8-9 hrs Canterbury, Leeds Castle and Dover Drive through Kent - the Garden of England - with its lush fields and pretty villages to medieval Canterbury. Its splendid Norman cathedral was the scene of the murder of Thomas à Becket in 1170 when he was the Archbishop of Canterbury. Visit Leeds, a fairy-tale castle over 1,000 years old, set on an island in the middle of a lake and surrounded by beautifully landscaped gardens, also known as Lady's Castle because of the many Queens of England who lived here. Dover is renowned for its great stretch of white chalk cliffs and fine 12th century castle.

(If time permits see the Channel Tunnel entrance which links Britain with France and it's interesting exhibition)

Southampton - Windsor Castle - Gatwick

Visit Windsor Castle, England’s largest royal residence with magnificent State Apartments, St. George’s Chapel, burial place of Kings and Queens, and Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House, exquisitely perfect to the tiniest detail.  Note: subject to opening hours of the State Apartments. 
It is a one hour 15 minutes drive to Windsor castle and they would have roughly 3 and a half hours to look around the castle and go for lunch. It is then a one hour drive to Gatwick.

Southampton - Hampton Court - Gatwick

Visit Hampton Court, built in 1514, beautifully situated along the River Thames and a favourite residence of Henry VIII. Five of his wives lived here and the ghosts of two (Jane Seymour and Catherine Howard) supposedly haunt it. See the world’s largest grape vine, the maze, astronomical clock and Henry VIII’s tennis court.

The distances and timings are the same as for Windsor Castle above.

Southampton - Arundel Castle - Gatwick

This 11th Century castle is both the ancient fortification and stately home of the Dukes of Norfolk and Earls of Arundel. Inside the castle, 20 rooms are open to the public including the vast Baron's Hall with its fine collection of 16th Century furniture and the Armoury. The gallery shows paintings by Van Dyck, Gainsborough, Canaletto and others, together with personal possessions of Mary Queen of Scots.

Arundel Castle is one hour from Southampton, spend a couple of hours looking around the castle and gardens and then go for lunch. It is then a one hour drive to Gatwick Airport.

We can also provide pre- and post- cruise stay with sightseeing

Other Special Interest Tours   UK Europe Main Page