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 Smugglers and Steam Trains  Meet your guide at the Ashford Outlet Village, and after a break for refreshments, you will visit Tenterden, the ‘Jewel of the Weald’ before travelling to Rolvenden, home of Great Maytham Hall, the inspiration for the children’s classic novel the ‘Secret Garden’. The Church of St Mary the Virgin, lies at the southern end of the village where the earliest surviving parts dating from around 1210 may be seen in the chancel. Passing through Newenden, believed to be the location of the last of King Alfred’s forts along the English south coast, we continue through the tranquil Kent villages of Northiam, Broad Oak and Udimore where legend has it that two local families had members in a notorious smuggling gang. On arriving in Rye, and after a short tour of the town, lunch will be taken. Parts of Rye still look today very similar to how the town did in the middle ages, with cobbled streets and fortifications. After lunch you will discover tales of smuggling on Romney Marsh as you pass through villages with Norman and medieval churches before arriving at New Romney to join the Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch miniature steam railway . Your journey on the railway will take in St Mary’s Bay and the traditional seaside town of Dymchurch before you alight in Hythe and rejoin your coach. Both New Romney station and Hythe station have full refreshment facilities for use before you begin your journey back to Tenterden past Port Lympne Wild Animal Park. On your return to Ashford shopping village, you will have the opportunity to wander at leisure through the various outlets. Essential information £12.65 (seniors: £12.65) including the train journey Available every day Coach Mileage: 65 miles Walking: Minimal how to book | download booking form Other tours: south east | all regions |
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