Monarchs, Mistresses & Martyrs

We invite you to tread in the footsteps of the Monarchs, Mistresses and Martyrs to discover Kent's endless royal heritage, tales of martyrdom, intrigue and dynastic struggles at Henry II's court at Dover Castle, interwined with romantic liaisons in Tudor England.

Option 1: Monarchs & Martyrs

Early Morning: Dover Castle, one of the largest castles in England. Immerse yourself in medieval court life at Henry II's Great Tower. Witness first hand the dynastic struggles between Henry, known for his violent temper, and his warring family as you experience the colour of medieval life in the 21st century.
(10 minutes from Dover Cruise Terminal)

Afternoon: Canterbury Cathedral - In 1170 during the reign of Henry II, Archbishop Thomas Becket was murdered in the Cathedral, which made Canterbury into one of the most important pilgrimage centres in Europe. A later Archbishop of Canterbury Thomas Cranmer was burnt at the stake by 'Bloody Mary' daughter of Henry VIII for refusing to become a catholic.
(20 minutes from Dover Cruise Terminal)

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Option 2: Walk in Henry VIII's footsteps

When he became King, Henry inherited a wealth of castles and royal residences scattered around the country. One of these was magnificent Leeds Castle, near Maidstone, used as a retreat by Henry who invested heavily in improvements, including exquisite windows, fireplaces and banqueting halls, still on view today. Henry and Katherine of Aragon spent a night at Leeds en route to the 'Field of the Cloth of Gold', a meeting between Henry VIII and Francis I of France. Henry also retreated to Leeds Castle to escape the plague raging in London.

Breakfast and/or lunch at Fairfax Hall, Leeds Castle.
(45 minutes from Dover Cruise Terminal)

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To make a day's excursion from Dover, pick and mix from the following options:

Ightham Mote, near Sevenoaks.
Sir Richard Clement, the owner from 1521 to 1538, aimed to keep in well at court by embellishing his home with displays of loyalty to Henry and Katherine: note the Tudor Rose and pomegranate of Aragon in the stained glass of the Great Hall and the barrel-vaulted roof of the New Chapel.
(1 hour 10 minutes from Dover Cruise Terminal).

Knole
This beautiful stately home is set in a magnificent medieval deer park. Henry VIII liked it so much he forced Thomas Cranmer, his Archbishop of Canterbury to hand it to him in 1538.
(1 hour 30 minutes from Dover Cruise Terminal)

Penshurst Place
Set amidst Tudor gardens and parkland. Henry often stayed here while courting Anne at Hever Castle.
(1 hour 30 minutes from Dover Cruise Terminal).

Hever Castle
Anne Boleyn's family home, the most romantic reason for Henry's frequent visits to Kent. See the Book of Hours (prayer book), inscribed and signed by Anne, which she probably clasped as she stepped to her execution at the Tower of London after being condemned for adultery.
(1 hour 30 minutes from Dover Cruise Terminal)