PRIVATE CRUISE-STOP-OVER TOURS FROM DOVER

DOVER CRUISE STOP-OVER TOURS
Choice of exclusive day tours from Dover cruise terminal

● Day-tour options from Dover in private vehicle with accredited driver-guide.
● Tailor-made for couples, families or small private groups (up to 7 persons).
● Pick-up/drop-off at any Dover hotel or cruise terminal. Typical timings: 09:00-17:00.
● Subject to seasonal openings & availability. Any admission fees payable on entry.
● Prices (per car) £400.00-£480.00 (6 hrs); £500.00-£580.00 (8 hrs). See table below.

6-hour tours from Dover:

Canterbury Cathedral
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. Pilgrims have been making the journey to Canterbury ever since, most famously of course, Geoffrey Chaucer and his medieval chums as they acted out the Canterbury Tales. Our own pilgrimage takes in the famous cathedral, visits the site of Beckett's murder and his shrine.
● Usually open daily. You will be escorted personally on your tour by an officially qualified Blue Badge driver-guide.

Dover Castle
Dover is England’s right foot and has been the country’s front line since time immemorial. Julius Caesar was thwarted here and it became the main fortification in the Saxon shore defences. The Normans built the original castle with a warren of tunnels underneath. 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. Nearby are the White Cliffs made legendary in song.
● Open Mar-Oct: daily; Nov to Feb: Thu-Mon. You will be escorted personally on your tour by an officially qualified Blue Badge driver-guide.

Knole House & Gardens
Knole is a superbly well preserved 17th-century stately home surrounded by a 1,000-acre deer park. It came into the possession of the Sackville family whose descendant, Vita Sackville-West (see Sissinghurst below) was born here. It contains the largest private walled garden in Britain at 30 acres. It was used, bizarrely, as a shooting location for the Beatles' Liverpool reminisces Penny Lane and Strawberry Fields Forever!
● Open Mar-Oct: Wed-Sun. You will be escorted personally on your tour by an officially qualified Blue Badge driver-guide.

Leeds Castle
Leeds Castle is an idyllic Arthurian Camelot dating back to the 11th century. A number of queens have used it as a private retreat. Henry VIII commissioned many building works for his first wife Katherine of Aragon and then used it to 'entertain' his new love Anne Boleyn. In the early 20th century it was bought by an heiress who hosted a number of celebrity parties here in the 1930s. The grounds alone are breathtaking.
● Usually open daily. You will be escorted personally on your tour by an officially qualified Blue Badge driver-guide.

Sissinghurst Gardens
Sissinghurst is a six-acre site described as the epitome of the English country garden. Brought in the 1930s by the controversial aristocratic writer Vita Sackville-West and her politician husband Harold Nicholson, it was turned into a designer playground, with ten garden rooms and an architectural layout. Also contains the largest herb garden in England. Timed entry tickets demonstrate its popularity with passionate gardeners.
● Open Mar-Oct: Fri-Tue. You will be escorted personally on your tour by an officially qualified Blue Badge driver-guide.

8-hour tours from Dover:

Battle of Britain
This tour winds its way through Kent, the 'Garden of England', harking back to the long, hot summer of 1940 when Britain stood alone against Nazi Germany. There's a stop at the Battle of Britain memorial at Folkestone, an optional ride on a miniature train that actually formed one of the first lines of defence, and a jaunt to the famed White Cliffs of Dover. Lunch at the pub that featured in the Battle of Britain film is an option. Then there’s a tour of Kent's Battle of Britain museum, where we can explore the brave world of the Spitfire and Hurricane pilots. As Winston Churchill put it: 'Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few.' We then drive back through the some of the country’s most picturesque countryside. Thanks to the ‘Few’ it remains forever England.
● Railway open: Apr-Sep. Battle of Britain Museum open daily. You will be escorted personally on tour by an officially qualified Blue Badge driver-guide.

Canterbury & Dover
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. What follows is a rip-roaring and frankly rude collection of tales, as apparently recorded by one of their number, Geoffrey Chaucer. Of course, we will visit Canterbury Cathedral, an awe-inspiring medieval masterpiece, and see the site of Beckett's murder and his shrine. Dover is England’s right foot and has been the country’s front line since time immemorial. Julius Caesar was thwarted here and it became the main fortification in the Saxon shore defences. The Normans built the original castle with a warren of tunnels underneath. 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. It was then used as a defence against him, and in later centuries, Napoleon and Hitler. Simply packed with history. Nearby are the famed White Cliffs made legendary in song.
● Dover open daily Mar-Oct; Thu-Mon Nov-Feb: Canterbury usually daily. You will be escorted personally on tour by an officially qualified Blue Badge driver-guide.

Chartwell & Hever Castle
Chartwell was the private home of Winston Churchill. As he battled to save civilization from the clutches of evil during the 1930s and 40s, how did he relax? Here’s how: the gardening, the plants, the trees, the buildings, the waters and the complete landscape here are the vision of the great man. The house itself is fascinating, and a short tour of the interiors will uncover his prolific work-rate. Hever Castle was the childhood home of Anne Boleyn, who became the most legendary apple of Henry VIII’s roving eye. Later the home of Henry’s estranged fourth wife Anne of Cleves who died here. In the 20th century it was owned by the famous American millionaire William Waldorf Astor. It contains many Tudor artworks and artifacts, and is set in magnificent grounds with fine gardens and a maze.
● Chartwell open Mar-Oct: Wed-Sun; Jul-Aug: Tue-Sun. Hever Castle open daily Apr-Oct. You will be escorted personally on tour by an officially qualified Blue Badge driver-guide.

