Dover, Canterbury and Leeds Castle to Heathrow & London
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Combine your Dover cruise transfer with a days sightseeing! Step aboard our luxury coach with our friendly driver and expert tour guide for a group tour of the Garden of England - Kent, visiting historic Canterbury and beautiful Leeds Castle and a tour of the orchards, hop fields and vineyards of the county of Kent. This service is available on all dates when Princess, Carnival or Holland America cruise ships are visiting Dover.
- Shared Door to Door cruise transfer from Dover to London & Heathrow
- Full day sightseeing transfer in a luxury touring coach with a maximum of 35 passengers
- Entry to Leeds Castle included
- If your ship is late, we will wait
We depart Dover and drive up and above the famous white cliffs, continuing through this chalk landscape, our guide will illustrate the history of this land from Celtic settlers and Roman invaders to the Saxon migration and the Norman conquest.
Our first stop is the magnificent city of Canterbury with its world famous Cathedral. Formerly known the Roman town of Durovernum Canticorum there is an excellent museum in the city dedicated to the Roman occupation of the 1st to 4th centuries. It was here on Whit Sunday in 597AD that the Pope Gregory's representative and envoy, St Augustine baptised King Ethelbert, thus creating the historic heart of England's Christian heritage.
Our visit to Canterbury begins with a guided tour of the city, visiting the ancient walls and to the remains of the castle, finishing at the cathedral gatehouse. You will then have some free time in which you could visit Canterbury Cathedral (entry is not included). Inside Canterbury Cathedral, which was largely rebuilt by the Normans in the 11th century, you can see the tomb of King Henry IV and resting place of the hero of Poitiers, The Black Prince. We also learn of the death in 1170 of Thomas Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury. This 'murder in the cathedral' is known around the globe and the true nature of the involvement of Henry II is still open to debate today. Join our guide as we present the discussions both for and against in this dark and brutal event.
If you choose not to enter Canterbury Cathedral, you could spend your free time exploring the historic side streets in this city and the many unusual shops and cafes it has to offer.
After your free time ends, we meet up again to continue touring this unique and charming part of the country. Known as the Garden of England, simply because it provided London and other regions with fresh fruit and vegetables, not forgetting hops to flavour traditional English ale. We pass Oast Houses and Hop fields, orchards and vineyards as we make our way to Leeds Castle, described by Lord Conway as 'the loveliest castle in the world'. Entry is included to Leeds Castle and Gardens.
Beautifully set on two islands in the middle of a lake and dating back to 880AD, Leeds Castle has been the home to many English Queens from the end of the 12th century to Tudor times. Beautiful landscaped gardens are a main feature of the grounds as is the stunning lake. Explore the lavish interior and admire the historic rooms then get lost in the famous maze.
Our departure mid afternoon will take us straight into London to drop at your chosen hotel before our final drops at Heathrow airport in the early evening. We drive into London through Royal Greenwich and then continue towards Tower Bridge with a view of the Tower of London, before starting our central London hotel drop offs.
Departure from Cruise Terminal
As you exit the cruise terminal you will meet your guide and there will be a typical walk of about 100 yards to the vehicle. Your driver will be holding a sign reading "International Friends", and will accompany you the vehicle.
Princess, Carnival and Holland America cruises are scheduled to arrive between 05:00am and 06:00am in the morning with disembarkation starting around 07:00am. Your guide will meet you at the terminal building exit from 08:00am. We plan to leave Dover by 08:30am.
In the unlikely event your ship is delayed into port, we will delay our departure time accordingly (applicable only to the listed ships we service). For all delayed ship arrivals we will aim to leave at the latest one hour after docking (earlier if possible).
In the unlikely event your ship is delayed into port we will delay our departure time accordingly. For all delayed ship arrivals we will aim to leave at the latest one hour after docking (earlier if possible).
Arrival at London & Heathrow
We offer a drop off at any hotel or Airbnb in London city centre, Heathrow Terminals and selected Heathrow hotels. We also drop at all London city centre train stations. Below is a list of major hotels in London and Heathrow that we offer a drop off at.
If your hotel is not on the list or you are staying at an apartment or Airbnb, during the booking process you will need to add the address in the additional information box. We will then contact you after your booking to confirm that we can offer a drop off here.
