All tours on this holiday have now departed. Future departure dates will be confirmed in due course.
Dover Castle
Bodiam castle
Dover Castle
Bodiam castle
Rochester Cathedral
Rochester Castle
Rochester Cathedral
Bodiam castle
Tonbridge Castle
Rochester Castle
Tonbridge Castle
Henry II’s glorious Dover Castle
Rochester magnificent Castle and Cathedral
14th century Bodiam Castle – a splendid display of defence and wealth
Tonbridge Castle on the Medway
Eynsford Castle, set in a picturesque Kentish village
The invading Normans brought the concept of the castle to England in 1066, and it was following the conquest that much castle construction began. Being on the front lines of England against attack from Europe, both Kent and Sussex have many spectacular castles built throughout the ages, to both defend and display power. Our tour explores five of these, each demonstrating different characteristics and styles, whilst putting them into the historical and social context of when they were built. Join author, TV presenter and historian Dr Marc Morris to explore some of the finest examples throughout Kent and into neighbouring Sussex.
Day 1: Arrive independently at the Maidstone Orida Hotel from 15.00. This evening there will be a welcome reception, private dinner with wine and an introductory talk by Dr Marc Morris - ‘An introduction to castles’.
Day 2: Rochester and Dover
We begin at Rochester, the tallest great tower (or keep) of its type in Europe, soaring to 125 feet tall. Built for the archbishop of Canterbury from 1127, it was attacked and partially destroyed in 1215 by King John in one of the most spectacular sieges of the entire Middle Ages. There will also be time to explore Rochester’s adjacent cathedral, also built in the twelfth century in the same Romanesque style. From Rochester we head to Dover, arguably the greatest castle complex in Britain. Perched high on the famous White Cliffs, Dover’s great tower has been lavishly refitted by English Heritage to appear as it did in the time of its builder, Henry II. After exploring the interior we will investigate the great siege that took place here in 1216, as well as the castle’s Roman lighthouse, Anglo-Saxon church and later medieval defences. (NB Due to limitations of time, this tour does not include Dover’s WWII tunnels.) Tonight there will be dinner in the hotel restaurant.
Day 3: Eynsford Castle, Tonbridge Castle and Bodiam Castle
We first head to Eynsford, a pretty village with a small, ruinous castle built very soon after the Norman Conquest. From there we move to Tonbridge, which boasts one of the largest mottes in England, as well as a splendid thirteenth-century gatehouse, the model for similar examples built by the English during the conquest of Wales. Finally, we cross into Sussex to arrive at Bodiam. One of the most photogenic castles in Britain, Bodiam is deliberately contrived for dramatic effect. Built in the late fourteenth century by an ambitious local knight, anxious to advertise his new-found wealth and power. Situated in the middle of a mirror-like moat, its walls punctuated with towers, turrets, gatehouses and battlements, Bodiam is in fact a comfortable home, its interior more akin to a courtyard house or Oxbridge college. Return to the hotel for approximately 17.30.
NB: Exact order of excursions may vary according to local conditions and tour manager's discretion.
Please note the maximum group size on this tour is 48 passengers.
INCLUDED
NOT INCLUDED
Orida Hotel, Maidstone
Contemporary four star hotel located on the outskirts of Maidstone. Facilities here include leisure centre with indoor pool, bar and restaurant. Bedrooms are comfortable with all modern amenities including en-suite bathroom, TV, telephone, free wifi and hairdryer.
Car parking: Car parking is available at the hotel at £5 per day, payable directly at the hotel.
Your Tour Expert - Dr Marc Morris
Your host Dr Marc Morris. Marc is a medieval historian and broadcaster best known for his TV series on British castles. In 2008 he published a bestselling biography of Edward I, "A Great and Terrible King", to widespread critical acclaim and his new book "The Norman Conquest" is every bit as engagingly written.
Please note that all our UK tours start and finish at the relevant hotel.
You can normally check in from 3pm onwards but hotels will always be happy to store your luggage if you arrive earlier in the day.
For full details of how to get to the hotel, directions and the nearest train station, please click on the hotel website or call our office for details. These will also be sent automatically with your confirmation.
The welcome reception and first evening dinner / talk will commence at about 6pm - full details will be sent with your joining instructions about 10 days prior to the arrival date.
a very interesting tour but the number of spiral staircases we were required to ascend and descend was not mentioned in the brochure or at the start of each day and really were beyond several of the passengers, especially as the tour was marked as moderate walking.
Review by Barrett who travelled 07-June-2024
Travel Editions feedback:
Thank you for your feedback and we are delighted that the tour was a success. Your comments are noted, and we will review this.
This was a bit of a reunion, it was my third Travel Editions tour with Marc Morris - I’d previously done north and south Wales with him - and I lose track of the number of Travel Editions tours with Mike Stone who’s also excellent. Marc is top notch, a great scholar who knows his stuff and can put it across. I’d go on another tour with him. Introduction of radio mike technology made communicating with a large group very easy, this should probably be standard nowadays. The hotel was reasonable. It was low rise, only two stories, and didn’t have a lift for those on the first floor. That’s not very good in the 21st century, the tour group wasn’t particularly young! I only had a smallish bag, some may have had difficulties. It was disappointing not to have wine with the second night’s meal, why not add a couple of pounds to the tour cost to cover this? Overall the tour was first rate, roll on the next!
Review by Wall who travelled 07-June-2024
Travel Editions feedback:
Thank you for your feedback and we are delighted that the tour and reunion with Mark Morris was such a success. We have noted your comments about the hotel and we will look into this regarding future groups.
My fourth trip with Travel Editions, good as ever.
Review by Hazelwood who travelled 07-June-2024
Review by Potts who travelled 07-June-2024
