Leeds Castle & Canterbury Cathedral Tour

From£109
9 hours
London, United Kingdom

About this activity

A full-day excursion from London to explore Leeds Castle, Canterbury Cathedral, and enjoy a Thames River cruise with a snack pack.

Highlights

  • Explore the historic Leeds Castle
  • Discover the stunning Canterbury Cathedral
  • Enjoy a scenic Thames River cruise
  • Savor a delightful snack pack on board
  • Experience the charm of Greenwich

Full description

Set off on an unforgettable journey from London to delve into England's rich history and picturesque landscapes. Begin with a guided tour of the magnificent Leeds Castle, often referred to as the 'Loveliest Castle in the World,' where you'll wander through its opulent rooms and lush gardens. Next, visit the awe-inspiring Canterbury Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage site renowned for its stunning architecture and spiritual significance. Conclude your day with a relaxing Thames River cruise, taking in iconic landmarks such as the Tower of London and the London Eye, all while enjoying a complimentary snack pack. This excursion offers a perfect blend of history, culture, and scenic beauty, making it an ideal choice for travelers seeking a comprehensive and enjoyable day trip from London.

Included / Excluded

  • Guided tour of Leeds Castle
  • Visit to Canterbury Cathedral
  • Thames River cruise with snack pack
  • Meals not specified in the itinerary

Itinerary

1

Pass by: Described as 'the loveliest castle in the world' by Lord Conway, Leeds Castle sits in 500 acres of landscaped parkland across two idyllic islands, deep in the heart of the magnificent Kent countryside. Early arrival ensures an almost private visit of Leeds Castle, where Henry VIII retreated to escape the plague raging in London during his reign. Be the first group to enter the Castle and enjoy a delightful tasting of mead - an alcoholic beverage once had by the Vikings!

Admission: NOT_APPLICABLE
2

Centre of English Christianity and home to a succession of 104 Archbishops since Augustine, Canterbury is a magnificent medieval city that’s a must for any history buff. Discover the scene of Archbishop Thomas Becket’s gruesome murder at Canterbury Cathedral in 1170. Learn the intriguing history behind this captivating masterpiece of medieval architecture. Marvel at the cathedral’s spectacular stained glass windows, many of which have survived from the late 12th and early 13th centuries. The Cathedral will still be open but there will be parts that are not open to the public between these dates – The Nave, Chapter House, Martyrdom and western part of the Quire’

Duration: 1 hourAdmission: YES
3

Pass by: Enjoy a scenic stop in Dover and take in views of the iconic White Cliffs of Dover in the distance. Be sure to bring your camera along for great photo ops!

Admission: NOT_APPLICABLE
4

Overlooking the River Thames, Greenwich is a stunning World Heritage site bustling with fine maritime landmarks. See the Old Royal Naval College designed by Sir Christopher Wren, and the world–famous Cutty Sark, a fascinating 19th–century clipper ship.

Duration: 30 minAdmission: NOT_APPLICABLE
5

Pass by: The Cutty Sark is a clipper ship built in the United Kingdom in the 18th century. A tea clipper, the Cutty Sark was built on the River Leven near Dumbarton in Scotland in 1869 for the Jock Willis Shipping Line. It was one of the last and fastest tea clippers ever built, having been built at the end of a long period of design development that had been halted when sailing ships were replaced by steam propulsion.

Admission: NOT_APPLICABLE
6

Pass by: Founded in 1873, The Old Royal Naval College serves as the magnificent centrepiece of Maritime Greenwich, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Greenwich, London, described as having "outstanding universal value" and being the "finest and most dramatically sited architectural and landscape ensemble in the British Isles" by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

Admission: NOT_APPLICABLE
7

Get a fresh perspective on London’s attractions with our River Thames boat ride from Greenwich to Embankment Pier, passing Tower Bridge and stunning St. Paul’s Cathedral along the route. Estimated arrival time back in Embankment Pier, where the tour ends, is around 6.30pm

Duration: 30 minAdmission: YES

Meeting point

Start Location

Unknown location

Important information

Know before you book

  • Confirm the tour departure time and location in advance.
  • Review the cancellation policy to understand any applicable fees.
  • Ensure you have valid identification for entry to certain sites.

Know before you go

  • Wear comfortable walking shoes for the castle and cathedral tours.
  • Bring a camera to capture the picturesque landscapes and historic sites.
  • Check the weather forecast and dress accordingly for the river cruise.

Cancellation policy

Free cancellation up to 1 days before the activity starts

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Accessibility

  • Easy Public Transport
  • Infants Required On Laps

Good to know

  • Please show this e-ticket to gain entry to this tour.
  • From November to March, the boat ride will not operate.
  • Mead tasting is for 18+ only. This will only be included in the tour from 1st April.
  • Infants aged 0-2 can join this tour for free however they must sit on the lap of a parent/guardian. If you would like a seat for your infant, please purchase a child ticket. We do not provide car seats.
  • *During peak periods, vehicles without Wi-Fi may be used.
  • Our vehicles are modern, comfortable and deep cleaned daily.
  • Signature Tour Option: (March - October only) Soak up the amazing vistas on the bus with our premium seating option and a knowledgeable live guide. Plus, enjoy a lunch pack. Once at each location, you can enter Leeds Castle and Canterbury Cathedral, and enjoy a River Thames cruise, giving you a complete and immersive experience.
  • Signature Tour Option: (November - February only) Take advantage of the best views on the bus with our premium seating option and a knowledgeable live guide. Plus, enjoy a lunch pack. You will have access to Leeds Castle and Canterbury Cathedral, where you can admire the famous landmarks.

Traveler reviews

4.4
617 reviews
5
411
4
111
3
43
2
24
1
28

Great experience

A very comfortable and entertaining trip. Our guide Pedro made the trip very enjoyable.

Francisco TJul 1, 2026TRIPADVISOR

Leeds Castle and Canterbury were amazing!

Leeds Castle and Canterbury were amazing. I wish there had been a more scenic stop at Dover but all told it was a good experience. Peter was our guide and was very informative.

ChadR623Jul 1, 2026TRIPADVISOR

Great day away from London!

Oliver and Viorel made a fantastic team and helped make this day trip from London such a memorable experience. We visited so many iconic and historically significant places including Leeds Castle, Canterbury, Dover, and Greenwich, and everything was organized so well. It was an amazing way to see and experience so much in one day, and a great value too.

370clydelJun 22, 2026TRIPADVISOR

Wonderful Journey to Key Spots in Kent

A really enjoyable tour with our bilingual (English/Spanish), knowledgeable, and friendly guide, Apple. We really appreciated the comfortable bus, small tour group, and interesting locations in Kent. The star of the trip for us was the Canterbury Cathedral. Greenwich and the river boat down the Thames was a great conclusion. Our driver, Sokol was also very helpful and did a great job keeping us on track and safe throughout the day. Will be looking for Golden Tours in the future.

amylA1513ITMay 28, 2026TRIPADVISOR

Take a tour of Leeds Castle, Canterbury Cathedral

My guide Oliver and driver John were both very helpful to me as I was not good at English. I had a lot of free time at one place, but compared to other companies that came to the same tourist spot, It was very nice to see how easy it was to control the number of people. Again, thank you, Oliver, and John.

Sunshine27964169529May 24, 2026TRIPADVISOR

Additional information

Please show this e-ticket to gain entry to this tour. *During peak periods, vehicles without Wi-Fi may be used.