Wine Tasting in the Garden of England

DEPARTURE INFORMATION 

Please ensure you arrive at your allocated departure point at least 10 minutes before your departure time.

 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

TOUR TIMINGS 

Please note that all timings above are estimated and assuming normal traffic conditions. Due to the changeable nature of road conditions, we cannot guarantee a precise time when you will arrive back in London.

On the return to London your driver will drop you at Victoria Train Station in the city centre. This is one of the largest transport stations in London, with excellent connections to all parts of London and beyond.

Helpful Information about the day of your Wine Tasting in the Garden of England tour

• Are the meeting points easy to find? 

  • YES! All are within short walking distances of tube and bus stops, and very easy access for taxis. We recommend you arrive at the meeting point 10 minutes before the departure time. Your International Friends day trip has been carefully planned to ensure maximum enjoyment, which sadly means we cannot delay our departure times to wait for latecomers. This would impact the day's itinerary and could mean we miss booked entry times at attractions. If you are running late please phone the emergency number and our team will help you. If you miss the departure for your tour, you are welcome to join the tour at the first scheduled stop. Any expenses incurred in doing so will be at your own expense. Refunds cannot be issued for passengers who miss their tours departure through their own late arrival.

• How will I identify the International Friends vehicle at the meeting point? 

  • Depending on the number of people travelling on a particular day we use 8 or 16 seater executive vehicles. On arrival at the pick up location the guide/driver will announce themselves, will be holding a sign reading “International Friends” and will be aware of your names ready to welcome you on board.

• How much time at each sightseeing stop? 

  • Dover castle and the Battle of Britain Memorial - You will be visiting Dover for approximately 30 minutes for a short photo stop to see Dover castle and the Battle of Britain Memorial.
  • Gusbourne Vineyard - In total you will spend around 3 hours 45 minutes at Gusbourne Vineyard. During this time you will have a tour of the vineyard as well as three course lunch and wine tasting.

• Are entries into the attractions included in my ticket price? 

  • Entry into Gusbourne Vineyard as well as your three course lunch and wine tasting are included.

• How can I find out more information about the attractions we will see on this tour? 

  • Battle of Britain Memorial - https://www.battleofbritainmemorial.org/
  • Dover Castle - https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/dover-castle/
  • Gusbourne Vineyard - https://www.gusbourne.com/

• Is food and drink included in my tour? 

  • Your lunch and wine tasting are included in this tour. Lunch will be a delicious 3 course meal served at Gusbourne Vineyard. This will be a set 3 course menu using seasonal, locally sourced produce. In your booking form please inform us if you have any specific dietary requirements.

• Can I bring food and drink onboard the vehicle? 

  • There is to be NO Hot Food or Beverages (exception if hot beverage is in a sealed reusable thermal cup) on board the coaches due to the risk of scalds or burns and smells remaining on board the vehicle. Only Cold food & beverages with screw top lids are to be taken on board any vehicle. All litter must be taken from the vehicle and disposed of appropriately.

• How much walking is involved in this tour? 

  • Dover - The Battle of Britain Memorial - it is approximately 20 meters from the car park to the main building. However, there are a number of slopes and the site is on a clifftop and parents are warned to keep a close eye on their children.
  • Gusbourne Vineyard - Usually involves around 45 minutes walking over grass or trackways with some mild inclines. 

• 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. 

• How many people will be joining this tour? 

  • This is one of our Small & Friendly tours. You will benefit from being in a small group of maximum 16 people with our expert guide.

• Do we need to tip staff? 

  • 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.

• What time do we arrive back in London? 

  • We aim to arrive back in London at approximately 5:30pm. Please note that all timings above are estimated and assuming normal traffic conditions. Due to the changeable nature of road conditions, we cannot guarantee a precise time when you will arrive back in London. On the return to London your driver will drop you at Victoria Train Station in the city centre. This is one of the largest transport stations in London, with excellent connections to all parts of London and beyond.