Leeds Castle, Canterbury, White Cliffs of Dover and Greenwich
Tour Description
Tour 10 – Leeds Castle, Canterbury, Dover and Greenwich River Cruise (Tour 10L includes lunch)
This fantastic day long tour will give you a wonderful historical insight into some traditional English landmarks: Leeds Castle, Canterbury Cathedral, White Cliffs of Dover and the Naval College and Observatory in Greenwich.
Built in 1119, Leeds Castle is nestled in the heart of Kent. In 1278, it passed into Royal hands and was visited frequently by Henry VIII in Tudor times. Since then it has been privately owned by some prestigious families, the evidence of which is found in the luxurious interiors and family treasures. The wonderful architecture of this magnificent castle is offset against fabulous grounds and gardens, all of which can be explored. Enjoy the year long display of flora, from the colourful spring bulbs and wild wood flowers, to the heady scented herbs and roses in the famous Culpeper Garden or the late flowering Mediterranean Lady Baille Garden. You can also marvel at some of the falconry displays or the perfect Englishness of the wandering peacocks or black swans elegantly gliding along the moat or various waterways.
On to Canterbury. Originally a Celtic settlement, this fascinating Medieval City has been the centre of Christianity since 597 when the Kingdom of Kent converted from Catholicism. Since then, it has been home to the Head of the English Church, the Archbishop. In 1170, Thomas Beckett was famously murdered at the Cathedral and it subsequently became the scene for Christian Pilgrimage throughout the world.
Ancient monuments in the city itself include the remains of a City Wall from Roman times and rebuilt in the 14th Century. The ruins of St Augustine’s Abbey and a Norman Castle. And then perhaps the oldest school in England, King’s School. This Medieval school is said to have been founded in 597 by St Augustine and famous scholars include famous poet and dramatist Christopher Marlowe who was a student in 1580.
Lunch if you book Tour 10L will be in Canterbury.
Then the tour will proceed to Dover where you get to see the famous White Cliffs that have become so famous. Part of the British coastline, they face the strait of Dover and France and can actually be seen from the Cap Griz Nez in France. The origins of these cliffs can be traced back to the Cretacious period and behind the cliff face, miles of tunnels played a part in Britain’s defence during the Napoleonic Wars, later expanded to become the famous secret wartime tunnels. In World War II, British pilots saw the wonderful expanse of dramatic cliffs as homecoming and of course Vera Lyn immortalised them in the famous wartime song, ‘(There’ll be Bluebirds over) The White Cliffs of Dover’. Did you know however that Blue Birds are an American species of bird, not to be found in the UK?
A trip to Greenwich will be yet another opportunity to marvel at some fascinating English architecture. The Old Royal Naval College stands on the River Thames in its own landscaped grounds. It was established in 1694 by Royal Charter for the relief and support of Seamen and their dependents. It was designed by Sir Christopher Wren and a succession of famous architects worked on it until its’ completion in 1751. In 1806 Lord Nelson was laid in State in the Painted Hall. Closure of the Royal Hospital there was in 1869 and in 1873 the Naval College was opened. Thereafter, the College became an important era in the training of Naval Officers and during the second World War, nearly 27,000 recruits passed through the doors.
At Greenwich, you can also visit the Royal Observatory which is home of the Greenwich Mean Time and Prime Meridean Line. It was funded by Charles II in 1675 and by International Decree is the starting point for each new day, year and millenium.
This wonderful historical tour ends with a relaxing Thames Cruise that departs from Greenwich and takes you past some other magnificent historical sights on its’ way to Embankment Pier.
Tags: Canterbury, Dover, Greenwich, Leeds Castle, tour 10, tour 10L