Combine your Dover cruise transfer with a days sightseeing! Step aboard our luxury coach with our friendly driver and expert tour guide for a tour of the Garden of England – Kent, visiting historic Canterbury and beautiful Leeds Castle and a tour of the orchards, hop fields and vineyards of the county of Kent. This service is available on all dates when Princess or Carnival cruise ships are visiting Dover.
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.
Departure
As you exit the cruise terminal you will meet your guide and there will be a typical walk of about 100 yards to the vehicle. Your driver will be holding a sign and will accompany you the vehicle.
Princess & Carnival cruises are scheduled to arrive between 05:00am and 06:00am in the morning with disembarkation starting around 07:00am. Your guide will meet you at the terminal building exit from 08:00am. We plan to leave Dover by 08:30am.
In the unlikely event your ship is delayed into port, we will delay our departure time accordingly (applicable only to the listed ships we service). For all delayed ship arrivals we will aim to leave at the latest one hour after docking (earlier if possible).
In the unlikely event your ship is delayed into port we will delay our departure time accordingly. For all delayed ship arrivals we will aim to leave at the latest one hour after docking (earlier if possible).
Arrival at London & Heathrow
We offer a drop off at most London city centre hotels, Heathrow Terminals and selected Heathrow hotels. We also drop at all London city centre train stations.
Please note on arrival in London we may use other vehicles to ensure we complete the drop offs as quickly and efficiently as possible. If this does happen our drivers or guides will manage this.
We will spend 2 – 2.5 hours in Canterbury. We will then spend 3 hours at Leeds Castle.
Luggage
Please note that all timings above are estimated and assuming normal traffic conditions. Due to the changeable nature of road conditions, we cannot guarantee a precise time when you will arrive at Heathrow and London.
Each person is allowed a maximum of 2 items of hold luggage (23kg each) and 2 items of carry on luggage (10kg each).
Should you wish to bring any mobility aids (wheelchairs or walkers) you MUST contact us in advance to let us know. We will require full dimensions and weight. These items must be able to be folded and stored in the luggage hold. Wheelchairs must be counted as 1 item of your hold luggage.
Additional charges will be incurred should you bring additional items of luggage or for items weighing more than the maximum weight stated above.
Transfer tour includes:
| Departure Dates | Adult | Child: Age 3 to 15 |
|---|---|---|
| 2024: June 16, 25, 28 | $250 | $240 |
| 2024: July 7, 19, 28 | $250 | $240 |
| 2024: August 9, 18 | $250 | $240 |
Rates are per person