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Countryside Castles and Coast Tour in Kent

6 Reviews 5.00 out of 5 stars Based on 6 traveler reviews collected by Cool Shore Excursions and TripAdvisor |
Recommended by 100% of reviewers
100% of reviewers gave this experience a rating of 4 or higher.
| Dover, England
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from $1,158.25 per group (up to 7)

Lowest Price Guarantee
Punting on the Stour, Canterbury
The Rectory, Wickhambreaux
The cloisters, Canterbury cathedral
Countryside Castles and Coast Tour in Kent Image 4
The oldest house in Wingham
Don't miss out!
On average, this is booked 27 (0) days in advance.
7 hours (approx.)
Mobile ticket
Instant confirmation

Overview

If you want to see the very best of Kent in a small, exclusive group, then this is the tour for you! Your local guide, Dr Anthony Medhurst, knows the most beautiful and memorable sites, many of which are completely off the usual tourist trails. 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!

What's Included

  • Private transportation
  • Air conditioned vehicle
  • Wireless 'over the ear' headsets for high quality sound reproduction (even with hearing aids)
  • Lunch Guests are able to choose from a range of pubs, cafes and restaurants in Canterbury which best suits their taste and budget
  • Gratuities
  • Canterbury Cathedral (if you visit - optional)
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Meeting and Pickup

Pickup point
Pickup details

You will be met at any railway station or hotel within 20 miles of the Port of Dover, Kent (please advise your preferred pick-up or drop-off location at the time of booking).

OR
Meeting point

Western Docks
Dover CT17 9DQ, UK

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Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.

What To Expect

Book Online

Our secure website provides real-time availability, instant confirmation, and free, no-hassle cancellations up to 24 hours before your tour begins.
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The White Cliffs of Dover

You will first be driven to a special vantage point on the White Cliffs for views of Dover Castle, the harbour, the English Channel and, if the weather is clear, the nearby coastline of France.
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30 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Barham (pass by)

From here you will be taken through country lanes and rolling hills to view a number of breathtaking villages. You will be driven through the delightful wooded hills of Barham with its newly planted vineyards and quaint narrow street. You will pass the 13th century church of St John the Baptist with its green copper spire, quaint Kent peg tiled cottages and impressive views over the valley below.
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Bishopsbourne (pass by)

You will then head towards Bishopsbourne which is located within the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. You will pass the elegant stately home of Bourne Park which the composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart visited in 1865.
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Patrixbourne

Your guide will then show you the historic village of Patrixbourne with its particularly fine Norman church. Built of flint and stone from Caen in France, this pretty church is heavily influenced by French decorative practices. It has a glorious south doorway in the Norman style and a wheel window in the east end which date from the late 12th century.
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10 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Chilham Village

Your next stop will be for 45 minutes at perhaps the prettiest village of them all – Chilham. Thanks to its stunning 15th century square with black and white timbered Tudor buildings, Jacobean castle, church and pub, Chilham has unsurprisingly provided the location for films such as Emma (2009), 'The Canterbury Tales', and 'The Amorous Adventures of Moll Flanders'; historical dramas such as Agatha Christie's 'Poirot' and 'Miss Marple'; to detective shows such as 'Dempsey and Makepeace'. You will have a 45 minute stop here for morning tea and photo opportunities outside Chilham Castle, historic houses and charming cobbled square.
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45 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Canterbury Cathedral

After your refreshments at Chilham, your guide will then take you to the popular historic city of Canterbury with its three world heritage UNESCO sites - Canterbury Cathedral, St Augustine's Abbey and St Martin's church (the oldest in the country). You will stay here for three hours during which your guide will provide an historic overview of the city from Roman times to modern day. You will be able to choose whether to visit such landmarks as the Cathedral and castle, explore the enchanting medieval streets and houses, or stop for a relaxing pub lunch alongside the River Stour – the choice is yours!
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3 hours Admission Ticket Free

St. Augustine's Abbey (pass by)

As you leave the city centre, you will view the second of the city's most important world heritage landmarks - St Augustine's Abbey. Founded shortly after St Augustine arrived in Kent in AD597 to convert the Anglo-Saxons to Christianity, the abbey was a residence for Augustine and his brother monks and functioned as a monastery. It was also a ‘missionary school’ where classical knowledge and English learning flourished. Among its library of illuminated manuscripts, only 150 survived the English Reformation and the dissolution of the Monasteries in 1538. One of these – the ‘Canterbury Gospels’ – survived from AD597 and was used in the recent Coronation of King Charles III.
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Lady Wootton's Green (pass by)

