Gardens and Grapes

Overview

This 5 day, 4 night tour is based at the ORIDA Hotel Maidstone, a perfect destination to take in countryside scenery. You can enjoy every comfort ORIDA has to offer. Such as the quality restaurant, lounge bar, Starbucks cafe and ORIDA Health featuring an indoor pool, whirlpool, sauna, spa and gym.

Our itinerary includes visits to :

• A day at Hall Place & Gardens. This house is a Grade I listed country house built in 1537. A rare example of its type, many of the original features remain today. These include the beautiful 17^th century red brick courtyard and the spectacular plaster ceiling in the Great Chamber added around the same time. Explore the grounds that are set within a 65-hectare estate offering some outstanding examples of horticulture and wildlife. Whatever the season, there is always a spectacular show on in the award-winning gardens so watch out for squirrels, wagtails, geese, exotic ring-necked parakeets and even the resident kingfisher.
• A visit to Sissinghurst Castle Garden – the backdrop for a diverse history; from the astonishing time as a prison in the 1700s, to being a home to the women’s land army. It was also a family home to some fascinating people who lived here or came to stay. They’ve undertaken research to find out more about Vita and Harold’s original design and are taking steps to recapture the vision that they had.
• A light lunch and a vineyard tour at Balfour Winery. Along with world-class English wines, beers, and ciders, Balfour Winery is home to some of England’s most vibrant flora and fauna. For nature and wine lovers alike, the Estate offers an unparalleled experience. Take a stroll through beautiful vineyards, apple orchards and ancient oak woodlands, with an expert-led tour & tasting.
• A day at leisure in the Stunning CIty of Canterbury Explore this stunning cathedral city and its many gardens. One of the key gardens is the Franciscan Gardens – an oasis of tranquillity. They are also one of Canterbury’s best kept secrets! They initially belonged to the first Franciscan friary to be built in England. All that remains now is Greyfriars Chapel and the gardens. They can be accessed through a courtyard off Stour Street.