Kent: the Garden of England
London
London
Kent: the Garden of England
Tour summary
7 days
England
9 meals
18 guests (max)
Driver
Trip leader
Luxury minicoach
Twin-share / double / double for single occupancy
6 nights in thoughtfully selected accommodation6 nights
Discover the timeless charm of England’s South East, where exquisite castles invite you to marvel at their lush gardens, and sweeping coastal vistas will take your breath away. Immerse yourself in the region’s unique spirit as you drink in the local history at Britain’s oldest brewery, hear cobblestones patter beneath your feet in Rye and soak up the medieval and gothic features of Canterbury’s magnificent cathedral. A treasure trove of England's finest is yours to uncover.
Tour highlights
- Visit the iconic castles and gardens of Hever, Leeds, Dover and Sissinghurst
- Delve into the fascinating history of Canterbury Cathedral with a local guide
- Sample celebrated beers at Shepherd Neame, Britain’s oldest brewery
Tour itinerary
Day 1 - London (England)
A capital filled with rich history and culture, London is where we’ll meet for the start of our incredible journey. Tonight, we’ll get to know one another over a delicious welcome dinner.
A capital filled with rich history and culture, London is where we’ll meet for the start of our incredible journey. Tonight, we’ll get to know one another over a delicious welcome dinner.
Included today
Accommodation
Tower Suites by Blue Orchid (or similar)
Meals
- Dinner
Day 2 - London – Chartwell House and Hever Castle – Canterbury
After breakfast, we’ll set a course for our first historic stop: Chartwell House. Many of us will know the public face of Sir Winston Churchill, but a chance to see inside Chartwell will give us a glimpse into his private home. From the library to the sitting room and study, this red stone manor is a time capsule brimming with insights into 1930s family life. Next, we’ll set our sights on the enchanting Hever Castle. We’ll have the opportunity to wander through Anne Boleyn's childhood home and gaze upon the large collection of antique furniture, books and Tudor paintings housed here. Then, we’ll move on to Canterbury – where we’ll spend the evening at our leisure.
After breakfast, we’ll set a course for our first historic stop: Chartwell House. Many of us will know the public face of Sir Winston Churchill, but a chance to see inside Chartwell will give us a glimpse into his private home. From the library to the sitting room and study, this red stone manor is a time capsule brimming with insights into 1930s family life. Next, we’ll set our sights on the enchanting Hever Castle. We’ll have the opportunity to wander through Anne Boleyn's childhood home and gaze upon the large collection of antique furniture, books and Tudor paintings housed here. Then, we’ll move on to Canterbury – where we’ll spend the evening at our leisure.
Included today
Accommodation
Abode Hotel (or similar)
Meals
- Breakfast
Day 3 - Canterbury – Kent Countryside – Maidstone
Our day will begin with a locally guided visit to the magnificent Canterbury Cathedral. The oldest working church in England, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is home to medieval ruins, an oak-roofed Chapter House and a staggering gothic nave. Then: we’ll move on to the picturesque Kent countryside – filled with quaint villages bursting with character. Tonight, we’ll come together for a delicious included meal – sharing photos and stories of the day’s adventures.
Our day will begin with a locally guided visit to the magnificent Canterbury Cathedral. The oldest working church in England, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is home to medieval ruins, an oak-roofed Chapter House and a staggering gothic nave. Then: we’ll move on to the picturesque Kent countryside – filled with quaint villages bursting with character. Tonight, we’ll come together for a delicious included meal – sharing photos and stories of the day’s adventures.
Included today
Accommodation
Leeds Castle (or similar)
Meals
- Breakfast
- Dinner
Day 4 - Maidstone – Faversham and Whitstable – Maidstone
This morning we’ll take some time to explore Leeds Castle on a guided tour of the famous moat, the areas below stairs and the grand bedrooms (some of which were favoured by King Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson during their frequent stays). Then: onwards to the Shepherd Neame Brewery in Faversham, where we’ll be treated to a tour – with the chance to sample some award-winning beers. We’ll round off the day with a seaside stroll in the quaint town of Whitstable before returning to our idyllic accommodation for the evening.
This morning we’ll take some time to explore Leeds Castle on a guided tour of the famous moat, the areas below stairs and the grand bedrooms (some of which were favoured by King Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson during their frequent stays). Then: onwards to the Shepherd Neame Brewery in Faversham, where we’ll be treated to a tour – with the chance to sample some award-winning beers. We’ll round off the day with a seaside stroll in the quaint town of Whitstable before returning to our idyllic accommodation for the evening.
