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 The Garden of England  Meet your guide in Wateringbury just off the M20. After a stop for refreshments travel through West Malling, with its fascinating blend of building styles, ranging through modern, Georgian, Tudor, medieval and even Norman. St Leonard’s Tower built in 1080 by Gundulf, Bishop of Rochester is a fine example of a Norman tower keep. You'll continue through the enchanting villages and towns of the Kent countryside, with numerous traditional half timbered and tile-hung houses steeped in years of history, along with Ightham Mote a 14th century moated manor house. A guided coach tour of Tonbridge will show the dominating sight of the 13th century Motte and Bailey castle and the famous Tonbridge School. Next stop is Hop Farm Country Park. Once a working Hop Farm, this site is home to award winning exhibitions such as a hop picking display, military vehicles and a display of horse drawn vehicles and brewery memorabilia. Lunch will be taken here. After lunch, continue through the panoramic Kent countryside, visiting Matfield, with one of the largest village greens in Kent and Horsmondon, once a thriving part of the Wealdon ironworking industry. Horsmondon claims to be the first place that the famous hop variety ‘Fuggles’ was grown. Journey through Staplehurst, famous for a serious incident involving Charles Dickens and pass through Collier Street, before arriving at Yalding Organic Gardens for afternoon refreshments. Here you can trace garden history through the various landscaped displays including a 13th century apothecary’s garden, a Tudor Knot and a 19th century cottager's garden. Returning to Wateringbury you will leave your guide and set off for home. Essential information £15.70 (seniors: £14.65) Available every day Coach Mileage: 56 miles Walking: Minimal how to book | download booking form Other tours: south east | all regions |
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