Curious Kent new tour
Monday 13 October 2025 to Friday 17 October 2025
£695pp Single supplement £100
- Destination
- Itinerary
- Full inclusions
- Hotel
- Booking request
Why visit Kent? Kent is known as the Garden of England and in autumn it really earns its crown as the county turns a beautiful shade of gold, amber and red. See it for yourself at Hole Park who invite you to feel at home in their family gardens, as a riot of colour erupts in the woodland. Sit back and watch the autumnal scenery roll by as you take a heritage rail line all the way from Hythe to Britain's only desert (according to the Met Office) at Dungeness - where wild and untamed scenery awaits. Kent's towns are full of quaint medieval streets and ancient buildings, with plenty of stories to tell. Visit Rye, Cranbrook and Canterbury and start writing some 'Canterbury' tales of your own.
Why visit with us? In 2024 99% of our holiday customers said they would book again and 99% also said they would recommend us to a friend. Shaws Coaches has a strong reputation for a dependable service, with a proven track record for punctuality and professionalism. Our friendly booking team and highly-rated tour drivers are ready to welcome you.
What do our customers say? "Really good hotel with super walks along the seas" • "Driver was great, very helpful and thoughtful" • "Driver was patient, friendly and always has local knowledge"
Holiday Insurance. We always recommend taking out adequate holiday insurance, that's why we’ve partnered with David Oliver Associates who offer cover specifically designed for your coach holiday. Find out more and get your free quote.
Tour code: A3493
Monday
Check in at your coastal hotel with tea/coffee and biscuits.
Tuesday
Enjoy a nostalgic journey through 13.5 miles of coast and country along the Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Railway. The traditional steam and diesel locomotives were all built before 1937, so you’ll feel like you’ve stepped back in time as you make your way to Dungeness. There’s time to enjoy the unique and striking scenery at Dungeness – be wowed by one of the largest shingle expanses in the world, so much so that it’s classified as Britain’s only desert by the Met Office! Finish the day in the charming town of Rye amongst its ancient medieval streets, cobbled alleyways and relaxed atmosphere.
Wednesday
Enjoy your day at leisure - the hotel is just 10 minutes’ walk from Folkestone town centre and an even shorter stroll to the cliff top where you’ll find winding routes down to the sandy beach. Folkestone's Creative Quarter is packed with independents and eateries and the new developments on the Harbour Arm are a great place for morning coffee. The Leas Lift, a water balanced funicular which opened in 1885, was the third hydraulic lift in the world and is now listed as being of historic importance. On a clear day the French coast is visible across The Channel.
Thursday
Four generations of the Barham family have created a beautiful 16-acre garden at Hole Park through a skilful mix of formal design and naturalised planting. In autumn, warming reds, yellows, deep greens and oranges fill the tree tops, you may even be lucky enough to see the late flowering, bright purple, agapanthus. Enjoy a delicious Ploughman’s here before continuing to Cranbrook where the narrow medieval streets are lined with pretty houses, each one different from its neighbour. You’ll find interesting shops and the wonderful Union Mill - England's tallest and finest working smock mill.
Friday
Enjoy time in another of Kent’s 'Jewels' - Canterbury, where you’ll find three UNESCO world heritage sites, six museums, seven art galleries, six theatres, one castle, one abbey, one cathedral and 24 Canterbury Tales. You may not have quite enough time to fit them all in! We’ll head home early afternoon after spending time at this pretty spot on the River Stour.
- 4 night stay with breakfast
- 3 course dinner with tea/coffee (min 3 choices)
- Journey on the Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Railway
- Entry to Hole Park with lunch
- Scenic stop at Dungeness
- Free time in Rye, Folkestone, Cranbrook & Canterbury
- Tea/coffee/biscuits on arrival at the hotel
- Porterage
- All travel including home collection*
- International Passenger Protection
- Reserved coach seat
- 18kg suitcase pp
- Executive touring coach featuring a refreshment station, reclining seats, reading lights, curtains, foot and arm rests, toilet, safety belts, air suspension and individual air-flow controls
- An experienced, friendly, highly-rated and professional tour driver
- Friendly booking team on hand to answer any questions you might have in the run up to your holiday
- HALF PRICE DEPOSIT OFFER! Book before 31 July 2025 and pay just £25pp with the balance due 8 weeks prior to departure (deposit rises to £50pp thereafter)
- LOYALTY DISCOUNT! Book 3 holidays (in any calendar year) and save £15pp, book 4+ and save £20pp, just let us know in special requests that you'd like to redeem your discount
- SAVE £10PP by meeting the coach at Maxey, Stamford Bus Station or Peterborough Extra Services
- *Providing you live in Bourne, Stamford, Peterborough, Uppingham, The Deepings, Spalding, Whittlesey, Oakham and most of the villages between them and Maxey (we're happy to collect from outside of our free pick-up area with a small additional charge)
- *We’re pleased to offer home collection from the Welwyn area following our successful partnership with Reg’s Coaches. Departures from Welwyn, Welwyn Garden City, Codicote, Woolmer Green, Knebworth, Hatfield, Stevenage and many of the nearby villages incur a small supplement of £30pp. We’re happy to pick up outside these areas, please enquire
Burlington Hotel, Best Western Premier Collection 
- Beautifully positioned on The Leas clifftop promenade in Folkestone with views across The Channel
- Charming Victorian hotel
- 10 minutes walk to Folkestone town centre and 25 minutes walk to the Harbour Arm
- A short stroll to the cliff top where you’ll find winding routes through the trees down to Folkestone’s sandy beach
- Ensuite rooms with TV, phone, hairdryer, free WiFi & complimentary tea/coffee tray and toiletries
- Restaurant and bar/lounge
- Garden and patio
- Lift to all floors
ACCESS: Some steps to some bedrooms, nine steps at the hotel entrance (ramp access via the restaurant to the side), a few steps to the garden/patio, limited walk-in showers
Please ask us about upgrade options which may be available at supplement