Private Canterbury Tours
‘Redy to wenden on my pilgrimage
To Caunterbury with ful devout corage’
The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer
At its heart, you can still find parts of the medieval Canterbury that Chaucer would have known in the 14th century, including the dramatic city walls, and one of the most beautiful cathedrals in the world.
Canterbury cathedral is the focus of any visit, with its soaring architecture, brightly coloured stained glass, mischievous sculpture of dragons playing musical instruments, and the remains of its ancient monastery. The spot where Thomas à Becket was murdered is marked with a poignant memorial, and there are the tombs of a king, queen and prince, as well as the archbishops who led the church in England. If you choose, you will also have time to explore the city.
Canterbury is in the corner of England closest to France – on the front line, in fact – so there are many castles to visit. It is also in an area known as the Garden of England – and indeed the soil and climate here produces some very fine gardens, as well as the fruit farms that this title really refers to.
PRICES
These private tours are by car, for up to 6 people, with your own driver-guide. Tour prices from £750.
Canterbury & Leeds Castle
Leeds Castle has been described as ‘the loveliest castle in the world’. Once it was a medieval fortress, home to several queens. Then, in the 1930s, Lady Baillie transformed it into a country house where she entertained the fashionable and the famous. It is surrounded by lovely gardens.
Canterbury & Dover Castle
One of the great castles of medieval England continued to serve as a fortress right through to the Second World War, when it became the planning centre for the Dunkirk evacuation during May and June 1940, and also a secret military hospital. This is one of the most atmospheric visits you can make to explore the story of World War II.
Canterbury & Chartwell
Chartwell was the country home of Sir Winston Churchill and his family. It has been been carefully restored to how it was when he lived there. His Artist Studio is full of his paintings, and the extensive gardens are much as he created them.