Included today
Accommodation
Leeds Castle (or similar)
Meals
- Breakfast
Day 5 - Maidstone – Tenterden – Rye
Next stop: historic Tenterden, a quintessentially English town overlooking the valley of the River Rother. After taking a wander around with our expert Tour Leader, we’ll pull up a chair and get comfy at a local winery – where we’ll clink glasses over an included wine tasting. Our final destination of the day will be the charming market town of Rye. Here, we’ll spend the rest of the day at our leisure – with plenty of free time to visit the Rye Heritage Centre and explore the time-honoured town centre.
Next stop: historic Tenterden, a quintessentially English town overlooking the valley of the River Rother. After taking a wander around with our expert Tour Leader, we’ll pull up a chair and get comfy at a local winery – where we’ll clink glasses over an included wine tasting. Our final destination of the day will be the charming market town of Rye. Here, we’ll spend the rest of the day at our leisure – with plenty of free time to visit the Rye Heritage Centre and explore the time-honoured town centre.
Included today
Accommodation
The Mermaid Inn (or similar)
Meals
- Breakfast
Day 6 - Rye – Dover – Rye
Today we’ll dedicate some time to exploring Rye’s cobbled lanes and timber-clad houses, experiencing some of the magic that inspired writers and artists such as Henry James and Paul Nash. After tracing the shoreline and spotting those famous white cliffs, we’ll arrive at Dover Castle: the gateway to the English coast. This fortress boasts evocative interiors that tell centuries of historic tales, not to mention far-reaching views from the Great Tower and dark medieval tunnels with covert cannons every few paces. The afternoon will see us back in Rye, where some free time will allow for the chance to see more of the town before our farewell dinner.
Today we’ll dedicate some time to exploring Rye’s cobbled lanes and timber-clad houses, experiencing some of the magic that inspired writers and artists such as Henry James and Paul Nash. After tracing the shoreline and spotting those famous white cliffs, we’ll arrive at Dover Castle: the gateway to the English coast. This fortress boasts evocative interiors that tell centuries of historic tales, not to mention far-reaching views from the Great Tower and dark medieval tunnels with covert cannons every few paces. The afternoon will see us back in Rye, where some free time will allow for the chance to see more of the town before our farewell dinner.
Included today
Accommodation
The Mermaid Inn (or similar)
Meals
- Breakfast
- Dinner
Day 7 - Rye – Sissinghurst – London
Our journey may be coming to a close, but we have one more stop before returning to London – the world-renowned Sissinghurst Castle and Gardens. Created by the poet and writer, Vita Sackville-West, this is one of the most famous gardens in England – featuring a particularly special collection of old garden roses. After enjoying some free time to stroll the colourful grounds, we’ll make tracks back to London – where we’ll say our goodbyes.
Our journey may be coming to a close, but we have one more stop before returning to London – the world-renowned Sissinghurst Castle and Gardens. Created by the poet and writer, Vita Sackville-West, this is one of the most famous gardens in England – featuring a particularly special collection of old garden roses. After enjoying some free time to stroll the colourful grounds, we’ll make tracks back to London – where we’ll say our goodbyes.
Included today
Meals
- Breakfast
Things we think you'll love
A stately sleepover
Rest your feet in an individually decorated en-suite bedroom in the cosy Stable Courtyard in Leeds Castle, and dine in the estate's 17th-century Castle View Restaurant, enjoying a hearty breakfast and dinner created with local produce by prestigious cooks of the area.
Local Canterbury tales
Discover over 1,400 years worth of stories inside Canterbury Cathedral as a local guide leads us through its illustrious presence.
Celebrated castle discoveries
Journey into the past with visits to castles that have stood the test of time in Hever, Leeds, Dover and Sissinghurst.
Read the reviews
Verified customer feedback powered byFeefo
Anonymous September 2024
Tony Wade did an excellent job in leading us through a number of interesting adventures in Kent. Good commentary before reaching a destination and made sure that we were getting as much as possible...
Read full reviewAnonymous September 2024
Beautiful locations, easy pace with like minded travellers. Tony the tour director was very professional and the driver Steve was a safe and reliable driver.
Colin Pr September 2024
Pleased with the places we visited, the tour bus & guide, Tony was wonderful. Accommodation & meals organised were great, Hever Castle was impressive, as was Canterbury & Rye.
Helen Wa September 2024
Our tour with Back Roads around Kent was more than I could possibly have expected. Our tour leader Tony, & driver Stephen were wonderful. Our program around the sites of Kent were so interesting , and...
Read full reviewIan Ti September 2024
Excellent itinerary, accommodation , travelling companions , driver and tour leader.
Raewyn Hi September 2024
Tony Knight was a great tour guide and together with Stephen it was a great trip. Everything was so well organized. Tony even sorted out two lorry's stuck on a narrow back road.
The whole group got...
