Kent & Sussex, Historic Castles & Beautiful Gardens

Depart from you home airport to London Heathrow Airport

Arrival

Upon arrival at Heathrow Airport, a private transfer will take you to your hotel for the night, the Castle Hotel in Windsor. In the evening, join the group for a welcome drink and canapés, followed by dinner.

Ightham Mote, Knole House & the Royal Oak Foundation Conservation Studio

This morning we visit a medieval moated manor house, once described by historian David Starkey as ‘the most beautiful and the most interesting of English country houses’. Called Ightham Mote, this National Trust Property’s name is derived from the Saxon name, Ehta, and ‘mote’ reflects the residence’s location being surrounded by an actual fairytale moat. Built nearly 700 years ago, atmospheric Ightham has been home to medieval knights, courtiers to Henry VIII and Victorian High Society. We discover more on our guided tour here, before heading to our second National Trust property of the day, Knole House.

One of Britain’s most important and complete historic homes, the property is now cared for by the National Trust, and here we can discover more about its colorful past. Knole House was home to the Sackville family for 400 years, including novelist Vita Sackville-West, who used the house as inspiration for her novel, The Edwardians.

Next, we explore the Royal Oak Foundation Conservation Studio – the first of its kind in the National Trust, allowing visitors the unique opportunity to watch conservators at work, working on objects from collections across the Trust. Find out what there is to see and do at this distinctive property, plus a bit more about the centuries-old building itself.

Later, we check into the Spa Hotel, where we stay for the next three nights of our tour.

 

 

 

Sissinghurst Castle Garden & Great Dixter House

We head out early morning to Sissinghurst Castle Garden, created in the 1930s by novelist Vita Sackville-West and her husband Harold Nicolson. Set around the ruins of an Elizabethan manor house, these world-famous gardens are laid out as a series of individually-planted ‘rooms’, including a fragrant Herb Garden and Rose Garden, and are a delight to explore. Here we are treated to an exclusive out-of-hours tour and then stop for a light lunch at the café.

This afternoon, we visit Great Dixter, home of gardener and gardening writer Christopher Lloyd. A Garden Curator here treats us to a guided tour of the famous gardens, home to a spectacular mix of topiary, mixed borders, an orchard and a wildflower meadow. We also take a peek around the house, which, although largely medieval, has several later additions by Edwin Lutyens. Just one highlight is the Great Hall, one of the largest surviving timber-framed halls in the country.

Batemans & Pashley Manor

We visit 17th-century Bateman’s, which so enchanted Jungle Book author Rudyard Kipling when he discovered it that he made it his home in 1902. With its stone-mullioned windows and Sussex oak beams, it’s a romantic retreat that has been left virtually untouched since Kipling’s tenure here. The tranquil gardens include an orchard, a formal garden and a colorful wildflower meadow, through which a river flows.

Our afternoon is spent at Pashley Manor, where we enjoy a guided tour as well as tea and cake. Set against the beautiful backdrop of Pashley Manor House, home to the Sellick family, admire the elegant rose and historic walled gardens and explore the productive kitchen garden here.

 

 

 

Chartwell & Hever Castle and gardens

Today, we first visit Chartwell, Sir Winston Churchill’s beloved home from 1924 until his death. It still houses many of the great statesman’s personal and political mementoes, including an amazing collection of gifts he received from other world leaders. One of Churchill’s passions was painting; we see more of his work on our Churchill the Artist tour here.

We then pay a visit to the magnificent Hever Castle, the childhood home of Henry VIII’s second wife, Anne Boleyn. Dating back to the late 13th century, this double-moated castle is home to various historic artifacts, including Tudor portraits and furniture, as well as two prayer books inscribed by Anne Boleyn. The castle was lavishly restored by American millionaire William Waldorf Astor, in the early 20th century. We enjoy a private tour of the castle’s magnificent interior and of its grand exterior, comprising 125 acres of award-winning gardens, including a formal Italian Garden, the Tudor Garden and the English Rose Garden. There are also secret grottoes to discover along with the famous water maze.

We stay overnight at Hever Castle and enjoy our evening meal here.

Nymans & Arundel Castle

This morning we explore Nymans. In the late 19th century, the Messel family bought the Nymans Estate and created one of the country’s great gardens, with experimental designs and new plants from around the world. Partially destroyed by fire in 1947, the romantic ruins of the fairytale Gothic mansion remain.

In the afternoon, we make our way to Arundel Castle for a private guided tour. This imposing architectural gem is one of the longest inhabited country houses in England, having been the seat of the Dukes of Norfolk and their ancestors since 1067. Although restored and remodelled in the 19th century, many original features remain, such as the Norman keep and gatehouse, while the finely preserved interiors are home to priceless works of art.

This evening, we check in to the Harbour Hotel, our base for the next three nights.

 

 

 

Chichester

The cathedral city of Chichester is renowned for its stunning 200-year-old market that offers a glimpse into the rich history and vibrant culture of the area. This charming city is home to some of the country’s oldest buildings and streets, creating a picturesque setting. Our behind-the-scenes walking tour takes us on a discovery of the cathedral church of the Holy Trinity, an architectural masterpiece that stands as a testament to the city’s historical significance. We enjoy time at leisure here this afternoon.

West Dean Garden & Tinwood Vineyard

This morning, we visit West Dean Garden, a beautifully rejuvenated estate with diverse plant collections and a variety of themed gardens, including a Walled Garden, a Sunken Garden and a Pergola. We enjoy a leisurely walk along the paths and explore the Victorian glasshouses, while our guided tour by one of the gardeners here reveals more about the history behind these exquisite displays.

Later, we head to Tinwood Vineyard, located at the foot of the South Downs National Park. We tour the vineyard and learn about the winemaking process from grape to glass, along with a tasting session where we can sample a selection of their finest sparkling wines, accompanied by a platter of local cheeses.

Jane Austen House Museum & Savill Garden

For our first visit, we head to Jane Austen’s House Museum, the charming house where she spent the last eight years of her life. It was in this country cottage where Austen completed the majority of her mature writing, including the timeless Pride and Prejudice. The museum tells the story of the author and her family through a host of treasures, including first editions of Austen’s books, jewellery and furniture.

We enjoy an afternoon tea at the Savill Garden, Britain’s finest ornamental garden, in the heart of Windsor Great Park. Tranquil strolls are the order of the day as we explore the oasis of designed gardens and woodland. Created in the 1930s, acres upon acres of interconnected areas include the Hidden Gardens, Spring Wood, the Summer Gardens, the New Zealand Garden, Summer Wood and The Glades. The Rose Garden is an extra special addition, opened by Elizabeth II in 2010 and perfumed with the most beautiful rose-bed scents.

Later, we enjoy a farewell dinner at the hotel together.

Departure

A private transfer will take you back to Heathrow Airport for your return flight home.

Please note: the order of excursions is subject to change and guided tours are subject to restrictions.