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Canterbury Cathedral and Hever Castle Oxford PhD Guide Day Trip
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Free cancellation
Up to 24 hours in advance. Learn More
10 Hours
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English
Overview
Your guide, Dr Geoff is an expert on medieval church architecture and has written a book on the subject. With this expertise, your guide will show you all of the features of this great building. You will learn not only why it was built but how.
You will also learn about the fact that this cathedral was a murder scene! In 1170 Archbishop Thomas Becket was killed by four knights who cut him down inside. Was King Henry II really to blame? You decide! You will see where this happened and see where the shrine to the Saint was created.
You will also learn about why Canterbury was such an important place in English history. Dr Geoff explains everything in an easy-to-understand way which has earned him consistent 5-Star Tripadvisor ratings on his other tour.
What's Included
- Oxford PhD Historian - Expert Guide
- Return train/coach/bus transportation from London Victoria to Canterbury, and Hever Castle
- Cathedral Ticket £17 pp and Castle Ticket £20-23 pp
- We can have lunch at a 500-year-old pub in Canterbury - cost not included.
Meeting And Pickup
Meeting point
We will meet at 8:10 am at London's Victoria Station in central London outside at the grand entrance as in the photo.
Start time
08:30 AM
End Point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.
What To Expect
Canterbury Cathedral
We depart London Victoria at 8:30 am by train. This is the fastest way to leave London for Canterbury and the only way to avoid London's traffic. We will soon head across the Thames and into the very historic county of Kent. From the comfort of the train, you will pass through the picturesque Kent countryside. After the 90-minute train ride, we will arrive at Canterbury a true medieval walled city. It is a very leisurely 8-minute walk from the Station. Upon entering the Cathedral you will be overwhelmed by the sheer scale and magnificence of this World Heritage Site. It is simply breathtaking to see the glory of the stone vaulting, the grandeur, the artistry, craftsmanship of this church. It was built over centuries and Dr Geoff will explain the differences that you will see. After our tour, the group will have a choice to eat at a 500-year-old pub in Canterbury. We then head, by bus to the charming village of Hever, Kent which Anne Boleyn called home before marrying Henry VIII.
6 Hours • Admission Ticket Not Included
Hever Castle & Gardens
We will board the coach at around 1:30 pm for a 1-hour drive to Hever Castle. There we will pass through its stunning gardens on the way to this 15th-century castle and manor. Here Dr Geoff will walk you around the castle to understand its construction and how it was at one time a military fortress but later a home of one of the wealthiest families of the Gilded Age in America. It was in 1903 one of the homes of William Waldorf Astor the famous millionaire. As the passageways and rooms are very narrow and small you will follow a self-guided audio tour Inside the castle. Dr Geoff will be available to respond to all questions as required. After the tour, we will resume our discussion outside and have a chance to wander the sumptuous gardens to naturally discuss Henry VIII, Anne Boleyn, her execution at the Bloody Tower, and all other things Tudor. We head back to London around 4:30 via train to avoid the London traffic arriving around 6 pm.
4 Hours • Admission Ticket Not Included
Additional Info
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Operated by Historic Tours of England
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
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