PRIVATE KENT & SUSSEX TOURS | couples • families • small groups

KENT & THE SOUTH-EAST
Choose your own regional day tour from our variety of options...

● Day-tour options from London 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 London hotel or residence. Typical timings: 09:00-18:00.
● Subject to openings & availability. Any admission fees payable on entry.
● Price (per car): 1-2 persons=£400.00; 3-4=£440.00; 5-7=£480.00. Admissions extra.

Tour Choice A: select any 2 from the 10 options below to create your full-day tour:

Option 1: Bodiam Castle
Strangely, given their proximity to the coast, the castles of Sussex were not as robust as those in other parts of the country. Bodiam Castle was built on the Kent-Sussex border to defend the area from French invasion during the Hundred Years War, somehow the designers sacrificed strength for beauty. Set in the middle of a moated lake and surrounded by a dream-like Arthurian landscape, it was used as a film location for the legendary medieval romp Monty Python and the Holy Grail, as well as episodes of Robin of Sherwood and Doctor Who.
● Open Feb-Oct: daily; Nov-Feb: Sat & Sun. Your tour starts after an initial fast-track out from London and you will be escorted personally by an officially qualified Blue Badge driver-guide.

Option 2: 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. Your tour starts after an initial fast-track out from London and you will be escorted personally by an officially qualified Blue Badge driver-guide.

Option 3: Chartwell
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.
● Open Mar-Oct: Wed-Sun; Jul-Aug: Tue-Sun. Your tour starts after an initial fast-track out from London and you will be escorted personally by an officially qualified Blue Badge driver-guide.

Option 4: 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. Your tour starts after an initial fast-track out from London and you will be escorted personally by an officially qualified Blue Badge driver-guide.

Option 5: Hever Castle & Gardens
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.
● Open Apr-Oct: daily. Your tour starts after an initial fast-track out from London and you will be escorted personally by an officially qualified Blue Badge driver-guide.

Option 6: Ightham Mote & Gardens
Picturesque Ightham Mote is a medieval moated manor house built in 1320 and later owned by a courtier to Henry VIII. The place was bought by the American Charles Robinson in 1953 and given to the National Trust by his family in the 1980s. Relatives still live on the estate which features extensive gardens and woodlands.
● Open Mar-Oct: Thu-Mon; Jun-Aug: Wed-Mon; Nov-Dec: Thu-Sun. Your tour starts after an initial fast-track out from London and you will be escorted personally by an officially qualified Blue Badge driver-guide.

Option 7: 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. Your tour starts after an initial fast-track out from London and you will be escorted personally by an officially qualified Blue Badge driver-guide.

Option 8: 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. Your tour starts after an initial fast-track out from London and you will be escorted personally by an officially qualified Blue Badge driver-guide.

Option 9: Penshurst Place & Gardens
Penshurst Place is a classic English country house with well preserved medieval hall. Thomas Boleyn managed it for Henry VIII. The King had an affair with one of his daughters and married the other, visiting Penshurst several times. Not surprising, then, that it was one of the main shooting locations for the hit film The Other Boleyn Girl. With records dating back to 1346, the 11-acre garden is one of the oldest in private ownership.
● Open Apr-Oct: daily. Your tour starts after an initial fast-track out from London and you will be escorted personally by an officially qualified Blue Badge driver-guide.

Option 10: 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. Your tour starts after an initial fast-track out from London and you will be escorted personally by an officially qualified Blue Badge driver-guide.

Tour Choice B: Select any 1 from our 8 full-day tour options below:

Option 1: Hi-Definition Tour: A Day in Brighton
Our special Hi-Definition Tours are perfect for those wanting a more singular tour experience. The tour is focussed on just one town, which means less time spent in the vehicle, and more time to enjoy a fuller day. Discuss your options with your guide. For example, you might prefer more detailed tours of local attractions, or have some time alone for a spot of shopping, or relax with a leisurely lunch. Perhaps a combination of all three! It's your tour and your choice.

This particular tour brings us to Brighton, probably the most famous English seaside town and very popular with holiday-makers and day-trippers. Visit the Royal Pavilion, the magnificent pleasure house built by the Regent Prince George, future King George IV. The wayward prince installed his mistress and secret wife Mrs Fitzherbert in a house here in 1785. The house was converted into villa, then in 1815 into a palace by the architect Nash. Mixing Hindoo Gothic, Chinese, Rococo and Regency styles it is a monument to frivolity. Finished in 1823 it was hardly used and sold to the local council by Queen Victoria. Quite bizarre!

Brighton contains a vibrant shopping centre which includes the quaint ‘Lanes’ district full of odd little shops. Also here we find the famous Brighton Beach, an original Victorian penny arcade and the fun-filled amusement pier. Forget the diet for an afternoon, and indulge yourself with ice cream, candy floss, and of course, Brighton rock! Then we can go for a stroll along the old prom-prom and hear the brass band play, tiddly-om-pom-pom! There are lots of things beside that you might like to be beside, beside the seaside, beside the sea!
● Usually open daily. Your tour starts after an initial fast-track out from London and you will be escorted personally by an officially qualified Blue Badge driver-guide.

Option 2: The Garden of England
Kent is known as the Garden of England. So why not make it a day-out by choosing any two of the county’s renowned visitor gardens? Your London Tours recommends the website www.gardens-to-go.org.uk/kent_gardens.htm for more details on the 24 Kent gardens available. For example, the exceptional Emmetts is situated near the town of Sevenoaks in Kent. Emmetts is actually a local word for anthills. Commanding exceptional views of the Kent countryside, the informal gardens were laid out by designer William Robinson in the 19th century. It contains many exotic and rare plants and flowers. We would be delighted to take you and your family or group to any of the gardens listed, but please be aware of seasonal and daily opening times.
● Check opening times. Your tour starts after an initial fast-track out from London and you will be escorted personally by an officially qualified Blue Badge driver-guide.

Option 3: Battle of Britain Tour
Click here for this Kent tour option in our British History section.

Option 4: Canterbury Tales
Click here for this Kent tour option in our Arts & Culture section.

Option 5: Children’s Favourites #2
Click here for this Kent & Sussex tour option in our Family section.

Option 6: Steam Train, Countryside & Castle
Click here for this Kent & Sussex tour option in our Family section.

Option 7: 1066 And All That
Click here for this Sussex tour option in our British History section.

Option 8: Winston Churchill Life & Times
Click here for this Kent tour option in our British History section.

ALL ENQUIRIES CLICK HERE. FOR BOOKINGS CLICK HERE.

PRICE OPTIONS:

KENT & THE SOUTH-EAST CHOICE: PERSONALLY-GUIDED FULL DAY TOUR OPTIONS	PRICE (Full day 9 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.

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 London area, whether at your hotel, place of residence, or 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 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 address of hotel, place of residence or venue 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.