Discover Kent’s hidden gems and iconic sites on a private tour. Explore medieval castles, UNESCO sites, and charming villages in comfort.
- The White Cliffs of Dover - Begin your journey with a drive to a unique vantage point on the White Cliffs, offering views of Dover Castle, the harbour, the English Channel, and, on clear days, the French coastline.
- Barham - Travel through scenic country lanes and rolling hills to discover several picturesque villages. Drive through the charming wooded hills of Barham, featuring newly planted vineyards and a quaint narrow street. Pass by the 13th-century St John the Baptist church with its green copper spire, Kent peg-tiled cottages, and stunning valley views.
- Bishopsbourne - Continue towards Bishopsbourne, located in the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Pass the elegant Bourne Park stately home, visited by composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart in 1865.
- Patrixbourne - Explore the historic village of Patrixbourne, known for its fine Norman church built from flint and Caen stone. The church, influenced by French decorative styles, features a beautiful Norman south doorway and a wheel window from the late 12th century.
- Chilham Village - Stop for 45 minutes in Chilham, possibly the prettiest village with its 15th-century square, black and white Tudor buildings, Jacobean castle, church, and pub. Chilham has been a filming location for movies like Emma (2009) and various historical dramas. Enjoy morning tea and photo opportunities outside Chilham Castle, historic houses, and the charming cobbled square.
- Canterbury Cathedral - After refreshments, head to the historic city of Canterbury, home to three UNESCO World Heritage sites: Canterbury Cathedral, St Augustine’s Abbey, and St Martin’s Church. Spend three hours exploring the city with your guide, who will provide a historical overview from Roman times to the present. Choose to visit landmarks like the Cathedral and castle, wander medieval streets, or enjoy a pub lunch by the River Stour.
- St. Augustine’s Abbey - As you leave the city center, view St Augustine’s Abbey, founded shortly after St Augustine arrived in Kent in AD597. The abbey served as a monastery and missionary school, with a library of illuminated manuscripts, of which only 150 survived the English Reformation. One manuscript, the ‘Canterbury Gospels,’ was used in the recent Coronation of King Charles III.
- Lady Wootton’s Green - Pass by statues of King Ethelbert and Queen Bertha on Lady Wootton’s Green, who played key roles in welcoming Augustine to Canterbury and establishing Christianity in the country.
- St. Martin’s Church, Canterbury, Kent - Observe St Martin’s Church, the oldest surviving church in the country, dating back to cAD597. Originally a chapel for Queen Bertha, it became a base for Augustine. View structures from Roman, Anglo-Saxon, and Medieval periods.
- Wickhambreaux - Head back towards the coast, stopping briefly in picturesque villages. Visit Wickhambreaux with its medieval village green, church, manor house, rectory, inn, and mill. Take photos at the 13th-century St Andrews church, associated with WWII Dambuster Squadron Leader David Maltby and Fleetwood Mac’s Christine MacVie.
- Ickham - Continue to Ickham, known for its white weatherboard cottages, listed buildings, and 13th-century church.
- Wingham - The final stop is the ancient coastal village of Wingham, with buildings dating back to the 1200s, including the Grade II listed ‘The Dog Inn.’ Capture lasting memories of quintessential Kent at these special locations.
- Private transportation
- Air conditioned vehicle
- Guide with extensive local knowledge
- Parking fees
- Entry to Canterbury Cathedral and other tourist landmarks
- Gratuities
- Food and drink
If you have got only a few hours to spare but want to see the very best of Kent, then this is the tour for you! Your local guide, Dr Anthony Medhurst, knows the most beautiful and memorable sites, some of which are off the typical tourist trails. Private tour guests will be transported in a comfortable, climate-controlled vehicle to the most awe-inspiring locations in Kent. These range from iconic sites such as the White Cliffs of Dover with its castle and WWII defensive fortifications, to the historic city of Canterbury with its three UNESCO World Heritage-listed sites - Canterbury Cathedral, St Augustine’s Abbey and St Martin’s church (the oldest in the country). However you will also be driven through delightful country lanes and enjoy unsurpassed views of locations unknown to most visitors and yet are quintessentially and authentically Kent. These include pretty villages with their church and country pub gathered around an idyllic green or cobbled square. Truly a trip to remember!
- The site at Dover Western Heights has uneven ground, is overgrown in places, and has concrete war time structures. Care needs to be taken when walking around the site.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
