Leeds Castle, Canterbury, Dover & Greenwich Tour from London

• Private viewing of Leeds Castle before the public are allowed in

• Photo stop at Dover

• Entrance to Canterbury Cathedral

• Time at historic Greenwich with walking tour

• Cruise along the River Thames from Greenwich to London

• Luxury air conditioned motor coach with free Wi-Fi and services of a professional guide

Tour days and times

Apr - Oct: Wednesdays and Fridays

8.15am - departs from London Victoria Coach Station

7.00pm - returns to London (Embankment Pier)

Leeds Castle

Leeds Castle, the first stop on the tour is about 90 minutes journey south east of London. During that short time you would have heard about Leeds Castle its history and interesting snippets from your guide. The castle has a history stretching back a thousand years, where the original stone castle was laid in the time of William the Conqueror's son, Henry I.

Leeds castle was described as the "loveliest castle in the world" by Lord Conway, an explorer in 1913. Set in an idyllic situation, the Norman castle was built on two small islands, in the middle of a lake, surrounded by a vast estate.

You will explore the chapel, galleries, courtyards and banqueting hall before taking time to enjoy the setting and wildlife, which includes wildfowl and black swans.

Leeds Castle opens to the public at 10.30am but you will arrive 30 minutes before and are taken on a private tour of the castle.

Leeds Castle - more about

 

Dover photo/lunch stop

After about 90 minutes at Leeds Castle we make a brief photo stop in Dover. You can view the famous white cliffs from here with the historic Dover Castle sat on top of them. On a clear day you can even make out the edge of France.

 

Canterbury

It is now early afternoon as you drive out of Dover on the short trip to Canterbury.

The ancient city of Canterbury has been the centre of Christian worship for almost 1,700 years. Its greatest treasure is the cathedral, infamous as the setting for the brutal murder of Thomas Beckett in 1170. His tomb can be seen in St. Thomas’s in Trinity Chapel behind the high altar.

Beckett's martyrdom lead to Canterbury Cathedral becoming the centre of one of the most important medieval pilgrimages in Europe, and inspiration for Geoffrey Chaucer's famous work, The Canterbury Tales.

Your ticket includes entrance to the Cathedral and also allows some free time to explore the atmospheric old town and find somewhere for lunch.

Canterbury - more about

 

Greenwich & river cruise to Embankment Pier London

It is now late afternoon and another hour or so's drive to Greenwich where we should arrive around 5pm.

Packed with exquisite parks, gardens, and architecture, Greenwich has strong connections with the sea, science, sovereigns and time. We will have time to take a look at the Cutty Sark, the fastest sailing ship of its time.

As the early evening approaches you will enjoy a river cruise back to the centre of London (around an hour). You will pass by historic sights such as the Tower of London, Elizabeth Tower with Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, before arriving at Westminster pier where your tour ends.

The estimated time of arrival back in London is 7pm.

Embankment Pier is next to Embankment Underground and a very short walk to Big Ben and Westminster Abbey.