A Tour of Kent’s Most Exclusive Castles & Houses

Check in to our hotel in the afternoon. Later, we enjoy a welcome drink reception hosted by our tour manager.

We begin with a visit to Allington Castle, a magical 12^th-century fortress rarely open to the public. With its winding moat, precious tapestries and regal furniture, it feels as if we’re stepping into an ancient world here; just imagine Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn dining with politician and poet Sir Thomas Wyatt in 1530 in the atmospheric Great Hall! Today, all that remains of the original castle is a section of wall and the kitchen fireplace, which dates back to 1174. The powerful Wyatt family acquired the property in 1491 and transformed it into an impressive mansion house.

Next stop is Provender, home of Princess Olga Romanoff, daughter of Prince Andrew Romanoff, the eldest nephew of the Tsar Nicholas II of Russia. Dating back to the 13^th century, Provender is a fascinating record of English building traditions over seven centuries. A recent programme of careful restoration has revealed a wealth of historical and architectural detail which we discover on our exclusive private tour, led by the owner* before enjoying some tea and cake on site.

*Owner-led tour subject to availability

We make our way to Lullingstone Castle for a guided tour. Recorded in the Domesday Book, it is one of the oldest family estates in England. The present manor house was built in 1497 and has been home to the same family ever since. Altered extensively in Queen Anne’s time, the house boasts fine state rooms and beautiful grounds, including a stunning 15-acre lake and the World Garden, home to thousands of rare plants collected from around the world by Tom Hart Dyke, the current heir, planted in their respective continents of origin. Incredibly, the ideas and plans for this garden were started during Tom’s nine-month kidnap ordeal in the early 2000s, a result of rare plant hunting in the Colombian jungle. There are plenty of unique species, including the world’s most dangerous plant, the hottest chilli and the rarest gum tree.

This afternoon we head to the stunning Belmont House. This magnificent Neo-classical country house is a completely unspoilt example of architect Samuel Wyatt’s work. Six generations of the Harris family have each left their mark on this treasure, which contains mementos of the family’s history and travels and the finest private collection of clocks and watches in Britain, created by the 5^th Lord Harris. There is also time to enjoy the lovely grounds, which encompass everything from beautiful gardens and magical woodlands to fruit-laden orchards and a cricket pitch.

After dinner this evening, we enjoy an interesting themed talk from a guest speaker.

Today we visit Godinton House, a delightful Jacobean property incorporating a medieval hall and ornate carvings. Godinton is a much-loved home where each room reflects the tastes of those who have lived here with an excellent collection of furniture, art, and curios. We also have time to explore the 12 acres of tranquil gardens with its kaleidoscope of colour and heady mix of floral aromas.

For our last visit we head to the stunning 14^th-Century manor house of Penhurst Place. Once the hunting lodge of King Henry VIII, Penhurst was eventually passed to Sir William Sidney in 1552 and has been home to each generation of the Sidney family ever since.

After breakfast, check out of the hotel for the journey home.