Overview

Kent, has been referred to as The Garden of England for hundreds of years. The county is host to gentle hills, fertile farmland and cultivated country estates with fruit filled orchards that cover the area. We feature visits to Walmer Castle & Gardens and Great Dixter House & Gardens along with a pleasant ‘chug’ along the line from pretty Tenterden to Bodiam complete with a delicious ploughman’s lunch.

Your Accommodation:

The stylish Best Western Plus Burlington Hotel has a superb location in a pleasant area close to the seafront in Folkestone and has undergone extensive refurbishment in 2017. The hotel has a very modern feel and offers friendly, excellent service. All of the en-suite bedrooms are bright and airy, whilst the restaurant is modern in style. There are two bars and lifts serve all floors.

Your Itinerary:

From your front door to the waiting coach for the drive south to Kent. Our first visit is to Broadstairs, a wonderful mixture of Victorian architecture, hidden cobbled squares and sandy beaches. Later we spend time delightful Sandwich, noted for its maze of narrow streets and medieval buildings before continuing south and arriving at the Burlington Hotel late afternoon for a welcoming tea or coffee.

Today we head to Canterbury with free time in this historic city, famed for its medieval buildings, quaint tea shops and magnificent Cathedral. Discover why this beautiful, ancient place is one of the jewels in Kent's crown. At the heart of the walled city is the iconic Canterbury Cathedral. After plenty of time to make the most of our visit, we return to our hotel with time to relax before dinner.

Our day begins with a visit to the grand Walmer Castle & Gardens; here we learn more about its fascinating story, including the history of the castle and its famous former residents, one being the Duke of Wellington in his role as Lord Warden. We enjoy a guided tour of the magnificent gardens with their herbaceous borders, pretty blooms and mature trees. This afternoon we head along the coast road to the beautiful Samphire Hoe nature reserve – home to some of the best views in the whole of Kent. We enjoy a welcome talk before setting out on a guided walk with stunning views of the White Cliffs and the spectacular English Channel as well as rare plants and abundant wildlife.

This morning we make tracks for the Kent & East Sussex Railway, embarking on a one way steam train journey from Tenterden to Bodiam. Whilst on board we enjoy a tasty Ploughman’s Lunch as we chug along. This afternoon is spent at Great Dixter House & Gardens – the one time family home of gardener and garden writer, Christopher Lloyd.

A leisurely breakfast at the hotel before we bid farewell to our hosts and make our way home. We drive across Kent through picturesque villages to spend time in the popular and historic resort of Whitstable. Mid-afternoon we complete our journey as we arrive on our home areas after a memorable holiday in Kent.

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