Itinerary
Day 1 - After boarding your holiday coach, head to Denbies Wine Estate, one of England's largest single estate vineyards, comprising 380 acres with 265 acres currently under vine. The first vines were planted on the estate in 1986. With a glass of Denbies award-winning sparkling wine, enjoy a 50-minute 'vineyard train' tour through the vineyard to some of the most beautiful viewpoints. This informative and relaxed tour is a perfect photo opportunity, so don't forget your cameras. There is a café on site as well as a wine & gift shop and art gallery. Continue onwards this afternoon to check into your hotel on the outskirts of Maidstone for your 3-night stay DBB
Day 2 - Shepherd Neame, Lunch & Whitstable
A relaxed start today before you head to medieval Faversham for a visit to Shepherd Neame, Britain's oldest brewer. The Faversham Brewery produces traditional Kentish Ales such as Spitfire Amber Ale and Bishops Finger as well as award-winning lagers such as Singha and Hürlimann. Discover the ancient art of brewing on a guided tour around the site, learning about brewing and fermentation vessels, taste natural mineral water from the brewery's well, try some malted barley and enjoy the aroma of locally grown Kentish hops. You will also visit the Old Brewery Store with its impressive display of historic delivery vehicles, a re-created coopers' workshop and bygone pub signs. The tour is followed by a tasting of three different beers plus a complimentary drink of your choice (ale, lager, wine or soft). An included 2-course lunch will be served afterwards.
NB The tour involves some steep staircases and uneven walkways. A virtual tour is available. Sensible footwear is required to participate (open toed sandals, flip flops etc are not permitted).
Off to nearby Whitstable this afternoon - with its maritime history, long shingled beach and modern appeal, Whitstable is like no other town by the sea. Delight in the town's bohemian charm, full of independent craft and gift shops, galleries, delicatessens and fashion shops trading side by side with butchers and bakers. Whitstable's main claim to fame is its oysters which remain an intrinsic part of this sea town's character. It is also one of the few towns in the country that has a pub on the beach.
Day 3 - Sissinghurst Castle Garden & Rye
Historic, poetic, iconic - a refuge dedicated to beauty, Sissinghurst is famous as the epitome of the English garden. Explore its series of garden rooms, each filled with different planting schemes and unique designs. Heralded for its beauty and diversity, the garden is a result of the creative tension between Harold Nicolson's formal design and the exuberant planting of Vita Sackville-West in the early 1930s. Summer highlights include the Rose Garden and the White Garden. There is an accessible route through the garden but there are some narrow pathways and uneven terrain. You will also find a plant shop, café and gift shop on site.
This afternoon it's off to picturesque Rye in Sussex's 1066 country. A medieval cobbled citadel huddled against invaders and the sea, Rye is home to a myriad of art, curiosities and cosy pubs. Built on smuggled secrets and timeless tales, Rye has nooks and crannies to explore and distant views across Romney Marsh to ponder. You'll find an array of delicatessens, bookshops and quirky independent emporia on the High Street as well as antiques, art and photography galleries.
Day 4 - After breakfast head homewards with an en-route stop in Royal Tunbridge Wells, one of Georgian England's most fashionable destinations. The discovery of the Chalybeate Spring over 400 years ago, made the town a magnet for royalty and the gentry. The elegance and atmosphere of this bygone era remain today. Visit The Pantiles, the famous colonnaded walkway where the aristocracy once promenaded, and which is now home to a wonderful selection of high-quality boutiques, specialist independent shops, bars and cafés. Continue to interchange to arrive back in your hometowns early evening.