Canterbury Cathedral Hever Castle and Dover Castle Private Tour
Description
Explore the beautiful scenery of the English countryside with a day trip to Kent. Known as the Garden of England, Kent is home to historic buildings, stunning beaches and family-friendly attractions. On this tour, you’ll visit Hever Castle and explore the Italian Garden. The Rose Garden. The Long Gallery. Diana’s walk along with the Lake Walk. The English Yew Maze and The Tudor Garden. Canterbury Cathedral, one of the oldest Christian structures in the UK, explores the White Cliffs of Dover and Dover Castle. Your tour time starts from the moment you meet your driver. This tour duration is 12 hours of which, You will spend 7 hours visiting the sites and 5 hours on journeys.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Founded by St Augustine in 597 AD, Canterbury Cathedral is a unique place of worship, a major pilgrimage destination, a masterpiece of art and architecture, and one of the UK's most-visited historic sites. Often referred to as ‘England in stone', the Cathedral has been at the center of momentous events and upheavals. It is the Mother Church of the worldwide Anglican Communion, seat of the Archbishop of Canterbury, UNESCO World Heritage Site, and resting place of royalty and saints. Explore the markings of builders, staff and visitors. The alterations to architecture show the development of the church, the masons marks show where they labored, and the markings made by visitors, scratches of ‘medieval graffiti’, give some insight to those that have walked this way before, leaving an anonymous notation in history. We can buy the tickets for you in advance.
Spanning more than 600 years, the history of Hever Castle is rich and varied. The original medieval defensive castle, with its gatehouse and walled bailey, was built in 1383. In the 15th and 16th centuries it was the home of one of the most powerful families in the country, the Boleyns, who modernized the existing dwelling within the walls. The Castle is also testament to the remarkable efforts of a wealthy American, William Waldorf Astor, who used his fortune to restore and extend the Castle in the early 20th century, saving it from ruin. Astor paid great attention to detail and insisted that his workmen used, as far as possible, the same materials and tools as Tudor and Elizabethan craftsmen. The award-winning gardens at Hever Castle offer many magnificent areas that are a pleasure to visit at any time of the year.
Dover Castle probably originated as a motte and bailey castle, built after the Norman Conquest of 1066. It was transformed by King Henry II between 1179 and 1188; building the keep, the walls of the inner bailey and parts of the outer curtain wall.
We highly recommend visiting the White Cliffs of Dover. These incredible iconic cliffs are worth the visit alone. There can be no doubt that the White Cliffs of Dover are one of this country's most spectacular natural features. They are an official icon of Britain and have been a sign of hope and freedom for centuries. You can appreciate their beauty and enjoy their special appeal through the seasons by taking one of the dramatic cliff-top walks offering unrivaled views of the busy English Channel and the French coast. There is no entry fee, just a parking charge which we provide. The total tour duration is 12 hours of which, You will spend 7 hours visiting the sites and 5 hours on journeys.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
Pick-Up and Drop-Off Information This tour includes complimentary pick-up and drop-off service. We will collect you from your hotel or private address and return you to the same location at the end of the tour, unless you advise us otherwise. There is no additional charge for this service. Hotel Pick-Up: Please wait in the hotel lobby at the scheduled pick-up time. Your driver will come inside to meet you. Private Address Pick-Up: Please wait outside the main entrance of the property at the scheduled pick-up time. If your hotel is not listed during the booking process, please inform us at the time of booking or send us an email after your reservation is confirmed, and we will arrange your pick-up accordingly. If you do not yet have your pick-up details at the time of booking, please provide them at least 12 hours before the tour start time, or as soon as they become available.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Hever Castle. The Water Maze. Cool down in the Water Maze but don’t forget to bring a towel! Situated on Sixteen Acre Island it is a maze with a difference that consists of a series of concentric stepping stone walkways sitting over water; at intervals the stones tilt when stood on and hidden water jets spring into action to soak the unwary visitor. The aim is to reach the stone grotto in the centre without getting wet. Few are successful although it is great fun and challenges young and old alike.
- For the Water Maze you must bring towel
Reviews(4)
It was a long day but worth it. We started at the Dover Castle which was positioned by the English Channel. Loved the history! Then we walked along the white cliffs of Dover. Very calming and beautiful. Our next stop was Canterbury which was a charming village. The history of the Cathedral was fascinating. The last stop was Hever Castle. So rich in history especially if you find Henry the VIII interesting. The gardens surrounding the castle reminded me of Rome. Perfect place for a stroll. Our driver Kamal was professional and kind. He kept us on time so that we could enjoy these wonders! It was a great day!
This is a driver for the day and not a private tour. A private tour would engage you in the long drive from London, about the landscape we were going through and the places were were going to see and accompany us through those places providing insights. But no, ‘the ticket office is over there and I’ll meet you here in an hour.’ Kamal was a good driver and adapted the day to our preferences. We did have a great day and particularly enjoyed Canterbury Cathedral and Hever Castle. But in the end there was not a lot of value add above transportation to justify the cost.
Mr. Kamal was a wonderful host. He was not a tour guide, so we didn’t interact a lot. He was very friendly and accommodating. We spent a few hours on Canterbury at the Cathedral and exploring the city. It was breathtaking! We went on to Dover Castle which was also historical and interesting. The best part was our lovely trip to Hever Castle. Hever is endlessly fascinating and beautiful. It may be my favourite place in Britain. Next time I will spend an entire day there. I didn’t see enough of the grounds.
Book your entry to the castles and cathedral at the same time as the tour. Dover and Hever castles were closed during my visit so I did not get to enjoy the tours of those locations. Guide was trying to offer alternates to make up for these omissions.
Thank you for your kind review.