As you leave the west end of the Abbey, you will pass two statues depicting King Ethelbert and Queen Bertha on Lady Wootton’s Green. Both represent the two people who were most responsible for welcoming Augustine into Canterbury and enabling him to build the foundation for Christianity throughout the country.
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St. Martin's Church, Canterbury, Kent

As the tour leaves the outskirts of the city, there will be the opportunity to observe the country’s oldest surviving church, St Martin’s, which also dates from cAD597. The church was originally a chapel used by Queen Bertha but became used as a base by Augustine. You will be able to view structures from Roman, Anglo-Saxon and Medieval periods.
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10 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Wickhambreaux

Your route will then head back towards the coast via a number of pretty villages for brief photo stops. You will first be driven to Wickhambreaux with its delightful medieval village green around which are located the church, the manor house, rectory, inn and mill. You can stop for photos at the 13th century church of St Andrews where one of the WWII Dambusters, Squadron Leader David Maltby, was both married and later buried after his death in 1943. Another famous resident of Wickhambreaux was the singer and musician, Christine MacVie, of Fleetwood Mac.
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15 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Ickham (pass by)

We will then depart for neighbouring Ickham with its attractive white weatherboard cottages, attractive listed buildings and 13th century church.
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Wingham (pass by)

Our penultimate stop will be along the ancient coastal road and village of Wingham which, with many buildings dating back to the 1200s including the Grade II listed ‘The Dog Inn’, provides a picture perfect end to the tour. These special locations provide opportunities to capture lasting memories of everything that is quintessentially and authentically Kent.
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Show 11 more stops

Additional Info

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • 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.

Frequently Asked Questions (7)

Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Countryside Castles and Coast Tour in Kent?

A: You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund. For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (GMT). Read more Apr 2025

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.

Still have questions?

We're here to help.
Activity code: C-384473P3

Traveler Photos

Reviews

5.00
6 reviews

Average 5.00 out of 5 stars based on 6 traveler reviews collected by Cool Shore Excursions and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor

5 stars
6
4 stars
0
3 stars
0
2 stars
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1 star
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Don't miss out!
On average, this is booked 27 (0) days in advance.
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Frequently Asked Questions (7)

Activity name

The answers provided below were previously given in response to questions from Cool Shore Excursions customers.

Filter by:

Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Countryside Castles and Coast Tour in Kent?
A:
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.
  • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.
  • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
  • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.
  • Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (GMT).
Apr 2025
Q: What's included in the price?
A:
The following is included:
  • Private transportation.
  • Air conditioned vehicle.
  • Wireless 'over the ear' headsets for high quality sound reproduction (even with hearing aids).
  • Parking Fees.
  • Guide with extensive local knowledge.
The following is NOT included:
  • Lunch. Guests are able to choose from a range of pubs, cafes and restaurants in Canterbury which best suits their taste and budget.
  • Gratuities.
  • Canterbury Cathedral (if you visit - optional).
Apr 2025
Q: What is the minimum age for this tour?
A:

There is no minimum age for this tour, so bring your wee one along for an adventure..

Apr 2025
Q: My date is not available in the calendar, I am just checking to see if it is available?
A:

If a date or time is not listed on the calendar, it’s sold out or unavailable for another reason. Support cannot assist further if a date or time is not on the calendar.

If you find a date and time that works for you, book it NOW because things always sell out at this time of year.

Apr 2025
Q: Is this an accessible tour?
A:

Accessibility information for the Countryside Castles and Coast Tour in Kent is as follows:

  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Apr 2025
Q: Where is the meeting point for this activity?
A:

Detailed check-in instructions – including meeting point address, Google map, and parking information – for Countryside Castles and Coast Tour in Kent will be included in your confirmation email from Cool Shore Excursions. Please be sure to double and triple check your email address is correct at checkout so this important email makes its way to you!

 

 

Mar 2024
Q: How long does a refund take to reach my card, and can I get it faster?
A:

Once your refund is processed, it usually shows on your card statement within 5–10 business days. The exact timing depends on your bank or card issuer.

Want it sooner? When you cancel, choose Receive a refund to my wallet instead. The credit is in your Wallet straight away and is applied automatically at checkout on your next booking when you’re signed in with the same email. You can see your balance any time in My Wallet.

If you paid part of your booking with Wallet credit, that part always goes back to your Wallet. Trip protection isn’t refundable.

Oct 2026

What's Included

Activity name

  • Private transportation
  • Air conditioned vehicle
  • Wireless 'over the ear' headsets for high quality sound reproduction (even with hearing aids)
  • Parking Fees
  • Guide with extensive local knowledge
  • LunchGuests are able to choose from a range of pubs, cafes and restaurants in Canterbury which best suits their taste and budget
  • Gratuities
  • Canterbury Cathedral (if you visit - optional)

Additional Info

Activity name

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • 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.

Report Product Issue

Activity name