Hafen
Dover

Begin your step back in time as you journey to Ramsgate. Ramsgate was the embarkation point for the 1940 Dunkirk evacuation when 4,200 “Little Ships” left Ramsgate Harbour to rescue men from the Dunkirk beaches during World War II. On a short walking tour (starting at the entrance to Ramsgate Tunnels which sheltered 60,000 people during the war), hear how after these events 42,783 soldiers were transported from Ramsgate railway station, carried by 82 Southern Rail special trains, the second busiest station during the evacuation, next to Dover, which carried over 180,000 men moved by 327 trains. See the “Sundowner” original “Little Ship” and enjoy some free time in Royal Ramsgate Harbour.

Reboard your coach with your experienced Guide setting the scene of East Kent’s “Hellfire Corner” whilst you journey to the Spitfire Museum at RAF Manston. Dating back to the First World War and with its geographical advantage being near the English Channel, Manston was integral in providing air defence and a mounting base for subsequent operations. From September 1939 and the outbreak of the Second World War, Manston was firmly on the front line. Two years later, Manston was one of the departure points for the unsuccessful Operation Market Garden. Manston was also used as an emergency landing field for returning bombers suffering from low fuel or problems with their hydraulic systems. The airfield became something of a "graveyard" for heavy bombers.

From the Spitfire Museum, you will drive to your lunch venue, through the countryside studded with WWII “Pillbox” guard posts.  On your way, you may glimpse the Reculver Towers where Barnes Wallis tested the "bouncing bombs" used by the 617 Squadron ("The Dam Busters").   The "Jackdaw Inn", which featured in the 1969 MGM film, ‘The Battle of Britain’ starring Susannah York and Christopher Plummer will be your lunch venue. The pub itself contains a Spitfire room that has a varied collection of aviation memorabilia and photographs that represent the history of the area during the last 100 years. Enjoy lunch here before commencing your journey to your final destination, Capel-le-Ferne.

Situated high on the White Cliffs, this stirring Memorial to the heroes of the Battle of Britain has become a place of pilgrimage for anyone with an interest in the remarkable story of how the RAF changed the course of World War ll. Let the experience of the Battle come to life with “The Scramble Experience” at Capel-le-Ferne which offers an interactive and immersive experience for all ages giving a taste of what life was like for people during this time. Learn how Airships were moored there during the 1914-18 conflict and how in 1941 construction of a gun battery began before re-boarding your coach for the drive back to your waiting ship.

As you leave the port and drive through the town of Dover, the striking Dover Castle soon comes into view. Perched dramatically atop the iconic White Cliffs, the castle offers breathtaking panoramas over the Strait of Dover. Known as the 'Gateway to England,' the White Cliffs stand tall as an enduring symbol of the nation's strength and resilience. Pause for a quick photo stop, capturing the majestic scene in all its glory.

Continuing through the rolling countryside, arrive at the picturesque town of Deal. As you approach, the formidable Deal Castle commands attention with its well-preserved artillery defences. Once in the heart of Deal, you can choose to take a leisurely stroll along the pier, breathe in the fresh sea air along the seafront, or wander through the historic streets and alleys -famed for their intriguing connection to 18th-century smuggling.

After your visit, re-board your coach for the relaxing drive back to the port.

Located in the beautiful Kent countryside, close to the picturesque market town of Tenterden, discover England’s leading winemaker, the Chapel Down winery, set amongst 22 acres of vineyards, recognised as an ‘Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty’. Supplier to British icons such as Gordon Ramsay and No 10 Downing Street, and the official sparkling wine of the Oxford and Cambridge Boat Races, Chapel Down produces a world-class range of wines from fruit sourced from the South-East of England. These award-winning wines are enjoyed at great institutions such as The Royal Opera House and The London Symphony Orchestra at The Barbican as well as the first English wine to be served at Ascot racecourse.

Get behind the scenes with a private guided tour of the vineyards and winery. Learn about how the region’s iconic chalk soil, famously associated with the white cliffs of Dover, is the same as that of Champagne just 90 miles to the south. Coupled with England’s cool climate, this enables the production of aromatic white wines and elegant light red wines from grapes such as Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc, and Bacchus.