Leeds Castle & Sissinghurst
Leeds Castle is an idyllic Arthurian Camelot dating back to the 11th century. A number of queens have used it as a private retreat. Henry VIII commissioned many building works for his first wife Katherine of Aragon and then used it to 'entertain' his new love Anne Boleyn. In the early 20th century it was bought by an heiress who hosted a number of celebrity parties here in the 1930s. The grounds alone are breathtaking. Sissinghurst is a six-acre site described as the epitome of the English country garden. Brought in the 1930s by the controversial aristocratic writer Vita Sackville-West and her politician husband Harold Nicholson, it was turned into a designer playground, with ten garden rooms and an architectural layout. Also contains the largest herb garden in England. Timed entry tickets demonstrate its popularity with passionate gardeners.
● Sissinghurst open Mar-Oct: Fri-Tue. Leeds Castle usually open daily. Entrance fee payable. You will be escorted personally on tour by an officially qualified Blue Badge driver-guide.

1066 And All That
The Norman Conquest was such a traumatic experience for the country that is has been indelibly marked on the minds of all English school-children ever since, and not for nothing do we nickname our subsequent centuries of history ‘1066 And All That’. A little inland we find the village simply named ‘Battle’ after the great battle fought between Harold, the last Anglo-Saxon king and his Franco-Viking foe William the Conqueror. Here we also find the remains of the abbey William built in penance after his victory, and an exhibition centre telling the story of the great ‘Battle of Hastings’. Next, to Dover, England’s right foot and the country’s front line since time immemorial. Julius Caesar was thwarted here and it became the main fortification in the Saxon shore defences. The Normans built the original castle with a warren of tunnels underneath. Henry II, first Plantagenet king and great-grandson of William the Conqueror, 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. Nearby are the famed White Cliffs made legendary in song.
● Open Mar-Oct: daily. Nov to Feb: Thu-Mon. You will be escorted personally on tour by an officially qualified Blue Badge driver-guide.

ALL ENQUIRIES CLICK HERE. FOR BOOKINGS CLICK HERE.

PRICE OPTIONS:

CRUISE STOP-OVER TOURS FROM DOVER 6-HOUR TOURS	PRICE (6 hours).
BY PRIVATE CAR (1-2 passengers)	£400.00 (per car) + any entrance fees.
BY PRIVATE CAR (3-4 passengers)	£440.00 (per car) + any entrance fees.
BY PRIVATE CAR (5-7 passengers)	£480.00 (per car) + any entrance fees.
CRUISE STOP-OVER TOURS FROM DOVER 8-HOUR TOURS	PRICE (8 hours).
BY PRIVATE CAR (1-2 passengers)	£500.00 (per car) + any entrance fees.
BY PRIVATE CAR (3-4 passengers)	£540.00 (per car) + any entrance fees.
BY PRIVATE CAR (5-7 passengers)	£580.00 (per car) + any entrance fees.

HOW THE TOUR WORKS:

● Important note: 'Private tour' means a privately chartered guided tour. It does not entail exclusive private access. We do not offer tours to individuals wishing to join a larger group (for this you require a scheduled coach tour operator).

● The guide: Your tour will be conducted by a friendly qualified guide (or driver-guide for car tours) providing a knowledgeable commentary, and assisting with practical issues. Where venues offer in-house guides or audio devices, your guide will still escort you.

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

● Timings: The guide will meet you at the recommended start time or at a start time of your request. The duration of this tour is timed from pick-up to drop-off and 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.

● 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.

● 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.

HOW TO BOOK YOUR TOUR IN 3 EASY STEPS:

STEP 1: Send e-mail to tours@yourlondontours.com with the following information:
● Name or brief description of tour required.
● Date service required.
● Number of adults/children, age of children.
● Full name of cruise terminal to be picked up from or met.
● Special interests or information to help us make your tour more enjoyable.
● Lead contact name and full billing address.
● Home phone number or cell phone number.

STEP 2: On receiving this information we will e-mail a reply confirming availability, price and payment procedure. If the tour is unavailable, eg, attractions are closed or we are fully booked, we will inform you or provide details of another operator.

STEP 3: If you are happy with your tour booking please make payment as directed.
Payments can take up to 48 hrs to process. On receiving payment, we will e-mail a tour confirmation and receipt. Please check details carefully and e-mail us with any queries.

BOOKING POLICY AND NOTES:
• Bookings are dealt with on a one-to-one basis via e-mail only.
• We do not accept bookings with less than 72 hours notice.
• To secure your preferred date we recommend booking well in advance.
• All tours subject to availability. Booking will not go ahead until availability is confirmed.
• Tour is not guaranteed to go ahead until 100% of payment is received.
• Administration fees may be added for extensive itineraries or supplementary guide hire.
• We do not arrange flights, accommodation, travel tickets or tickets for events.
• We do not usually pre-book tickets for attractions. We recommended these are paid
for at the gate on the day. In circumstances where pre-booking is the only option for
attractions, tickets must be paid for in advance and are non-refundable.

FOR ENQUIRIES CLICK HERE. FOR BOOKINGS CLICK HERE.

Vehicle spec:
Silver Mercedes-Benz Viano V6, seven-passenger luxury people carrier, high-spec interior trim with leather seats, armrests, headrests, air-conditioning, climate control, sound system, front and rear electric sunroof, sliding passenger doors, luggage space.

Driver-guide info:
Our driver-guides are smartly presented, knowledgeable and friendly. They are professionally qualified and drive fully insured private hire vehicles. They carry the 'Blue Badge' accreditation allowing them to conduct tours, walks and interior visits of the major London venues and many other attractions in the UK.