How much does it cost?

From £1,389 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $1,876 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.

Is train travel included?

Yes, a heritage journey on the Kent & East Sussex Railway through the Rother Valley on day 4, plus rail travel from your home station to Tunbridge Wells.

Is this an escorted tour?

Yes, a Railtrail Tour Manager accompanies the group.

The Spa Hotel in Tunbridge Wells, all five nights.

Which castles are visited?

Leeds Castle, Scotney Castle, Bodiam Castle, and Hever Castle.

Two departures in 2026: June and September, priced from £1,389 per person.

What is not included?

The single traveller supplement (£300); National Trust members receive a £20 discount.

Railtrail Tours · Escorted tour

Historic Kent Castles, Tracks & Vines 2026

Escorted signature tour of Kent's castles with a heritage railway and vineyard

Railtrail Tours' Historic Kent Castles, Tracks & Vines is a 6-day, 5-night escorted tour based at the Spa Hotel in Tunbridge Wells for all five nights. The days are built around private guided castle tours: day 2 visits Leeds Castle, with a stop at its Bird of Prey Centre and a 2-course lunch at the Castle View Restaurant; day 3 visits the moated Scotney Castle followed by a guided tasting at the Wildwood Vineyard; day 4 rides the heritage Kent & East Sussex Railway through the Rother Valley to tour the medieval Bodiam Castle; and day 5 brings a private guided tour of Hever Castle & Gardens, once the childhood home of Anne Boleyn. A Tour Manager accompanies the group throughout, with bed, breakfast, dinner, one lunch, and all admissions included. Marketed by Railtrail as a Signature and Luxury tour, this trip suits history lovers who want private guided access to several English castles from one hotel base, with a single heritage train ride among mostly coach transport.

What to know before you look closer

Most of the tour's travel is by coach; the Kent & East Sussex Railway on day 4 is the only heritage train journey.
The single traveller supplement is £300, a significant addition on this tour.
Rail travel from your home station is included but priced by fare region, so the total cost can vary depending on where you join the tour.

Day by day

Day 1overnight: Tunbridge Wells
Arrive Tunbridge Wells
Journey from your home station to Tunbridge Wells and check in to the Spa Hotel, our hotel for the next five nights. Free time to explore before the first evening meal together.
Day 2overnight: Tunbridge Wells
Leeds Castle
Private guided tour of Leeds Castle, then the Bird of Prey Centre in the castle grounds to meet the owls. A 2-course lunch at the Castle View Restaurant, then free time before returning to the hotel for the evening meal.
Day 3overnight: Tunbridge Wells
Scotney Castle and Wildwood Vineyard
Visit the moated Scotney Castle set within rolling parkland, then the Wildwood Vineyard for a guided tour and tasting of premium wines, before returning to the hotel for the evening meal.
Day 4railovernight: Tunbridge Wells
Kent & East Sussex Railway and Bodiam Castle
Coach to Tenterden station, home to the Kent & East Sussex Railway, then a heritage train journey through the Rother Valley to Bodiam. Walk to and tour the moated Bodiam Castle, then free time in Tenterden before returning to the hotel.
Day 5overnight: Tunbridge Wells
Hever Castle & Gardens
Private guided tour of Hever Castle & Gardens, once the childhood home of Anne Boleyn, with time to explore its award-winning gardens. Free afternoon before the final evening meal together.
Day 6
Return home
After breakfast, farewell to Tunbridge Wells and travel home from the station.

The moments this trip is built around

Day 2A private guided tour of Leeds Castle is followed by a visit to the Bird of Prey Centre and a 2-course lunch at the Castle View Restaurant.
Day 3The moated Scotney Castle, set within rolling parkland, is followed by a guided tour and tasting of premium wines at the Wildwood Vineyard.
Day 4A heritage train journey on the Kent & East Sussex Railway runs through the Rother Valley to Bodiam, where the group tours the medieval, moated Bodiam Castle.
Day 5A private guided tour of Hever Castle & Gardens, once the childhood home of Anne Boleyn, includes time to explore its award-winning gardens.

Included

5 nights bed, breakfast & evening meal plus 1 lunch
Rail travel & seat reservations from your Home Station to Tour Base (Standard or First Class)
Rail & coach travel, with transfers as described
All excursions & admissions as detailed
Services of experienced Railtrail Tour Manager

Questions travellers ask

How much does it cost?: From £1,389 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $1,876 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.
Is train travel included?: Yes, a heritage journey on the Kent & East Sussex Railway through the Rother Valley on day 4, plus rail travel from your home station to Tunbridge Wells.
Is this an escorted tour?: Yes, a Railtrail Tour Manager accompanies the group.
Where do you stay?: The Spa Hotel in Tunbridge Wells, all five nights.
Which castles are visited?: Leeds Castle, Scotney Castle, Bodiam Castle, and Hever Castle.
When does it depart?: Two departures in 2026: June and September, priced from £1,389 per person.
What is not included?: The single traveller supplement (£300); National Trust members receive a £20 discount.