Castles Cobbles and Cream Teas in Kent

Mon 20 July - Fri 24 July 2026: A5 Day Escorted Coach Holiday to Chatham with Jones Holidays staying at The Bridgewood Manor Hotel & Spa, Chatham.

CASTLES, COBBLES AND CREAM TEAS IN KENT

20 - 24 July 2026

Monday - Friday

5 Days

From £699

The delightful county of Kent is blessed with charming English countryside and is well situated for our tour. We feature a visit to ‘The most beautiful castle in the world’ – as Leeds Castle is known and a 3-hour boat cruise on the Kentish Lady River Boat with lunch.

HOLIDAY HIGHLIGHTS

Leeds Castle | Kentish Lady River Boat | Penshurst Place & Gardens

DAY ONE – Arrival

We depart from your home and Chatham arriving late afternoon you will have time to relax before dinner this evening.

DAY TWO – Leeds Castle with Cream Tea

Glide into the glamourous and aristocratic world of Leeds Castle as you uncover the secrets and scandals of high society during a tell-tale talk from an enthusiastic expert. Make the most of all the attractions at this 900-year-old moated fortress. A refreshing cream tea in the Castle View Restaurant is included.

Today as you step through the gates of Leeds Castle, get ready for an experience to remember. Not your usual Castle, there’s so much to see we spend the day here.

There are over 900 years of glamorous history, lavish parties, and strong women. Don’t expect forts and military, you will experience heritage created by those who are visionary. Those who have crafted remarkable experiences, from the 9th century to the 20th century.

Leeds Castle has been designed over the centuries to entertain, to be a haven for all. Step back in time to experience the cinematic history of queens from the Middle Ages, as they share their untold stories, in their own voices.

With glorious scenery, and wonderful autumn colours you can also discover the scents, wildlife, and grounds of the 500 acres of parkland.

DAY THREE – Kentish Lady Cruise with Lunch

After breakfast we make our way to Maidstone where we board the Kentish Lady.

Departing from Maidstone Town Centre and cruises upriver through Farleigh Lock and onwards under Farleigh, Barming and Teston bridges, turning at Teston Lock for the return journey.

Whilst sailing you can enjoy a lunch plus a tea, coffee or water. You will be looked after by an attentive crew as they welcome you to move around the boat to enjoy their open decked spaces on the front and rear of the vessel.

With history around every corner and beautiful scenery this excursion is a wonderful experience from start to finish and includes an informative commentary, once through Farleigh lock the countryside opens to reveal wildlife of all varieties including Kingfishers, Herons, Swans, Cormorants, Geese and Ducks, so remember to keep a watchful eye out!

The catamaran style vessel has a fully licensed bar and onboard toilet facilities; its ground level decks also provide easy access for a limited number of standard wheelchairs.

DAY FOUR - Penshurst Place & Gardens

Today we visit Penhurst Place and Gardens to discover its rich medieval and Tudor history. Find out why the Sidney family, who still own it to this day, were gifted the property in 1552 by Henry VIII’s son, Edward VI. Take time to wander the unique historic Elizabethan Gardens with records dating back to the 14th century.

DAY FIVE – Departure

After breakfast this morning we leave our hotel and make our journey home with comfort stops en route.

YOUR HOLIDAY INCLUDES

Luxury coach travel
Home pick-up
4 nights accommodation, dinner & breakfast.
Tea/coffee on arrival
Porterage on arrival and departure
Tea/coffee after dinner each evening
Leeds Castle, Maidstone and its History - 30-min talk with Cream Tea
Kentish Lady River Boat 3hr Cruise with Lunch
Penshurst Place & Gardens.

THE BRIDGEWOOD MANOR HOTEL & SPA, CHATHAM

Bridgewood Manor Hotel and Spa is a charming four-star hotel, situated on the edge of historic Rochester, the hotel is in the heart of the Garden of England. The spa hotel benefits from a range of excellent amenities with beautiful rooms, a luxurious spa, indoor swimming pool and fitness centre, and all other amenities you would expect from a hotel of this standard.

YOUR HOLIDAY INCLUDES

Luxury coach travel

Home pick-up

4 nights accommodation, dinner & breakfast.

Tea/coffee on arrival

Porterage on arrival and departure

Tea/coffee after dinner each evening

Leeds Castle, Maidstone and its History - 30-min talk with Cream Tea

Kentish Lady River Boat 3hr Cruise with Lunch

Penshurst Place & Gardens.

THE BRIDGEWOOD MANOR HOTEL & SPA, CHATHAM

Bridgewood Manor Hotel and Spa is a charming four-star hotel, situated on the edge of historic Rochester, the hotel is in the heart of the Garden of England.

The spa hotel benefits from a range of excellent amenities with beautiful rooms, a luxurious spa, indoor swimming pool and fitness centre, and all other amenities you would expect from a hotel of this standard.