Visit the winery to be led through the winemaking processes and see how the sparkling wines are made according to the traditional method pioneered in Champagne and perfected in England. Your tour culminates in either the Wine Sanctuary or Cellar Door with a tutored tasting of award-winning still and sparkling wines. Be guided through the Systematic Approach to Tasting by your specialist wine-tasting expert whilst sampling an extended selection of 9 wines in this interactive experience.

Afterwards, head to the multi-award-winning Swan restaurant, set in the vineyards of Chapel Down, where you’ll enjoy a two-course lunch made from the finest locally sourced produce from the region's leading producers, with seafood caught locally in Rye and meat from local farmers. Specializing in modern British cuisine, the restaurant has been awarded two AA Rosettes and a Michelin Bib Gourmand where you will enjoy your special gourmet meal.

After lunch, spend some time at leisure to explore the grounds, herb garden or browse the shop. Finally, re-board your coach and drive via Tenterden making a short photo stop to take in the beautiful countryside views before continuing back to Dover.

Depart Dover for a short panoramic drive to the famous city of Canterbury. Here you will enjoy an optional short, guided walk with your experienced Guide who will ensure your needs and requirements. Enjoy free time in this fabulous City before re-joining your Guide and coach to transport you back to your awaiting ship.

Situated on a raised island in the middle of a lake and set on 500 acres of beautiful grounds and parkland, Leeds Castle is the oldest and most romantic castle in England. It was built by the Normans in 1119, and its most famous owner, Henry VIII, was responsible for turning Leeds into a truly royal palace. Enjoy free time at the castle with a private guided tour and explore the beautiful grounds at your leisure before heading off to Canterbury. In this place, made famous by Geoffrey Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales, sits a quintessential medieval city in one of the most attractive corners of rural England. In medieval times, pilgrims flocked to the city to visit the shrine of the Archbishop of Canterbury, Thomas Becket. Upon arrival enjoy a typically English lunch at the Canterbury Cathedral Lodge, before taking a short walk and spend time exploring the magnificent Cathedral, a labyrinth of medieval streets and quaint shops.

With a natural supply of pure water and surrounded by fields that are ideal for growing hops, it is hardly surprising that Faversham is famous for beer and home to Britain's oldest brewer - Shepherd Neame.

Beer has been produced in Faversham for over 850 years and Shepherd Neame Brewery, set in the centre of this historic market town, is now open to visitors who wish to discover more about this proudly independent family company and its wide range of award-winning beers.

Visit Shepherd Neame where your guide will take you through the heart of the brewery, enabling you to see how beer is made from barley to bottle and from hop to hand-pump! En route, you can gaze into the traditional mash tuns where the handcrafting of Kentish Ales such as Spitfire and Bishop's Finger commences. You will also see the modern Millennium Brewhouse - the starting point in the production of the award-winning lagers.

The tour also contrasts historic steam engines with state-of-the-art packaging lines and will give you an insight into the company's 300-year heritage. There's also a tutored tasting giving you the chance to sample some of Shepherd Neame's acclaimed ales and famous lagers. Finally, you can visit the Brewery Shop and pick up a souvenir, gift or some beer!

Following your visit re-board your coach for the return journey to Dover.

Departing from Dover, enjoy the scenic journey through Kent which has earned the name of ‘The Garden of England’ for its outstanding natural beauty.

Arrive at Sissinghurst Castle & Gardens, nestled in the Weald of Kent. The property has been owned and maintained by the National Trust since 1967. The garden was lovingly created by the poet and writer, Vita Sackville-West & Harold Nicholson, her diplomat and author husband in the 1930's. Harold's architectural planning of the garden rooms, and the colourful, abundant planting in the gardens by Vita, reflect the true romance and intimacy of her poems and writings.

Today experience the evolving history of the gardens and the remains of the Castle, it is a true treat to see such a tranquil place that has seen many different periods of history. You can wander through many different themed gardens at a leisurely pace, while inquiring about the many unusual plants and flowers that are growing in such a glorious setting. The garden is a series of some ten separate gardens, all delightfully different. Spectacular walls and hedges separate the gardens, giving you the impression of peace and seclusion. On a sunny day, there is almost nowhere better to be.

