Dover to Central London/Heathrow via Canterbury & Leeds Castle Transfer Tour

We depart Dover and drive up and above the famous white cliffs, continuing through this chalk landscape, our guide will illustrate the history of this land from Celtic settlers and Roman invaders to the Saxon migration and the Norman conquest.

Our first stop is the magnificent city of Canterbury with its world famous Cathedral. Formerly known the Roman town of Durovernum Canticorum there is an excellent museum in the city dedicated to the Roman occupation of the 1st to 4th centuries. It was here on Whit Sunday in 597AD that the Pope Gregory’s representative and envoy, St Augustine baptised King Ethelbert, thus creating the historic heart of England’s Christian heritage. 

Our visit to Canterbury begins with a guided tour of the city, visiting the ancient walls and to the remains of the castle, finishing at the cathedral gatehouse. You will then have some free time in which you could visit Canterbury Cathedral (entry is not included). Inside Canterbury Cathedral, which was largely rebuilt by the Normans in the 11th century, you can see the tomb of King Henry IV and resting place of the hero of Poitiers, The Black Prince. We also learn of the death in 1170 of Thomas Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury. This ‘murder in the cathedral’ is known around the globe and the true nature of the involvement of Henry II is still open to debate today. Join our guide as we present the discussions both for and against in this dark and brutal event.

If you choose not to enter Canterbury Cathedral, you could spend your free time exploring the historic side streets in this city and the many unusual shops and cafes it has to offer. 

After your free time ends, we meet up again to continue touring this unique and charming part of the country. Known as the Garden of England, simply because it provided London and other regions with fresh fruit and vegetables, not forgetting hops to flavour traditional English ale. We pass Oast Houses and Hop fields, orchards and vineyards as we make our way to Leeds Castle, described by Lord Conway as ‘the loveliest castle in the world’. Entry is included to Leeds Castle and Gardens.

Beautifully set on two islands in the middle of a lake and dating back to 880AD, Leeds Castle has been the home to many English Queens from the end of the 12th century to Tudor times. Beautiful landscaped gardens are a main feature of the grounds as is the stunning lake. Explore the lavish interior and admire the historic rooms then get lost in the famous maze.

Our departure mid afternoon will take us straight into London to drop at your chosen hotel before our final drops at Heathrow airport in the early evening. We drive into London through Royal Greenwich and then continue towards Tower Bridge with a view of the Tower of London, before starting our central London hotel drop offs.