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Kent & East Sussex

England

Stunning houses, spectacular gardens and sea air

Rolling hills meet dramatic cliffs in Kent, the garden of England. Orchards and vineyards heavy with plump fruit demonstrate the fecundity of the land, which is dotted with elegant stately homes with carefully manicured grounds and intimate walled gardens. Where the fertile landscapes of Kent and East Sussex meet the sea, towering chalk descends into beautiful stretches of beach. Lovely seaside resorts or ancient, historic towns provide a perfect base for exploration.

CASTLES AND COAST IN KENT & EAST SUSSEX

Relish history & heritage in the poetic scenery of the south east


From £539 per person

based on two sharing in a twin/double room, with a minimum of 30 passengers travelling in a specific month


Best time to go

April, May, June, July, September, October


Suggested Hotel

Best Western York House Hotel, Eastbourne

  • Excellent seafront location
  • Close walk to the pier and town centre
  • Restaurant and terrace with sea views
  • Small indoor swimming pool
  • Comfortable en suite rooms

Not the hotel for your group? Other hotels are available, contact us.


Attractions:

Scotney Castle (NT)

Discover fine paintings, lavish textiles and furniture, and a plethora of books in this moated 14th century castle. Set within over 770 acres of peaceful woodland and parkland, there’s an abundance of fine flora to appreciate.

Royal Pavilion, Brighton

King George VI’s outrageously exotic pleasure palace has to be one of the UK’s most outlandish and dazzling buildings. The décor and architecture merges Far Eastern influences from China and India with Regency grandeur, making it a wholly unusual and visually arresting place to explore.

Brighton

This thriving seaside resort has something to entice everyone with an eclectic mixture of vintage shops and markets, a range of art galleries and museums, and the iconic pier that is reminiscent of traditional seaside holidays. This vibrant city has a bohemian, artsy vibe making it a wonderfully quirky place to visit.

Hever Castle

Steeped in 700 years of history, this 13th century moated castle was the home in which Anne Boleyn, second wife of King Henry VIII and mother to Elizabeth I, lived as a child. You’ll see an extraordinary range of antiques and artwork, considered to be one of the finest collections of Tudor portraits outside of the National Portrait Gallery. Enjoy a serene stroll through the award-winning formal gardens within the grounds.

Kent & East Sussex Railway

Step aboard the beautifully restored coaches dating from the 1880s and sightsee in style. On the country’s finest and first example of a rural light railway, you’ll be able to relax and fully take in the picturesque Wealden countryside from the comfort of your carriage, before terminating at Bodiam castle.

Bodiam Castle (NT)

Dating back to the 1300s, Bodiam Castle is grand and impressive with turreted towers, spiral staircases and the rarity of having its original wooden portcullis still intact. Climbing up the corkscrew flights of stairs, you’ll be treated to some incredible views of the undulating Sussex countryside.

Bateman's (NT)

Nestled within a sheltered valley sits the family home of famous English writer, Rudyard Kipling. This 17th-century National Trust property is a Success Tours favourite; despite its modest size, the house oozes character and intrigue, with wooden beams, mullioned windows, and Eastern furnishings harking back to Kipling’s childhood in India.


Team Comments:

“Bateman's is a small, history-packed, warm and welcoming National Trust house with perhaps the friendliest volunteer room guides I’ve ever encountered! Really interesting artefacts and exhibition on Rudyard Kipling himself.” (Jackie)


Alternatives

Flexible itinerary

This area is perfect for any group - with castles, houses & gardens, coast, architecture, galleries and more, we can tailor a tour to your group's interests.


Got a question?
Need some advice?
Talk to us!

We love to talk travel! If our site has inspired you, please do get in touch to discuss your group's specific requirements on the phone number below. Alternatively, drop us an email and we'll get back to you.

Our office hours are 09:00 – 17:00 (UK time), Monday to Friday. If you are on tour and need to contact us outside of office hours, please call the 24hr on tour assistance number.

(If calling from abroad, please remember to add 0044 and drop the first 0 from the below numbers.)

Call: 01225 764205
Email: enquiries@successtours.com

24hr On Tour Assistance Number:
07957 838280