Enjoy the well-presented exhibition, which tells you about the Castle’s involvement during the past from the Napoleonic wars, right through to the popular hop-picking era. The Castle itself was developed around the surviving parts of an Elizabethan mansion with a central red-brick prospect tower, which still survives today. The rooms inside these impressive turrets are intimate and romantic in atmosphere, and provide enchanting libraries and include the study, where Vita worked on her famous books.

As Sissinghurst Castle Gardens is one of the world’s most celebrated gardens, it is understandable that they are now very popular, however, the good organisation ensures every Guest can enjoy the gardens at their leisure.

Before returning to Dover, relax in your surroundings and enjoy tea, coffee, and a slice of cake.

Depart Dover and head for Tenterden in the heart of the Kent Countryside.

The idyllic Kentish town of Tenterden epitomizes the quaint and quintessential English village scene that is so famous across the globe. The glory of Tenterden is its broad and leafy High Street charmingly lined by Tudor, Regency, and Victorian buildings and dominated by the town’s magnificent church. Just adjacent to the Vine Inn, Station Road runs down to the railway.

Arrive in Tenterden and admire the quaint architecture, typical of a traditional English village, before boarding your steam train for a very enjoyable journey down the line to Bodiam, all this in a genuine 19th-century railway carriage. During the journey enjoy a Cream Tea served to you at your tables.

Disembark the train at Bodiam where the famous National Trust property, Bodiam Castle is just a short stroll from the restored station. Bodiam Castle was built in 1385, and the exterior is virtually complete with ramparts rising dramatically above the moat below. Join your guide for a tour to discover how enough of the interior survives to give an impression of castle life and there are spiral staircases and battlements to explore. Bodiam is one of the most famous and evocative castles in Britain.

Following your visit of the castle re-board your coach for the return journey to Dover and your awaiting ship.

Set off from your ship on a scenic drive by private motor coach from Dover, where the formidable white cliffs overlook the most crowded shipping lanes in the world, to the stately home of Walmer Castle.  

Perhaps it is the Castle's stunning location beside a dramatic shingle beach, its’ far-reaching views to the sea, its lovely gardens, or its comfortable interiors - more country house than fortress - that have made successive Lords Warden, from Prime Minister to royalty fall in love with Walmer Castle. The late Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, was also a Lord Warden of Walmer Castle and made regular use of this historic castle until she died in 2002.

Visit the Castle and walk through a succession of elegant rooms used by the Queen Mother during her visits, including her drawing room and dining room, all containing fine furniture, paintings, and memorabilia and visit the new garden, designed in 1997 to mark the Queen Mother's 95th birthday.

Next depart Walmer for the medieval town of Sandwich, once the greatest port of England with a flourishing maritime trade. With its winding streets, gateways, churches, and timber-framed houses, Sandwich has many famous associations - including John Montagu, 4th Earl of Sandwich, who invented the "sandwich" in 1762.

On arrival in Sandwich, join your guide for a walking tour to see the principal buildings and areas of interest in amongst the maze of ancient streets in the Old Town, alternatively explore at your leisure before re-joining your coach for the drive back to Dover.

Drive up from the port past Dover Castle – an impenetrable fortress much of which is hidden deep within the chalk of the White Cliffs & beyond to the White Cliffs Visitor Centre.  Here, embark on a 2 mile/3.25km walk on top of the White Cliffs, some of the most famous cliffs in the world, to your destination St. Margaret’s Bay.

Walk past a landmark of the White Cliffs, South Foreland Lighthouse, a Victorian Lighthouse built to warn mariners of the notorious & shifting Goodwin Sands & to guide them through the Strait of Dover.  A place of innovation & science, the lighthouse was the first to display an electric light anywhere in the world. After your photo stop continue your walk to St. Margaret’s Bay

St Margaret’s Bay is such a charming & interesting location that Peter Ustinov, Noel Coward & Ian Fleming, amongst other notable personalities, all had houses there. It is also the point from which Channel swimmers & submarine telephone cables start & the cliff above the Bay is where the sun is supposed to reach the UK first each morning; just to the north end of the Bay is Leathercote Point which marks the western end of the line that defines the divide between the North Sea & the English Channel.

