Leeds Castle, Dover & Canterbury: Day Trip from London

4.54

(2809 reviews)

What’s the experience like?

We rolled out of London before most of the city had even finished their first coffee, heading southeast as the buildings thinned and fields took over. I’d seen pictures of Leeds Castle before, but walking up the path with dew still clinging to my shoes felt different—like I’d stumbled into someone else’s memory. Our guide, Mark (who knew more about Tudor gossip than anyone I’ve met), pointed out how Henry VIII gifted this place to Catherine of Aragon. The stone was cool under my hand and there were ducks everywhere—one waddled right up to my bag. I tried not to laugh too loudly, but it was one of those small moments that sticks.

The drive to Canterbury wasn’t long—maybe an hour? Hard to tell because we ended up talking with a couple from Manchester about their favorite seaside towns. When we stepped inside Canterbury Cathedral, everything went quiet except for our footsteps echoing off centuries-old stone. There’s this faint scent—old wood polish and candle wax—and sunlight slipping through stained glass in colors I can’t really name. Our guide led us past tombs and arches, sharing stories about Thomas Becket’s murder that made me shiver a little. It’s strange how history feels heavier when you’re standing right where it happened.

The last stop was the White Cliffs of Dover. Windy doesn’t even begin to cover it—my hair was everywhere and I could taste salt in the air. We stood looking out at the Channel, cliffs bright against a moody sky. Someone said you could sometimes see France on clear days (not today). There was this quiet between us all for a minute or two; maybe everyone was thinking about home or journeys or just how cold their hands were getting. Anyway, by the time we got back on the coach for London, I realized I hadn’t checked my phone once all day—which probably says enough.