Please note on arrival in London we may use other vehicles to ensure we complete the drop offs as quickly and efficiently as possible. If this does happen our drivers or guides will manage this.
Drop off hotels in London click here Drop off points at Heathrow click here
Helpful Information
Dover, Canterbury and Leeds Castle to Heathrow & London
How far in advance should I book?
Our tour dates go on sale 12-18 months in advance. We always advise booking early to avoid disappointment as availability cannot always be guaranteed if booking is left until closer to the date of travel.
How much luggage can I bring?
Each person is allowed a maximum of 2 items of hold luggage (23kg each) and 1 item of carry on luggage (10kg each). If you have to bring more than the allocated amount, please inform us prior to travel.
Limits on luggage are worked out based on the space available in the coaches hold. If you bring extra luggage there is a possibility it will not fit in the coach. In this instance you will be responsible for arranging separate transportation for your luggage to your hotel or airport, which could result in you missing the start of your tour.
Should you wish to bring any mobility aids (wheelchairs or walkers) you MUST contact us in advance to let us know. We will require full dimensions and weight. These items must be able to be folded and stored in the luggage hold. Wheelchairs must be counted as 1 item of your hold luggage.
Additional charges will be incurred should you bring additional items of luggage or for items weighing more than the maximum weight stated above.
What happens if my ship is late getting into port?
In the unlikely event your ship is delayed into port, we will delay our departure time accordingly (applicable only to the listed ships we service). However, due to the timed entries at some of the attractions on these tours, in these circumstances we can not guarantee the itinerary will be completed as detailed. If attraction entries can not be changed to accommodate the late departure, some locations may have to be dropped. We do guarantee that transportation will be provided for you, whether this is for a shortened version of the day trip, or as a direct transfer to your hotel; we will ensure you are collected from the port. For all delayed ship arrivals we will aim to leave at the latest one hour after docking (earlier if possible).
Will you wait for me if I am late disembarking from the ship?
If your cruise ship docks on schedule and disembarkation begins as normal, we cannot be held responsible, in the unlikely event you are unable to disembark in time to meet your transfer. This is a shared transfer and we cannot delay departure from the port for customers who are late in disembarking. It is your responsibility to check the departure time for your transfer, and ensure you are at the meeting point at the appropriate time. For some cruise lines this may require self disembarkation. To ensure you can disembark in time to meet your guide/driver we would recommend self-disembarkation. Refunds cannot be issued for passengers who miss their tour due to being late.
How will I identify the International Friends staff?
When you disembark the ship and leave the departure terminal, you will see a guide holding a sign reading ‘International Friends’. The guide will have all your information ready to welcome you on board. From here the guide will either walk you directly to the coach or show you exactly where to go with your luggage and get settled ready for the day.
You do not service the ship I am travelling on. What do I do on the morning of the tour?
Our transfers from the port are available to passengers on other ships not listed, when dates and arrival times coincide with the ships we do service. You will need to make your own way to the ship we are servicing on that date. Please note on your booking the ship you are arriving on, and we can then advise which ship you will need to make your way to. Please note you will need to arrive at our meeting point by 08.00am to meet your guide/driver. Our tours and transfers depart at 08.30am.
Are entries into the attractions included in my ticket price?
Entry to Leeds Castle is included in this tour and you do not need to contact the attraction and book entry. You will not need separate entry tickets to the attraction, the guide will manage your entry on the day. Entry to Canterbury Cathedral is not included. If you wish to enter Canterbury Cathedral, this would need to be purchased with the attraction on the day.
How much walking is involved in this tour?
As you exit the cruise terminal you will meet your guide and there will be a short walk of about 100 yards to the vehicle. On arrival in Canterbury, your guide will take you on a walking tour of the city. This lasts approximately 1 hour. Canterbury has a mixture of stone and cobbled streets which may be difficult for those with mobility difficulties. Therefore, extra care may be needed when on the walking tour. From the Leeds Castle coach park, there is approximately a 200 metre walk to the ticket entrance. Leeds Castle operates a free shuttle bus from the ticket desk to the Castle for those who require additional assistance.
We aim to drop off directly outside your chosen accommodation however sometimes due to traffic conditions or parking restrictions we may drop off nearby. The vehicle will park as close as is safely and legally possible.
How many people are on this tour?