Anonymous September 2024
The tour was wonderful, our guide Tony and driver Stephen were fantastic. The hotels were quirky but fit the locale. Thank you, I look forward to another trip with Tony next summer.
Wendy Ha September 2024
Brilliant trip. Great driver and care given by Tony. The other passengers got on so well. The places we visited were so varied. Comfortable hotels, tours and visits to interesting villages and towns...
Read full reviewAnonymous September 2024
Excellent Back Roads tour. Great locations and local experiences, hotels were excellent. Tour guide very knowledgeable and ensured we were all having a great time each day. Our driver was also...
Read full reviewJoanne Ne August 2024
Brilliant in every way. Loved 2 night stays at accommodation and longer stops at exciting places. Great food and hotels.
Barry Be July 2024
We both really enjoyed this tour. Good leader in Tony and a good driver too, which is almost the main thing. June 22 to 28 was a good time to go, all the gardens were in great bloom. Particularly...
Read full reviewAnonymous June 2024
Wonderful tour thanks to tour leader Ben and driver Ashley. I absolutely loved being able to take true back roads and see the glorious English countryside. Ben gave us written information on each...
Read full reviewSara At June 2024
What a beautifully relaxing few days we had on this tour. We have started telling all our friends about this Back-Roads tour and the 2 previous ones we did
Anonymous May 2024
A wonderful tour of Kent: great locations, superb hotels, magnificent meals, great guided visits, some additional unexpected sights.
We could have omitted the stop en route to London after the Hever...
Sandra Ke May 2024
We recently experienced the Kent: The Garden of England Tour, the itinerary was terrific. The opportunity to wander through the beautiful grounds and rooms of Chartwell House, Sissinghurst, Leeds...
Read full reviewPamela Ye May 2024
Very good venues, tho perhaps more time could have been allowed on the major sights which involved gardens.
No complaints but kudos to our tour guide and driver, very relaxing, ready to help/assist...
Anonymous May 2024
I enjoyed my Backroads tour, Kent: The Garden of England. We visited a nice variety of sights, and were given plenty of time to explore each of them on our own. A cathedral, a country home and garden...
Read full reviewSandra Mc May 2024
This was our first bus tour and it exceeded expectations! The accomodations and food were excellent. We explored enchanting towns and villages and had some wonderful experiences. Most of all it was...
Read full reviewHarold Ba May 2024
Tour leader & the driver were outstanding in everything!!! We saw so much in this tour & had a great balance between free-time and planned/organized time. Our food was very good & restaurant...
Read full reviewAnonymous May 2024
Fantastic tour. Great tour leader and driver. Loved all the back roads
Anonymous October 2023
Excellent hostess and driver, interesting itinerary well thought out
Anonymous September 2023
Well worth the cost. Very safe, organized, comfortable, modern and clean
Patricia Pr September 2023
We really enjoyed this trip. Our driver (Rob) safely delivered us to our accommodation in the evenings. The coach was very comfortable to ride in. The isle was a bit squeezy, but we all managed. Our...
Read full reviewKerry Da September 2023
The tour was a very good tour, interesting and covered a lot of ground.
Anonymous August 2023
Well organised with a friendly guide and driver who both new the area
Frieder (F August 2023
It was great value for the money. Wonderful places to stay. Interesting drives through the countryside. Beautiful and interesting places picked for night.
Ann Cl August 2023
I was very lucky to get a place on this tour, booking it only 3 weeks before the event. Might have benefitted from an additional couple of days, seeing more castles and things in Kent
Anonymous July 2023
Very interesting and informative
Catherine Do June 2023
All over an excellent tour
Anonymous May 2023
Both the driver and the tour leader were excellent. The accomodation was also excellent. I thoroughly enjoyed my trip with Backroads
Anonymous September 2022
Fantastic trip through Kent.
Anonymous September 2022
The Itinerary needs wok!!
Anonymous September 2022
Very enjoyable part of England.
Not enough time to explore small villages - sometimes too long in a particular planned stop.
Anonymous September 2022
Loved the locations. Didn’t really need 4 hours at diver castle.
Our friendly Customer Service team are available to advise you Monday to Friday.
Full tour details covering accommodation, transport and included experiences are available in our tour notes.
FAQs
Our thoughtfully selected accommodation is full of charm and historic details – expect elegant country inns, grand town centre hotels and even the odd castle! For this reason, rooms vary in size, and most hotels don’t have lifts – meaning you’ll likely need to access your room via stairs. Porterage will be included wherever possible.
Although air conditioning is mostly unavailable in historic buildings, fans will be provided during hot spells. Most hotels have bathtubs with overhead showers (rather than walk-in showers), so you’ll be able to enjoy a soak at the end of the day.
All the tour details in one handy document available to read at your leisure!
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