We look at both town and village life today and how the way we lived in the past has influenced today’s landscapes and architecture. Kent has one of the longest coastlines of any English county, and we discover tiny fishing villages, seaside resorts, bustling ports and salt marshes, and hear tales of those who lived here once but whose legacies remain today. 

As The Garden of England, we take the opportunity to tour by orchards and hop gardens, hearing of the still echoing rhythm of the agricultural year. Carvings and symbols in parish churches show how we farmed and fished from Medieval times and we still see this in such services as the Blessing of The Hops in Canterbury Cathedral. Also millions of Harvest Festivals in Parish Churches throughout the county and ceremonies like the ‘Blessing of The Waves’ in our fishing ports. 

We take our time machine back to pre-Christian times and see how the Pagan rites merged into Christian traditions, and where we see evidence of this in our churches and churchyards today. It may be that your ancestors came from Kent or Sussex, an opportunity here to trace your roots. We can still see evidence of their names echoing through the ages.

As we are small exclusive groups, we leave the highways and explore off the beaten track. Beautiful picturesque rural villages with tiny schools, perhaps next to the church or opposite the village pub. Ancient manors with beautiful houses and landscaped gardens which today might welcome us as visitors to see how life was, and how we have travelled into the 21st century. Tiny cottages, some thatched, line village streets with some of the loveliest old pubs and quite a few renowned gastro pubs. Who lives here now, and what do they do ? 

Who are the people who have joined our communities in numbers since time immemorial and continue to add to the cosmopolitan mix which enriches our culture and has influenced our lifestyles and language over the years. We might hear of Romans or Vikings but we can also see what they have left behind and how we are influenced by their lives and actions albeit well over a thousand or two thousand years since they first came to these shores. Modern urban life too gives us insight into any industry or retail and tourism experiences. There is so much to discover and see for yourselves.

Half Day or Full Day tours can be mainly panoramic with plenty of short photo stops or we can take the opportunity to visit some of the many heritage/leisure attractions on offer today.

Perhaps you have arrived in Dover Cruise Terminal and, maybe, taken a Shore Excursion to some of Kent’s major heritage sites? Or, maybe you have travelled from London to Dover on your way to France or beyond. Many have arrived here and headed for Canterbury, London, or toured around the UK. This is the opportunity to discover so much more about this beautiful county in the company of a local, professional tourist guide. The tours are private and exclusive and perfect for families or friends (1-15 persons) where we can arrange a chauffeur driven car or minibus, or accompany you in your own vehicle (Covid Secure Conditions to apply)