CANTERBURY TALES TOURS - private driving tours from London

CANTERBURY TALES TOUR
Medieval high-jinks, castles and cathedrals, and a prize in the offing.

● Personally-guided full-day driving tour from London.
● For couples, families or private groups. Duration: 9 hours.
● Prices and practical details listed below. Bookings: tours@yourlondontours.com.

ITINERARY - SET TOUR

The Tales
Almost 850 years ago, the Christian world was rocked by a shocking assassination. Thomas Beckett, one of the most powerful holy men in Europe, was murdered near the altar of his own Canterbury Cathedral on the King's authority. Sometime in the late 14th century, a few years after the great plague had ravaged the country, a London poet began writing one of the most famous books in English literature.

The Canterbury Tales is the story of a group of pilgrims who set out from London to visit the holy shrine of the now sainted Thomas Beckett. The unelected leader of this posse, the landlord of the inn they set out from, issues a challenge to the group of travellers: the one who tells the best story to while away the journey will win a free meal on their return to London. What follows is a rip-roaring and frankly rude collection of tales, as apparently recorded by one of their number, Geoffrey Chaucer.

Our Pilgrimage
This tour follows exactly the route taken in those bygone times. Unfortunately, the inn the original travellers set out from is no longer around, but we can set forth from the medieval pub that backed onto it. A synopsis of each ‘Tale’ is covered on the way. And just to make things even more interesting, Your London Tours, like our erstwhile innkeeper, also issues a challenge: the member of the tour group who relates the best story, or tells the funniest joke, or sings the best song during the journey down will also win a prize: a slap-up fish & chip lunch in Canterbury itself! The guide will be the judge. Just before lunch we will visit Canterbury Cathedral, and see the site of Beckett's murder and his shrine.
● Entrances payable - family/group rate available. Not included in tour price.

After lunch we visit Dover Castle. Dover is England’s right foot and has been the country’s front line since time immemorial. King Henry II had it built as a 'hospitality suite' for foreign dignitaries visiting Thomas Beckett's shrine. In England's first ever state visit, the French king Louis VII stayed here. Later the castle was used as a defence against him, and in later centuries, Napoleon and Hitler. Simply packed with history.
● February-October: open daily. November to January: not Tuesdays or Wednesdays.
● Entrances payable - family/group rate available. Not included in tour price.

PRICE OPTIONS
CANTERBURY TALES: PERSONALLY-GUIDED FULL DAY SET TOUR	PRICE (Full day 9 hours).
BY PRIVATE CAR (1-4 passengers)	£400.00 (per car) + any entrance fees.
BY PRIVATE CAR (5-7 passengers)	£430.00 (per car) + any entrance fees.
BY PRIVATE MINIBUS (8-20 passengers)	£750.00 (per coach) + any entrance fees.
BY PRIVATE COACH (21-50 passengers)	£850.00 (per coach) + any entrance fees.
RENT-A-GUIDE (transport provided and arranged by client)	£240.00 (per group) + any entrance fees.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION
● General: Rest assured with Your London Tours: All our tours are tailored to YOUR requirements. The guide will be exclusively dedicated to your family or group during the tour itself, so you will be able to relax and enjoy your day.

● Important note: 'Private tour' means a privately chartered guided tour by luxury car, mini-coach or public transport. We do not offer tours to individuals wishing to join a larger group (for this you require a scheduled coach tour operator).

● Availability: To avoid disappointment, we recommend early booking to secure your preferred date. Dates may be subject to the availability of appropriate guides. Access to attractions may also be subject to daily or seasonal variations in opening times.

● The guide: Your tour will be conducted by a fully accredited & qualified guide who will confirm your itinerary at the start of the tour and provide a friendly and knowledgeable commentary throughout. For private car tours the guide will also drive the vehicle.

● Pick-up/drop-off: You can be picked-up for your tour anywhere in the London area, whether at your hotel, place of residence, or any venue of your request. The same applies as a dropping-off point after the tour.

● Timings: The guide will meet you at the recommended start time of 09.00 or any time of your request. The duration of this tour is 9 hours from pick-up to drop-off, which includes built-in stops for photo opportunities, facilities, and a 1-hour lunch break.

● Lunch: An appropriate restaurant, traditional pub, or sandwich stop can be arranged for lunch (note: tour price does not include food or refreshments). Alternatively, you may want to bring a pre-packed lunch. The guide usually takes a rest during this period.

● Price: As shown in the table above. It does NOT include entrance fees (we recommend they are paid on the day) lunch or refreshments. Payment methods, privacy, cancellation and refund policies and full terms & conditions are listed on our Prices & Bookings page.

● Clothing: Clients should dress appropriately making allowances for the changeable British weather, outdoor activities or visiting churches, etc. Our main tip is to dress comfortably. For more tips to help make your tour even more enjoyable click here.

● Format: The tour has been specially researched and designed by our staff (copyright applies) and is exclusive to Your London Tours & associates. Selected elements of different tours can be combined to create even more options. See our Pick & Mix page.

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