Churchill, Darwin & Kipling's Kent

Excursion One - Chartwell & Down House
We start with a visit to Chartwell, Sir Winston Churchill’s beloved family retreat. Superlative views over the Weald of Kent combine with an evocative, homely interior full of the great statesman’s personal and political mementos, including an amazing collection of gifts he received from other world leaders. Hidden in the beautiful grounds is Churchill’s studio, hung with scores of his striking landscape paintings.  

We continue on to Down House, home of scientist Charles Darwin and his family for 40 years. Several rooms have been recreated as they appeared when he lived here including the study where he wrote 'On the Origin of Species'. The house is surrounded by extensive gardens; Darwin's 'outdoor laboratory'.

Excursion Two - Bateman’s & Scotney Castle
17^th-century Bateman’s so enchanted Jungle Book author Rudyard Kipling when he discovered it, that he made it his home in 1902. With its stone-mullioned windows and Sussex oak beams, it’s a romantic retreat that has been left virtually untouched since Kipling’s tenure here. The tranquil gardens include an orchard, formal garden and a colourful wildflower meadow, through which a river flows.

Wealthy Victorians liked nothing more in their gardens than a picturesque ruin and the partially-ruined, 14^th century moated example at Scotney Castle is particularly romantic, with roses and wisteria adorning its walls. The lovely Victorian country house overlooking it combines 19^th century revival style furnishings with domestic comfort.

Excursion Three - Hever Castle & Ightham Mote
We head to Hever Castle, the childhood home of Henry VIII’s second wife, Anne Boleyn, where we enjoy a tour*. Dating back to the late 13^th century, this double-moated castle originated as a gatehouse and walled bailey and is home to various historic artefacts such as Tudor portraits and furniture, as well as two prayer books signed and inscribed by Anne Boleyn. The castle was lavishly restored and extended in the early 20^th century by American millionaire, William Waldorf Astor. The spectacular gardens feature peaceful walks, two mazes and their own rose – the Hever Castle Rose.

Finally, we explore the romantic, moated manor house of Ightham Mote, once described by David Starkey as “the most beautiful and the most interesting of English country houses”. Built nearly 700 years ago, atmospheric Ightham has been home to medieval knights, courtiers to Henry VIII and Victorian High Society. The tranquil garden features lakes and an orchard, while the ancient estate offers breathtaking views of the Kent countryside.

Excursion One - Chartwell & Down House
We start with a visit to Chartwell, Sir Winston Churchill’s beloved family retreat. Superlative views over the Weald of Kent combine with an evocative, homely interior full of the great statesman’s personal and political mementos, including an amazing collection of gifts he received from other world leaders. Hidden in the beautiful grounds is Churchill’s studio, hung with scores of his striking landscape paintings.  

We continue on to Down House, home of scientist Charles Darwin and his family for 40 years. Several rooms have been recreated as they appeared when he lived here including the study where he wrote 'On the Origin of Species'. The house is surrounded by extensive gardens; Darwin's 'outdoor laboratory'.

Excursion Two - Bateman’s & Scotney Castle
17^th-century Bateman’s so enchanted Jungle Book author Rudyard Kipling when he discovered it, that he made it his home in 1902. With its stone-mullioned windows and Sussex oak beams, it’s a romantic retreat that has been left virtually untouched since Kipling’s tenure here. The tranquil gardens include an orchard, formal garden and a colourful wildflower meadow, through which a river flows.

Wealthy Victorians liked nothing more in their gardens than a picturesque ruin and the partially-ruined, 14^th century moated example at Scotney Castle is particularly romantic, with roses and wisteria adorning its walls. The lovely Victorian country house overlooking it combines 19^th century revival style furnishings with domestic comfort.

Excursion Three - Hever Castle & Ightham Mote
We head to Hever Castle, the childhood home of Henry VIII’s second wife, Anne Boleyn, where we enjoy a tour*. Dating back to the late 13^th century, this double-moated castle originated as a gatehouse and walled bailey and is home to various historic artefacts such as Tudor portraits and furniture, as well as two prayer books signed and inscribed by Anne Boleyn. The castle was lavishly restored and extended in the early 20^th century by American millionaire, William Waldorf Astor. The spectacular gardens feature peaceful walks, two mazes and their own rose – the Hever Castle Rose.

Finally, we explore the romantic, moated manor house of Ightham Mote, once described by David Starkey as “the most beautiful and the most interesting of English country houses”. Built nearly 700 years ago, atmospheric Ightham has been home to medieval knights, courtiers to Henry VIII and Victorian High Society. The tranquil garden features lakes and an orchard, while the ancient estate offers breathtaking views of the Kent countryside.