for yourself. This afternoon, indulge yourself with visits to two stunning gardens, firstly Savill Garden, spectacular in the spring, fragrant in the summer with a wonderful display of roses and ablaze with fiery colors in the autumn. The other recommendation is Dorney Court “one of the finest Tudor manor houses in England.”
Day 3
Heading for Southampton, stop for a cup of coffee and take a stroll around the great formal parterres at Cliveden, home to one of the National Trust’s most important collections of statuary. Depending on when you need to embark, there are a number of ancient coaching inns for a very good pub lunch.
Dusting off the History Books
Duration: 3 nights/4 days
Based: Hastings (2 nights), London (1 night)
Day 1
After disembarking, before leaving Dover, take a look at its impressive castle and delving deep into the White Cliffs, experience the sights, sounds and smells of WWII in the top secret wartime tunnels. Then to the ancient town of Rye for lunch prior to a fragrant and colorful look at Great Dixter, one of England’s finest gardens. Overnight Hastings area (2 nights).
Day 2
Firstly today, westwards to Michelham Priory, set on a medieval moated island with a fascinating array of exhibits including a notable physic garden. Next up the breathtaking moated 15th century Hertmonceux Castle which embodies the history of medieval England and the romance of renaissance Europe. Finally, an interactive audio tour of the site of the 1066 Battle of Hastings.
Day 3
To Bodiam Castle, an exceptional example of medieval architecture. Then depending on your preferred period of history, either a Tudor perspective as seen at moated 13th century Hever Castle, or more of the WWII theme at Chartwell, the former home of Sir Winston Churchill where the rooms remain as he and Lady Churchill would have known them. Overnight near Gatwick, in Royal Windsor or in London.
Day 4
Airport transfers.
Spring and Summer Scents in Kent
Duration: 3 nights/4 days
Based: Royal Tunbridge Wells (2 nights), London (1 night)
Day 1
Depart Dover for an hour or two in Rye. On then to Merriments, a privately owned naturalistic garden which never fails to delight. From there to Pashley Manor, the Historic Houses Association Christies Garden of the Year in 1999. Overnight in Royal Tunbridge Wells (2 nights).
Day 2
With an hour or two of antiquing in the Pantiles, the old part of Royal Tunbridge Wells, to Great Comp, one of the finest gardens in the country. Next, “the loveliest castle in the world”, namely Leeds Castle, set in the middle of a natural lake. Because it stays open until 6:30 PM, slip in a late afternoon visit to the breathtaking gardens at Sissinghurst Castle.
Day 3
This morning, the enchanted forest and the formal walled gardens at romantic Groombridge Place. Then, to Chartwell, the former home of Sir Winston and Lady Churchill. During the afternoon, admire the mid 18th century re-landscaped gardens at privately owned Squerryes Court and into London.
Day 4
Departures for the airport.
The Kent Grand Slam
Duration: 3 nights/4 days
Based: Lenham (2 nights), London (1 night)
Day 1
Arrive Dover and tour Canterbury Cathedral with a pub lunch at the pretty ochre colored Three Chimneys pub in Biddenden to Sissinghurst Castle for a leisurely visit to this spectacular garden. Overnight at the Dog and Bear, Lenham-based Royal Tunbridge Wells (2 nights).
Day 2
Morning visit to the 13th century moated Hever Castle and a pub lunch at the Bottle House in Penshurst. This afternoon a good long visit to Penshurst House and an unhurried stroll around its beautiful garden.
Day 3
To Leeds Castle, arguably “the loveliest castle in the world”. Into London where after checking into your hotel, your time’s your own. Theatre tickets can be booked in advance. Overnight London (1 night).
Day 4
To the airport for the flight back home.
Up an English Garden Path
Duration: 3 nights/4 days
Based: Lenham (2 nights), London (1 night)
Day 1
Depart Dover for a morning walking tour of Canterbury followed by some free time. At around 3:00 PM, arrive at the magnificent cathedral for a special tour and then head for Lenham and two nights in a classic Kent country pub.
Day 2
A circular tour today including two world renowned gardens and a fantastic castle. The routing takes you to Sissinghurst Castle garden, famous for its Lime Walk, Herb Garden, Cottage Garden and its incomparable White Garden, making it a triumphant essay in English style. The Castle? The moated one at Bodiam, one of the finest examples of medieval architecture in Britain. Then to Great Dixter, birthplace and residence of garden writer Christopher Lloyd and home to wonderfully colorful Long Border and the Exotic Garden.
Day 3
Depart Lenham for at least three hours at Leeds Castle, one of the Treasure Houses of England. With a pause in Rochester for a touch of Charles Dickens and a tour of the 11th century cathedral, into London (1 night).
Day 4
Airport transfers.
Walking Through History
Duration: 3 nights/4 days
Based: Royal Tunbridge Wells (2 nights), London (1 night)
Day 1
Depart Dover for the ancient town of Rye before a visit to the famous 1066 battlefield site at Battle Abbey. On then to the magnificent moated Elizabethan castle at Herstmonceux where the formal gardens include a walled garden that dates from 1570. Into Royal Tunbridge Wells for two nights.
Day 2
A morning of antique hunting in the Pantiles area of the old town before an afternoon at Hever Castle, owned in the early 1900s by William Waldorf Astor. The gardens are fabulous and prizes will not be awarded for getting lost in the large traditional yew maze!
Day 3
After a leisurely start, to Penshurst Place where the visit will begin with a stroll around the fabulous gardens, laid out in a series of ‘rooms’ before discovering the treasures within. Then with a visit to charming 17th century Squerryes Court, owned by the Warde family since 1731, into London (1 night).
Day 4
Departures for the airport.
Where Chaucer's Pilgrims Once Trod
Duration: 3 nights/4 days
Based: London (1 night), Rochester (1 night), Canterbury (1 night)
Day 1
Arrive London Heathrow or Gatwick where arrangements can be made to meet and escort you to your hotel. Rest and relax. Free evening to explore the capital city.
Day 2
Depart London but not before visiting magnificent Southwark Cathedral, rendezvous point for pilgrims on their way to Canterbury. Following after them, head out of London for Rochester and a closer look at the life and times of Charles Dickens. He spent much of his childhood and later life here. Dinner tonight maybe at the Leather Bottle, full of Dickensian memorabilia. Overnight Rochester.
Day 3
With a detour to Leeds Castle and then the pretty port and market town of Faversham where pilgrims lodged on the way to Canterbury, into the city itself for a tour of the cathedral followed by Choral Evensong. Overnight Canterbury.
Day 4
Walking tour of the city and some free time before heading for Dover and your cruise.
Partner Site: Tasteful Journeys