KENT, THE GARDEN OF ENGLAND

WHAT'S INCLUDED

Departures throughout 2008 & 2009
From 3 days 2 nights
Return Executive Coach Travel 
Local pick up points of your choice
From 2 nights halfboard accommodation at a 3* hotel in Kent
All rooms with en suite facilities
Included excursion package
FREE Comprehensive Travel Insurance on selected bookings

SAMPLE ITINERARY
Day 1 Departing Shrewsbury / Albrighton approx 9am we travel south stopping en route at Waddesdon Manor (NT)* which was built (1874-89) by Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild to display his outstanding collection of art treasures and to entertain the fashionable world. On a hilltop overlooking the Aylesbury Vale, it is the last remaining complete example of 'le goût Rothschild'. The House combines the highest quality French furniture, textiles and decorative arts from the 18th century with magnificent English portraits and Dutch Old Master paintings. Waddesdon also has one of the finest Victorian gardens in Britain, famous for its Parterre, seasonal displays, colourful shrubs, mature trees, statues and carpet bedding. At its heart lies the Aviary, stocked with species that were once part of Baron Ferdinand's collection and other birds that are depicted on Waddesdon's famous Sèvres porcelain collection. You will havea couple of hours at yur leisure here and can also purchase lunch before we continue onto Kent, arriving at your hotel later in the day in time to freshen before dinner.

Day 2 - This morning we travel by boat (the Kentish Lady) from Maidstone town centre to the Museum of Kent Life (costs included). As you stand beside the Oast house in the middle of the site, it's hard to believe that Maidstone town centre is so near. A visit here is an opportunity to leave the modern world behind and experience the sights, sounds and smells of country life in Kent over the last 150 years. Many country crafts are practised and demonstrated on site and most significantly, it is one of the few remaining places in Britain where hops are grown, harvested, dried and packed by hand, using only time-honoured, traditional techniques. You will have several hours at your leisure here before re-joining the coach as you journey the short distance to Rochester. This is a city steeped in history, dominated by a fine Norman Castle and Cathedral and bounded by the maritime traditions and spirit of past British naval dominance on the River Medway. You will have free time here before we return you to your hotel in time to freshen up before dinner tonight. An alternative to the above (day 2) would be to spend a half day in Royal Tunbridge Wells with an included guided walking tour followed by a visit to Wakehurst Place (NT)

Day 3 - After breakfast today, we start with a visit to Leeds Castle including entrance and a guided tour. Leeds Castle is set on two islands on the River Len in the heart of Kent and has been home to royalty, lords and ladies for over 1000 years. Visitors are transported through 900 years of the castle’s history; an eclectic mix of period architecture, sumptuous interiors and family treasures waiting to be discovered. Their internationally renowned aviaries offer a fascinating glimpse into the world of modern conservation and captive breeding programmes. Black swans glide on the moat and waterways, peacocks wander through the grounds and birds of prey soar on the wind during daily falconry displays. The gardens offer continuous colour throughout the year. From a mass of spring bulbs and wild flowers in the wood garden, through fragrant herbs and roses in the quintessentially English Culpeper garden, to late flowering borders in the drought-resistant Mediterranean garden. This afternoon we continue onto Sissinghurst Castle Garden (NT) which is a sophisticated garden where rare plants are neighbours to traditional cottage garden flowers. The scale of planting is also deliberately varied from one part to another. Here the formal herb garden with its medicinal and aromatic plants contrasts with a rough orchard, the paved lime walk bright with spring bulbs and a cottage garden with its assortment red, orange and yellow flowers. Two long lawns provide restful centres amongst the separate rooms. The charm of the garden owes much to the Tudor buildings which provide a romantic backdrop to the planting. Against the slender brick buildings roses and honeysuckle climb to the eaves and vines, magnolia and clematis tumble over the walls. Its then back to the hotel late this afternoon for dinner.

Day 4 - Today we start by travelling to Hever Castle & Gardens, a thirteenth century romantic castle - once the childhood home of Anne Boleyn. Set in magnificent gardens from the majestic formal Italian Garden and topiary, to the informal meanderings of the lakeside and Sunday Walk. The Water Maze on Sixteen Acre Island and the Yew Maze challenges both adults and children alike. Entrance is included as well as a private guided tour of the castle, prior to opening to the public and this lasts approximately one hour, after which you will have plenty of free time to visit the gardens at your leisure. These were laid out between 1904 and 1908 by Joseph Cheal & Son, turning marshland into the spectacular gardens you see today. One of the most magnificent areas of the gardens is the Italian Garden, which was designed to display William Waldorf Astor’s collection of Italian sculpture. Over 1,000 men worked on the great design with around 800 men digging out the 35 acre lake at the far end of the Italian Garden - taking two years to do so! Within four years the 30 acres of classical and natural landscapes were constructed and planted. The garden is only now reaching its full maturity and includes the colourful walled Rose Garden which contains over 3,000 plants. There are many water features around the gardens, including Half Moon Pond, the Cascade Rockery, the cool and shady grottoes, the formal loggia fountain based on the Trevi fountain in Rome, and the more informal Two Sisters Pond. Other areas that you can stroll through include the Tudor Garden, Rhododendron Walk and along Anne Boleyn’s Walk with its collection of trees planted over 100 years ago.We leave here later this afternoon for Chartwell House ( NT), the family home where Britain’s wartime Prime Minister lived for more than 40 years. See the rooms as they were in Churchill’s time right down to the daily papers and his famous cigars. Capture the mood of the key moments in the 20th Century, looking through photographs and books spanning Churchill’s colourful career. Visit the museum and exhibit rooms with their impressive displays and sound recordings and superb collection of Churchill’s mementoes and uniforms including his famous siren-suit and hats. Explore the lovely gardens with its lakes and the water garden, where Churchill sat to feed Golden Orfe, Lady Clementine's Rose Garden, the Golden Rose walk and magnificent views over the Weald of Kent. See dozens of Churchill’s paintings in the garden studio where he worked and the garden walls that Churchill built with his own hands.

Day5 - We depart the hotel after breakfast and retrace our steps making comfort stops en route back to your original departure point. 

PRICE & SUPPLEMENTS

Price on application
Single room supplements and minimum numbers apply

 HOW TO BOOK

Choose your departure date
For your instant quote / more information:
Call Simply Groups on 01943 605999 or
click here to use our online enquiry form.

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