Leeds Castle and Charles Dickens' Rochester - 1 day

Celebrate the coming of Christmas with a trip back in time to the world of Charles Dickens. Visit spectacular Leeds Castle and spend the afternoon in historic Rochester at the Dickensian Christmas Fair.

We begin our day by heading east in the county of Kent, known as the 'Garden of England', decorated and dressed with orchards, vineyards, hop fields and Oast Houses. A unique and delightful part of the country with a distinct charm and beauty that isn't found anywhere else. It's here under the shadow of the Weald of Kent we make our first stop at Leeds Castle, championed by Lord Conway as the 'loveliest castle in the world', a first glimpse of this fortified palace will take your breath away. Set on two natural islands in the middle of a lake, we will walk through the gardens and be taken inside to learn of its 1,000 year history. Although dating back to the 9th century, it was from the time of Queen Eleanor of Castille in the late 13th century that Leeds began its long association with English Queens, from the consort of Edward I to the wives of Henry VIII, we learn of their lives and their ultimate fates as rulers of this country. After walking through its stunning interior we will have time to explore the 500 acres of landscaped grounds and get a chance to visit the aviary and the puzzling maze and grotto before we move on to Rochester.

Climbing over the Weald, forming a backbone of hills to the county, we head down its northern side to the River Medway and the historic city of Rochester. Here we can find one of the best preserved Norman castles in the country with its impressive stone keep, 113 feet high with walls 12 feet thick. The fortress towers over the town and stands next to the Medway, first crossed here by the Romans 2,000 years ago. Nearby is the cathedral, founded back in 604AD by Bishop Gundalf, in its timeline second only after Canterbury.

Rochester is best known as the home of the writer Charles Dickens, and during our guided walking tour we will learn more about his time here. His works, such as the Pickwick Papers and The Mystery of Edwin Drood where set in Rochester and Restoration House in the middle of town featured as Satis House, the home of the cynical Miss Havisham, in Great Expectations. It's in the month of December that the city comes alive with the rogues and heroes of Dickens' books when Rochester holds its Dickensian Christmas fair. The perfect backdrop of Georgian and Victorian houses provides an ideal setting for market stalls, street entertainers and musicians with a guarentee of snowfall, in one way or another. Fairground rides are held in the castle grounds and actors are on hand to give impromptue renditions from the author's works. At the end of a fun filled and exiting day we meet up again for our short journey back to London.

Tour includes

Departure Information

 
If you intend to travel to our central London meeting points by public transport, you can plan your journey in advance on the Transport for London website  - click here