The Railway Touring Company · Escorted tour

Railways and Castles of Kent

Railways and Castles of Kent, a rail journey with The Railway Touring Company

A 7-day escorted tour of the 'Garden of England', based throughout in Canterbury, combining heritage railways with visits to Bodiam Castle, Leeds Castle and Chatham Dockyard.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Canterbury

    London to Canterbury, Canterbury Castle and Cathedral

    You depart London St Pancras in the morning and travel by an HS1 train to Canterbury West where we join our coach. We then make visits to Canterbury Castle and Cathedral, before checking into the hotel and a welcome dinner will be served this evening.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Canterbury

    Kent & East Sussex Railway and Bodiam Castle

    Today we first travel by coach to Tenterden, where we board an old steam train on the Kent & East Sussex Railway, travelling in a reserved carriage towards Bodiam. At Bodiam we make the short walk to National Trust's Bodiam Castle, with a light lunch served at the Castle Inn. This picture-perfect moated medieval castle was built in 1385 by Sir Edward Dalyngrigge. After the castle visit, we return by steam to Tenterden, with free time to explore this Kentish town, before heading back by coach to Canterbury. In the evening a group dinner is served at the hotel restaurant.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Canterbury

    Historic Chatham Dockyard and Sittingbourne & Kemsley Light Railway

    In the morning you travel by coach to Chatham Dockyard, engaging with Britain's rich maritime history, with historic vessels, exhibits and museum galleries on site. In the early afternoon you carry on to the nearby Sittingbourne & Kemsley Light Railway, on the site of a former industrial railway serving an old paper mill along the banks of the River Swale, with its collection of ancient saddle tank engines on the 2 mile long line to Kemsley Down. You return to Canterbury in the late afternoon to enjoy dinner.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Canterbury

    Steam to the seaside at the Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway

    Today you visit one of the most iconic railways in England. Legendary for its distinct 15-inch gauge, the RH&DR has a 13.5 mile main line to the Dungeness Power Station, with trains racing up to 25 mph. You spend the entire morning and afternoon at the railway, taking advantage of a rover ticket to ride numerous engines and visit local attractions along the line. Upon return to Canterbury, tonight you are free to spend an evening at leisure.

  5. Day 5railovernight: Canterbury

    White Cliffs of Dover by Southeastern train, Folkestone seaside and the Kent Battle of Britain Museum

    After breakfast you take a Southeastern service train from Canterbury East to Dover Priory, changing for the continuation by rail along the White Cliffs of Dover to Folkestone Central. A coach takes you to the town's seaside promenade for some free time, before transferring to the Kent Battle of Britain Museum to learn about 'The Finest Hour' and see preserved aircraft from 1940. Later you return to Canterbury by service train, enjoying another chance of the seaside run by Southeastern train, with another evening at leisure.

  6. Day 6overnight: Canterbury

    Leeds Castle and Maidstone Gin Distillery

    This morning our coach takes you to Leeds Castle, with its picture-perfect moat and turreted buildings, considered one of the finest such examples in England. You explore the castle, gardens, maze, and Bird of Prey Centre. Following your visit you travel to Maidstone to visit the beautifully restored Maidstone Gin Distillery, with the opportunity to sample the hand-crafted spirits. You return to Canterbury by coach to enjoy a farewell dinner at your riverside restaurant.

  7. Day 7rail

    Bredgar & Wormshill Railway and travel home

    In the morning you visit the narrow gauge Bredgar & Wormshill Railway, near Sittingbourne, for one of its special event days with steam traction. This volunteer-operated railway features an impressive collection of tank engines and attractive signal boxes, plus a tea room. After the railway visit, the coach takes you to Maidstone East station, from where there are direct trains to either London Charing Cross or London Victoria and your journey home.

Included

  • Standard Class rail travel from London St Pancras to Canterbury, Maidstone East to London and from Canterbury via Dover Priory and the White Cliffs of Dover to Folkestone Central return
  • 6 Nights hotel accommodation with breakfasts
  • 1 Lunch
  • 4 Dinners
  • All visits, train and coach travel as detailed in the itinerary
  • The services of a Tour Manager

Similar journeys, different answers