Breathtaking Flora and Fauna with Elegant Estates
Moderate pace with leisurely intermittent walks up to 2 hours on a variety of terrain, including cobblestones and moderate hills. Must be able to climb at least two flights of stairs, negotiate steps without railings and tolerate periods of standing during guided tours. Some days may include 3–5 km of walking over the course of the day.
We depart for London.
We arrive and transfer to our 4-star hotel located in the seaside town of Folkestone for a 7-night stay.
We visit the jewel of Kent – Canterbury, where we embark on a historic riverboat or “punt” – a unique vantage point to see Canterbury’s stunning architecture. On our city tour we will visit England’s oldest cathedral (the seat of the Archbishop of Canterbury) and see the beautiful cloisters, side alleys and chapels which have evolved over the ages.
We begin with a visit to “The World’s Loveliest Castle”. Set in 500 acres of beautiful parkland, Leeds Castle was the private property of 6 medieval English monarchs and is now one of Britain’s most-visited historic buildings. Later we visit Sissinghurst Castle, created by Harold Nicholson and Vita Sackville-West in the 1930’s and one of the world’s most celebrated 20th century gardens.
The Isle of Thanet, now a part of the mainland, was where the Romans landed when they invaded Britain. Today it is home to a string of lovely Victorian seaside towns. We enjoy a walking tour of picturesque St. Peter’s, where the past is brought to life by costumed characters! Then we stop in Margate - an old English seaside town that now has a modern flavour. We will stop at the Spitfire Museum, home to famous WW II fighter planes. Dinner will be at a lovely 15th century coaching inn.
Folkstone’s Creative Quarter features a host of independent shops and galleries lining the cobbled streets. You may also enjoy lovely coastal walks, and our hotel is near the train station if you want to venture further afield.
Great Dixter was the home of the famous gardener Christopher Lloyd, and since this historic house and garden was the focus of his work for over 40 years, it has become a centre of education and a place of pilgrimage for horticulturists from all over the world. After our visit, we proceed to Battle - one of England’s most important historic sites. It was here that the army of William the Conqueror won the Battle of Hastings, seized the kingdom and changed British history forever. The town has beautiful old buildings, tempting shops and tea rooms. Dinner will be at a charming country pub.
Today we visit two historic estates brought together by Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn. We start with Penshurst Place, once the hunting lodge of Henry VIII. It is now considered “the grandest and most perfectly-preserved example of a fortified manor house in all England”. The gardener will show us around one of the finest examples of Elizabethan gardens. Then we visit Hever Castle, childhood home of Anne Boleyn. This castle was the unlikely backdrop to a series of tumultuous events that changed the course of Britain’s history, monarchy and religion. Included today is a delicious “proper” cream tea.
Enroute to London, we visit Chatham’s Historic Dockyard. For 400 years workers at the Royal Dockyard at Chatham constructed ships for the Royal Navy, including the nation’s most loved – HMS Victory. We enjoy a tour and lunch, then proceed to London for a 6-night stay.
On our city tour we will see iconic sites such as Big Ben, Trafalgar Square, the Tower of London and much more. Just a short walk from our hotel we visit the Royal Albert Hall - one of London’s most famed buildings. Experience the excitement inside one of the world’s most famous venues as it prepares for the next performance. The afternoon is at leisure.
In the heart of Windsor lies Savill Gardens, home to plants collected from around the world. It is one of England’s finest woodland gardens. Today we also enjoy a narrated cruise along the River Thames which will provide some of the best views of Windsor Castle in the distance.
A leisurely morning before we spend the afternoon at the famous UNESCO World Heritage Site of Kew Gardens - beautiful botanical gardens as well as the most biodiverse place on Earth, with over 50,000 living plants. From Victorian glasshouses to an Alpine rock garden, there is something to see in every corner. We will dine in a modern pub overlooking the gardens.
A day at leisure for you to explore on your own.
This morning we visit the magnificent Hampton Court Palace. From humble beginnings in the 11th century it has become one of the world’s finest palaces. We’ll explore the Tudor kitchen, see the King and Queen’s apartments and admire the sumptuous tapestries in England’s greatest Great Hall. Outside, try not to get lost in the world’s most famous maze and the Privy Garden, restored to its 1702 glory. Next is Wimbledon, of tennis fame, where we can learn about the history of “The Fortnight” in the museum, get up close to the Championship Trophies, and touch the tennis fashions from the Victorian era with clothing and equipment donated by the sport’s top stars. Our Farewell Dinner tonight is in a 19th-century cottage on the edge of Wimbledon Common, now an elegant pub – how perfect!
Air Canada takes us home.
You may cancel your tour up to 60 days prior to departure (90 days prior for tours requiring a visa, cruises or rail journeys) for any reason, and receive a full refund of your deposit / payment (less the $75 administration fee).
Cancellation & trip interruption insurance included!
Included in the cost of your tour is our Cancellation Insurance Policy, which provides coverage in case of emergency injury or illness (including Covid), right up to your date of departure (terms and conditions apply).
Our Manulife Out-of-Country Health Insurance Plan covers expenses related to Trip Interruption in case of emergency injury or illness. For tours within Canada, Senior Discovery Tours will cover such expenses (terms and conditions apply to all policies).