HOTEL FACILITIES INCLUDE

General	Rooms	Accessibility
4 star	Tea/coffee making facilities	Lift
Bar	Television	Wheelchair accessible
Restaurant	Hairdryer
Lounge	Wi-Fi
Indoor Swimming Pool
Gym

DAYS	TOUR DATE	DEPARTS	TERMS	SUPPLEMENT
5	20 – 24 JUL 2026	MONDAY	£699	£126 SINGLE
JONES HOLIDAYS INSURANCE			£36

Rooms are allocated on a first come first served basis and are limited. If no single supplement applies this is limited to the tour single room allocation and therefore additional cost may apply. Prices displayed are per person unless otherwise stated. If door-to-door pick-up is included there may be additional charges for out of area. Itineraries and hotel inclusions may be subject to change. Seat numbers on the coach may be subject to change. Issues whilst on tour must be raised in the first instance with the driver. Covid-19 restrictions may apply. When making bookings you accept on behalf of yourself and your party the terms in our Trading Charter which can be found in our brochure, on our website at http://www.jonesholidays.co.uk/Jones-holidays-trading-charter, or a copy can be requested from our Sales office. If your holiday is more than 56 days from departure, we offer a 7-day cooling off period where a full refund will be offered from the date of the initial confirmation invoice (with the exception of flight holidays).

B=Breakfast Included, D=Dinner Included

DAY ONE D	We depart from your home and Chatham arriving late afternoon you will have time to relax before dinner this evening.
DAY TWO B, D	Glide into the glamourous and aristocratic world of Leeds Castle as you uncover the secrets and scandals of high society during a tell-tale talk from an enthusiastic expert. Make the most of all the attractions at this 900-year-old moated fortress. A refreshing cream tea in the Castle View Restaurant is included. Today as you step through the gates of Leeds Castle, get ready for an experience to remember. Not your usual Castle, there's so much to see we spend the day here. There are over 900 years of glamorous history, lavish parties, and strong women. Don't expect forts and military, you will experience heritage created by those who are visionary. Those who have crafted remarkable experiences, from the 9th century to the 20th century. Leeds Castle has been designed over the centuries to entertain, to be a haven for all. Step back in time to experience the cinematic history of queens from the Middle Ages, as they share their untold stories, in their own voices. With glorious scenery, and wonderful autumn colours you can also discover the scents, wildlife, and grounds of the 500 acres of parkland.
DAY THREE B, D	After breakfast we make our way to Maidstone where we board the Kentish Lady. Departing from Maidstone Town Centre and cruises upriver through Farleigh Lock and onwards under Farleigh, Barming and Teston bridges, turning at Teston Lock for the return journey. Whilst sailing you can enjoy a lunch plus a tea, coffee or water. You will be looked after by an attentive crew as they welcome you to move around the boat to enjoy their open decked spaces on the front and rear of the vessel. With history around every corner and beautiful scenery this excursion is a wonderful experience from start to finish and includes an informative commentary, once through Farleigh lock the countryside opens to reveal wildlife of all varieties including Kingfishers, Herons, Swans, Cormorants, Geese and Ducks, so remember to keep a watchful eye out! The catamaran style vessel has a fully licensed bar and onboard toilet facilities; its ground level decks also provide easy access for a limited number of standard wheelchairs.
DAY FOUR B, D	Today we visit Penhurst Place and Gardens to discover its rich medieval and Tudor history. Find out why the Sidney family, who still own it to this day, were gifted the property in 1552 by Henry VIII's son, Edward VI. Take time to wander the unique historic Elizabethan Gardens with records dating back to the 14th century.
DAY FIVE B	After breakfast this morning we leave our hotel and make our journey home with comfort stops en route.

Number of passengers

Date	Duration	From price	Book now	Call back	Favourites
20 Jul 2026	5 Days	£699.00		—	★

Pick-up points

Find the closest pick up point to you for this trip

Name	Address
Bodelwyddan	Bodelwyddan, Marble Church
Broughton	Broughton, Broughton Layby on A5104
Chester, (Holiday Inn)	Chester, Holiday Inn South - Layby Outside
Chirk	Chirk, Moreton Park Garden Centre
Colwyn Bay	Colwyn Bay, Railway Station
Holywell	Holywell, Bus Station
Llandudno Junction	Llandudno Junction, Train Station Car Park
Wrexham (Plas Coch Pub)	Wrexham Plas Coch Pub

Home pick-ups

Use the map and postcode lookup to check if home pick-up is available and what it costs.

Home pick-up: £85.00

Home pick-up: £65.00

Home pick-up: £50.00

Home pick-up: £40.00

Home pick-up: £30.00

Home pick-up: £20.00

Home pick-up: £15.00

Home pick-up: Free

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Castles Cobbles and Cream Teas in Kent