Important
Notice About Astral Tours |
After
a decade of developing the small group day tour concept using small
minibuses and high quality guides, Astral Tours sadly ceased trading
in October 2007.
To fill the void and satisfy the demand for such tours from London,
an established company, International Friends are providing some of
Astral's most popular tour itineraries for the 2008 season using the
same small 16 seat buses that can visit the places the bigger buses
cannot go, together with high quality guides. |
| More
Details Of International Friends Small Group Day Tours |
Day
Tour Highlights:
Leeds Castle » Canterbury Cathedral »
The White Cliffs of Dover » The Garden of England.
|
Leeds
Castle |
| We
follow the old Pilgrims Way to the ancient walled city of Canterbury,
a place of pilgrimage for many centuries. Visit the magnificent cathedral,
the scene of the bloody murder of Thomas Beckett in 1170 and the home
of English christianity. |
| There's
also time to explore the labyrinth of medieval streets, quaint shops
and historic taverns. |
| |
| |
Afterwards
we take the grassy lanes through the orchards, hop fields and oast
houses of the Garden of England.
Visit Chilham, the prettiest village in Kent, and Pluckley, the most
haunted village in England and the setting of the popular comedy "The
Darling Buds of May"
|
 |
| The
tour will continue to Dover to see the famous white chalk cliffs and
Dover Castle, overlooking the busy harbour and the English Channel. |
And
finally to Leeds Castle, beautifully positioned on two small islands
in the middle of a lake.
Over 1000 years old, this spectacular castle has been a royal residence
for six of England's medieval queens and a palace for Henry VIII.
|
 |
|
The
castle is richly furnished and is set in beautifully landscaped
gardens. We spend over 2 hours here to allow plenty of time to explore
the castle and the grounds - including the culpepper country flower
and herb garden, maze and underground grotto and Aviary with its
collection of more than 100 rare species of birds.
Leeds Castle is one of the most romantic and most ancient castles
in the Kingdom. In the 9th century, this was the site of a manor
of the Saxon royal family.
Listed in the Domesday Book, this castle has been a Norman stronghold,
a royal residence to six of England's medieval Queens, a playground
and palace to Henry VIII and a private home.
The castle was first built in stone by Norman barons nearly 900
years ago to overawe the English.
On Edward I's accession, it was conveyed to the Crown, and for the
next three centuries was a royal palace; fortified, enlarged, enriched
and much loved by successive English Kings and Queens.
This
full day tour departs from London 8.15 am - 6.00pm.
Departs every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday
Free pick up from most Central London Hotels.
|
Adult
Price: £75
Child Price: £65 (3 - 16 yrs) |
 |
Including
all relevant entrance fees:
Canterbury Cathedral - 6 pounds per person
Leeds Castle - 13 pounds per person |
 |
