Railways and Castles of Kent

Explore the beautiful landscape and exciting heritage railways and history of the ‘Garden of England’ on an all new holiday to Kent.

• Conveniently based throughout in the historic cathedral city Canterbury, you will enjoy an ideal mix of steam-hauled journeys, fascinating castle visits and natural discovery.
• The heritage railways included in the programme are the Kent & East Sussex, Sittingbourne & Kemsley, Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch, the Bredgar & Wormshill. 
• Step back in time with a visits to Bodiam Castle and Leeds Castle, as well as historic Chatham Dockyard.
• Journey through beautiful Kent countryside and pretty towns and villages, the Garden of England with all that has to see and offer.

Monday 27 July 

London to Canterbury, Canterbury Castle and Cathedral

You depart London St Pancras in the morning and travel by an HS1 train to Canterbury West where we join our coach. We then make visits to Canterbury Castle and Cathedral, before checking into the hotel and a welcome dinner will be served this evening. (D)

Tuesday 28 July 

Kent & East Sussex Railway and Bodiam Castle

Today we first travel by coach to Tenterden, where we board an old steam train on the Kent & East Sussex Railway. We travel in a reserved carriage, as we head towards Bodiam. At Bodiam we make the short walk to National Trust’s Bodiam Castle. First there will be a light lunch served at the Castle Inn. This picture-perfect moated medieval castle was built in 1385 by a noble knight named Sir Edward Dalyngrigge. The castle with ruined interior features spiral staircases, battlements and a portcullis and is a fascinating step back in time. After the castle visit, we return by steam to Tenterden, where we have some free time to explore this Kentish town, before heading back by coach to Canterbury. In the evening a group dinner is served at the hotel restaurant. (B L D)

Wednesday 29 July

Historic Chatham Dockyard and Sittingbourne & Kemsley Light Railway

In the morning you travel by coach to Chatham Dockyard, where you can engage with Britain’s rich maritime history in an authentic setting marked by impressive architecture that served the Royal Navy for centuries. A number of historic vessels representing different periods of shipbuilding can be visited, with additional exhibits and museum galleries on site. In the early afternoon you carry on to the nearby Sittingbourne & Kemsley Light Railway, which is located on the site of a former industrial railway serving an old paper mill along the banks or the River Swale. With its collection of ancient saddle tank engines, the 2 mile long line provides a delightful experience on the return run to Kemsley Down. You return to Canterbury in the late afternoon to enjoy dinner. (B D)

Thursday 30 July

Steam to the seaside at the Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway

Today you visit one of the most iconic and simply also exhilarating railways in all of England. Legendary for its distinct and exciting 15-inch gauge, the (RH&DR) has a 13.5 mile main line to the Dungeness Power Station, with trains racing up to 25 mph, which at such a gauge and in open coaches feels gives a tremendous feeling of speed, acceleration and pure steam power. You spend the entire morning and afternoon at the railway, taking advantage of a rover ticket to ride numerous engines but also visit local attractions and points of interest in towns along the line. Upon return to Canterbury, tonight you are free to spend an evening at leisure. (B)

Friday 31 July

White Cliffs of Dover by Southeastern train, Folkestone seaside and the Kent Battle of Britain Museum

After breakfast you take a Southeastern service train from Canterbury East to Dover Priory, where you change for another service for the continuation by rail along the spectacular White Cliffs of Dover to Folkestone Central, arguably the Southeast’s most scenic stretch of main line railway. There a coach awaits us for the short drive to the town’s seaside promenade with sandy beaches, where you can enjoy some free time and why not have Fish and Chips for lunch. Afterwards you transfer to the Kent Battle of Britain Museum. There you can learn more about ‘The Finest Hour’ and see a number of preserved aircraft from 1940. Later in afternoon you return to Canterbury by service train, for another chance of enjoying the seaside run by Southeastern train. Once back in Canterbury, you have another evening at leisure in the cathedral city. (B)

Saturday 1 August

Leeds Castle and Maidstone Gin Distillery

This morning after a leisurely breakfast, our coach takes you to Leeds Castle, with its picture-perfect moat and turreted buildings and considered one of the finest such examples in England. You will be able to explore the castle, stunning gardens, maze, Bird of Prey Centre and bird displays. Following you visit you travel to the nearby town of Maidstone. Here you will visit the beautifully restored Maidstone Gin Distillery, which offers an award-winning visitor experience with the opportunity to sample the hand-crafted spirits.  After an enthralling day, you return to Canterbury by coach to enjoy a farewell dinner with your fellow travellers at our riverside restaurant. (B D)

Sunday 2 August

Bredgar & Wormshill Railway and travel home

In the morning you visit the narrow gauge Bredgar & Wormshill Railway, near Sittingbourne for one of its special event days with steam traction. This delightful railway is operated by volunteers and features an impressive collection of tank engines and attractive signal boxes. There’s also a lovely tea room, where you will be able to purchase refreshments for your lunch. This will be a fitting finale to your Kent adventure. After the railway visit, the coach takes you to Maidstone East station, from where there are direct trains to either London Charing Cross or London Victoria and your journey home (B)