Monday
Arrival
Check in to the Holiday Inn, Maidstone – Sevenoaks in the afternoon. Later, we enjoy a welcome drink reception hosted by our tour manager.
Tuesday
Hole Park & Allington Castle
We begin with a trip to Hole Park, a delightful private home situated in a picturesque parkland setting and boasting a magnificent garden with far-reaching views over the woodland. For the past four generations, Hole Park has been owned by the Barham family and today we are treated to refreshments, an intriguing guided tour and an exclusive meeting with the current owner in the spectacular Hall (which isn’t usually open to the public), plus lunch in the Rolls Room.
Next stop is Allington Castle, a magical 12th-century fortress rarely open to the public. With its winding moat, precious tapestries and regal furniture, it feels as if we’re stepping into an ancient world here; just imagine Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn dining with politician and poet Sir Thomas Wyatt in 1530 in the atmospheric Great Hall! Today, all that remains of the original castle is a section of wall and the kitchen fireplace, which dates back to 1174. The powerful Wyatt family acquired the property in 1491 and transformed it into an impressive mansion house, and we find out more on our guided tour.
Wednesday
Lullingstone Castle & the World Garden & Provender House
After breakfast, we make our way to Lullingstone Castle, recorded in the Domesday Book and one of the oldest family estates in England. The present manor house was built in 1497 and has been home to the same family ever since. Altered extensively in Queen Anne’s time, the house boasts fine state rooms and beautiful grounds, including a stunning 15-acre lake and the World Garden, home to thousands of rare plants collected from around the world by Tom Hart Dyke, the current heir, planted in their respective continents of origin. Incredibly, the ideas and plans for this garden were started during Tom’s nine-month kidnap ordeal in the early 2000s, a result of rare plant hunting in the Colombian jungle. There are plenty of unique species, including the world’s most dangerous plant, the hottest chilli and the rarest gum tree. If he is available, Tom takes us on a guided tour.
Afterwards we travel to Provender, home of Princess Olga Romanoff, daughter of Prince Andrew Romanoff, the eldest nephew of the Tsar Nicholas II of Russia. Dating back to the 13th century, Provender is a fascinating record of English building traditions over seven centuries. A recent programme of careful restoration has revealed a wealth of historical and architectural detail which we discover on our exclusive private tour, led by the princess herself,* rounded off with tea and cake.
After dinner this evening, we enjoy an interesting themed talk from a guest speaker.
Thursday
Camden Place & Belmont House
Today we visit Camden Place, the house where the overthrown Napoleon III died in exile, where we enjoy tea and cake. Largely unchanged for over a century, this atmospheric gem boasts feature fireplaces and staircases plus intricate tapestries left by Napoleon himself, as well as Empress Eugénie and the Prince Imperial, the house’s previous tenants. If these historic walls could talk, they would tell fascinating stories of murders, spies, exiled life and more.
For our last visit we head to Belmont House for a guided tour and refreshments. This magnificent Neo-classical country house is a completely unspoilt example of architect Samuel Wyatt’s work. Six generations of the Harris family have each left their mark on this treasure, which contains mementos of the family’s history and travels and the finest private collection of clocks and watches in Britain, created by the 5th Lord Harris. There is also time to enjoy the lovely grounds, which encompass everything from beautiful gardens and magical woodlands to fruit-laden orchards and a cricket pitch.
Friday
Departure
After breakfast, check out of the hotel for the journey home.
Please note: the itinerary order is subject to change and guided tours are subject to availability.