Gorgeous Gardens & Historic Castles of Kent

Immerse yourself in the Garden of England on our delightful visit to Kent, home of classical castles and flourishing gardens, including Anne Boleyn's Hever Castle, Sissinghurst Castle Garden and Leeds Castle.

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New for 2026 - Immerse yourself in the Garden of England on our delightful visit to Kent, home of classical castles, Edwardian seaside resorts and flourishing gardens. With included admission to Penshurst Place, Anne Boleyn's Hever Castle, the National Trust's world-renowned Sissinghurst Castle Garden and Leeds Castle, these vibrant Kentish country houses, castles, and gardens offer you the perfect escape into the country.

INCLUDES

Return Optimum coach travel

Escorted by a Skills Holiday Host

4 nights half board

Visit to Cambridge enroute

Admission into Penshurst Place, Hever Castle, Sissinghurst Castle Garden & Leeds Castle

Day 1

We travel to the university city of Cambridge. Admire the beautiful architecture of this classic university city, perhaps taking the opportunity to visit the Fitzwilliam Museum and the historic marketplace. Why not treat yourself to a tranquil journey on the River Cam by traditional punting boat? From here, we continue to our hotel.

Day 2

Enjoy a full-day excursion to visit Penshurst Place and Gardens, a fourteenth-century manor house, once owned by Henry VIII. You'll be able to explore the impressive medieval Baron's Hall, the state rooms, gardens and royal parkland. Our next stop is Hever Castle, the childhood home of Anne Boleyn. Set on a hundred acres of glorious gardens, the walls of Hever Castle hold over seven centuries of history. You'll find panelled rooms, fine furniture, rich tapestries and antiques, and an exceptional collection of Tudor portraits.

B, D

Day 3

After breakfast, we enjoy a morning visit to the world-famous Sissinghurst Castle Garden, home to over four hundred acres of scenic countryside. Created in the 1930s and designed as a series of 'rooms', each garden has a distinct character in terms of colour and theme. We return to the hotel for our afternoon at leisure. Why not take the opportunity to head to nearby Rochester and follow in the footsteps of Charles Dickens, enjoy some retail therapy, or visit the imposing Norman castle? Alternatively, the Historic Dockyard in neighbouring Chatham is a popular filming location, used in Les Misérables and TV's Call the Midwife. Both are easily accessible, allowing for convenient use of local transport options from the hotel.

B, D

Day 4

Enjoy a leisurely start this morning; why not make use of the hotel's leisure facilities, including a swimming pool, before our afternoon excursion to magnificent Leeds Castle? One of Kent's best-known and most beautiful attractions, here you can discover over 900 years of history and explore 500 acres of stunning parkland. While you're here, visit a host of exhibitions, stunning birds of prey or take the time to explore beautiful gardens - the option is yours.

B, D

Day 5

We return home today.

B=Breakfast, D=Dinner

Holiday Inn (Rochester-Chatham) 3*

The modern Holiday Inn hotel has fully air-conditioned bedrooms and a fully equipped Spirit Health & Fitness Centre with a swimming pool, sauna, hot tub, steam room, and gym.

Hotel Facilities

Bar
Restaurant
Lift
Wi-Fi
2 Swimming pools
Steam room
Spa facilities

Below is a list of pick-up points available on this tour.

Name	Address	Distance
Alfreton	Bus Station, Hall Street, Alfreton, DE55 7BT
Arnold	High Street Bus Stop, Outside Leisure Centre Car Park, Arnold, NG5 7EE
Beeston	Beeston Lace Road, behind the Cricketers Pub Beeston, NG9 2LA
Bulwell	Aldi (Bus Stop SW12), Sellers Wood Drive, Bulwell, NG6 8GE
Chesterfield	Coach Station, Beckingham Way Chesterfield, S40 1TH
Derby	Bus Station, Bay 27 & 28, Derby, DE1 2AY
Heanor	Market Place, Wilmott Street (Market Square side) Heanor, DE75 7EG
Ilkeston	Wharncliffe Rd, Market Place, Ilkeston, DE7 5GF
Leicester	St Margarets Bus Station, Stand SA, Gravel Street, Leicester, LE1 3AG
Leicester Fosse Park	Leicester Fosse Park, Bus Stop, Fosse Park Avenue Next to ASDA (opposite petrol station), LE3 2LL
Long Eaton	The Green, Outside Poundland Long Eaton, Notts, NG10 1HQ
Loughborough	Amber Rooms, The Rushes Loughborough, LE11 5BE
Lutterworth	George Street, Outside Wycliffe Rooms Lutterworth, LE17 4EG
Mansfield	Bus Stop, Walkden Street Mansfield, NG18 1QN
Nottingham	Mount Street, Alongside the Grosvenor Casino, Nottingham, NG1 6HE
Ripley	Market Place, Express Stand Ripley, DE5 3FJ
Rotherham	Interchange Bay C1/ C2, Frederick Street, Rotherham , S60 1QB
Sheffield	Pond Hill, Opposite Penny Black Public House Sheffield, S1 2BG
Toton	Tram Stop Park and Ride, Toton Lane Notts, NG9 7JA