This tour is a shared transfer and there will be a maximum of 36 people on your tour, plus the expert guide and the driver. We will provide a luxury, air-conditioned touring coach, with plenty of space for everyone and their luggage.
Is food and drink provided on this tour?
Food and drink is not provided on this tour. You are welcome to bring a packed lunch with you. Cold food and drink can be eaten on the coach. Hot food is not permitted and all hot drinks must have a lid. All rubbish is to be taken with you.
What should I wear?
British weather can be variable and so guests are advised to check the weather forecast and dress appropriately. It is recommended to bring some warm clothes with you especially in the winter months and layers are good for adapting to the ever-changing weather conditions. It is a good idea to wear appropriate footwear as there is walking involved on our tours. England is known for its rain so it is advisable to bring a waterproof jacket or umbrella with you.Are audio guides provided on this tour?
An expert guide will be with you to talk about all the attractions. The guide is not able to enter Canterbury Cathedral or Leeds Castle. During your free time the guide will remain close if needed, but this will be your opportunity to explore on your own. Audio guides are not provided by the attractions so we would recommend downloading these before your travel date.
For more information about the attractions on your tour, please visit the below links –
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Canterbury - https://www.canterbury.co.uk/
- Leeds Castle - https://leeds-castle.com/
How long will my journey take?
We will collect you from the ship’s terminal and depart Dover from 8.30am. We will spend 2 - 2.5 hours in Canterbury with a 1 hour optional, walking tour. We will then spend 3 hours at Leeds Castle. We arrive in London at around 5.30pm where the first drop offs begin. We arrive at Heathrow Airport at around 6pm where the remaining drop offs will take place.
What time do drop offs in Central London and Heathrow Airport begin?
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Central London |
Heathrow Airport |
|
Princess Cruise Lines |
5:30pm – 6:30pm |
6:00pm - 7:00pm |
|
Carnival Cruise Lines |
5:30pm – 6:00pm |
6:00pm – 6:30pm |
Will I make it to Heathrow Airport in time to catch my flight?
In the UK we advise arriving at the airport at least 3 hours prior to your flight departure time. As a general guide, we would not recommend our shared service for anyone departing Heathrow before 10:00pm (Disney) and 09:30pm (All other ships). Drop offs at Heathrow Airport begin around 6pm.
If your flight departure timings are too near to the shared transfer arrival time we would strongly recommend you book a private transfer. With private transfers you can depart the port at a time of your choice. It is your responsibility to check in advance that our tour itinerary is suitable for your onward travel, particularly if same day flights are involved. Please email [email protected] if you wish to check that our transfer is suitable for your onward travel plans.
My flight departs from Gatwick – can you drop me off there?
Unfortunately Gatwick is not in London and not in our drop off zone. We advise passengers use Victoria Station in central London as their drop off point as there are regular, cost effective transport options available from here directly to Gatwick. You can check out these options at:
- Express trains: www.gatwickexpress.com
- All trains: www.nationalrail.co.uk
- Coach transfers: www.nationalexpress.com
Where will the coach take me at the end of my trip?
Our coaches will drop off to any hotel at Heathrow Airport and any Zone 1/Central London hotel or train station. We aim to drop as close to the door as possible, but due to traffic and parking restrictions this may not always be possible.
My chosen hotel is not on your list of drop off points, can I still use this service?
We drop off at any London city centre hotel and Heathrow airport hotel and terminals. Occasionally we are unable to drop off at certain hotels because they are not in London city centre, Heathrow airport or not easily accessible by coach. Please email us at [email protected] and we will advise if we can drop off at your hotel, or direct you to the closest drop off point.
If the hotel you have chosen to stay is not on the list, we can still drop you there as long as it is within Zone 1/Central London or at Heathrow. If your hotel falls out of the chosen area, we can take you to a train station to allow direct access to the hotel or we can take you directly there for an extra charge which will be indicated before travel.
Should we tip our driver or guide?
Tips are entirely at the customer’s discretion and in no way expected. Should you feel inclined to tip, your driver or guide would be grateful, but you should not feel obliged. A 10% tip is considered customary in the UK.
Important note
There is no minimum group size per booking for this tour. We do however, require a minimum of 8 passengers in total for this tour to operate. If we do not receive a minimum of 8 total passengers, we reserve the right to cancel this tour. If this is the case, alternative transport to London or Heathrow Airport will be offered, or a full refund given.