Our society 5 day Holiday in Kent April 2018

Our society 5 day Holiday in Kent April 2018

Day 1 Mon 16th April 2018 We left Kingswood at 8.0 clock and after a break on the M4 we reached our first stop which was Ightham Moat a medieval moated manor House near Sevenoaks. After a very interesting visit we then continued to our Hotel for the week The Holiday Inn, on the outskirts of Rochester.

Ightham Moat a medieval moated manor House near Sevenoaks, Kent.
A bedroom within Ightham Moat a medieval moated manor House near Sevenoaks, Kent.
The court yard of Ightham Moat a medieval moated manor House near Sevenoaks, Kent.
The exterior of Ightham Moat a medieval moated manor House near Sevenoaks, Kent.

Day 2 was spent at the Royal Dockyard, Chatham. With so much to see and do, we could have easily spent another day there.

HMS Gannett at the Royal Dockyard, Chatham.
The bridge telegraphy room in a WWII destroyer at the Royal Dockyard, Chatham.
Norma standing next to a Pecketts locomotive in the Chatham Dock Yard.
An impressive roof and storage facility at the Royal Dockyard, Chatham.
Linda and Margaret alongside a WWII destroyer at Chatham Dockyard, Kent.
A WWII destroyer at Chatham Dockyard, Kent.

Day 3  This is where the Society had two options, first a day in Rochester with the oldest Cathedral in the country ,the Norman Castle , Museums and of course the Town itself which has many interesting buildings and quaint little shops. Second option was a visit to Hever Castle, the ancestral home of Anne Boleyn. The members who chose to go there all remarked what an enjoyable visit it was, a really amazing place.

Rochester Cathedral.
The Nave of Rochester Cathedral.

Day 4 The entire day was spent in Canterbury, we enjoyed lovely weather all the week which enabled members to be able to roam the City freely and enjoy all that Canterbury has to offer which is considerable.

Day 5 Departing the Hotel at 9.45, we headed towards Tonbridge to visit what turned out to be a beautiful fortified mansion house, Penshurst Place. The House has been used many times for film and TV productions including Elizabeth R, Merlin, Covington Cross, Wolf Hall and many years ago the Beverly Hillbillies used it as Clampett Castle. As a society, we would recommend anyone interested in History to visit this House if in the area. 3pm, the visit over, we headed for the M4 and home to Kingswood arriving at 8.30pm.

Penshurst Place, Tonbridge, Kent.
The gardens at Penshurst Place, Tonbridge, Kent.
Armour in the grand hall in Penshurst Place, Tonbridge, Kent.
Members of The Kingswood History Society 2018.

Thanks to Chauffeur Hire Coaches, first class Coach and an equally good driver Paul, who drove us with care comfort and safety.

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