On reaching St. Margaret’s Bay enjoy some free time before re-joining your coach for the short drive back to Dover Cruise Terminal.

Wir freuen uns, dass Sie mit Mein Schiff ® sowohl die landschaftliche Schönheit als auch die faszinierenden Metropolen, romantischen Schlösser und die kulturelle Vielfalt Großbritanniens entdecken möchten. So wie für viele andere Reiseziele gilt auch hier: andere Länder, andere Sitten.

Trotz der Nähe Großbritanniens zu deutschsprachigen Ländern stehen in vielen Häfen nicht genügend deutschsprachige Reiseleiter zur Verfügung. In diesem Fall werden Ausflüge in englischer Sprache durchgeführt. Wann immer möglich, werden auf Englisch durchgeführte Ausflüge von einem deutschsprachigen Mein Schiff ® Ausflugsexperten begleitet, der die wichtigsten Informationen des Reiseleiters sinngemäß ins Deutsche übersetzt.

Für jene Gäste, die Freude an der englischen Sprache haben und Informationen zu Land und Leuten gern in der Landessprache Englisch bekommen möchten, wird in den meisten Häfen ein Ausflug auf Englisch angeboten. Diese Ausflüge führt jeweils ein englischsprachiger örtlicher Reiseleiter durch - auf Übersetzungen ins Deutsche wird dabei bewusst verzichtet.

Obwohl einige Ausflüge bewusst in englischer Sprache angeboten werden, behält sich der örtliche Ausflugsveranstalter vor, auch andere Ausflüge des nachfolgenden Ausflugsprogramms auf Englisch durchzuführen.

Von Dover aus bringt Sie der Bus in den 'Garten Englands'. Die malerisch am Fluss Stour gelegene Stadt Canterbury bietet eine bezaubernde Altstadt, wird aber in erster Linie wegen ihrer Kathedrale besucht und gilt als Wiege des Christentums in England, weil hier die Christianisierung im 6. Jahrhundert ihren Ausgang nahm. In der Kathedrale wartet dann der Schrein des berühmten Erzbischofs Thomas Becket auf Sie.

Der Ausflug, kurz zusammengefasst:

• Ca. 45 Minuten Fahrt nach Canterbury
• Etwa 1,5-stündige Besichtigung der Kathedrale, des Kreuzgangs und der Außenanlagen
• Ungeführte Innenbesichtigung der Kathedrale (außer bei Veranstaltungen)
• Rund 1 Stunde Freizeit

Einsteigen und auf eigene Faust entdecken.
Erkunden Sie die Sehenswürdigkeiten und Aktivitäten der Stadt individuell und in Ihrem eigenen Tempo. Steigen Sie ein und aus, so viel Sie möchten und an jeder günstig gelegenen Haltestelle in der Stadt. Genießen Sie einen unvergesslichen Tag und lassen Sie sich treiben.

Eine der berühmtesten Festungsanlagen der Welt: Der Tower wurde 1078 unter Wilhelm dem Eroberer erbaut und diente als Palast, Gefängnis, Schatzkammer, Waffenkammer und sogar als Zoo! Heute beherbergt der Tower die unbezahlbaren Kronjuwelen. Genießen Sie zudem eine Sightseeing-Tour durch eine der größten Städte der Welt, die Hauptstadt des Vereinigten Königreichs.

Der Ausflug, kurz zusammengefasst:

• Ca. 2,5-stündige Fahrt von Dover ins Zentrum von London
• Rund 1,5 Stunden Buspanoramafahrt mit Fotostopps, vorbei am Westminster, Houses of Parliament und St. Paul's Cathedral
• Unterwegs etwa 1,5 Stunden Freizeit für eigene Entdeckungen, zum Shoppen oder für ein Mittagessen in Eigenregie
• Etwa 2 Stunden Besuch des Towers of London inkludiert

Erleben Sie eine Fahrt durch die wunderschöne Grafschaft Kent, die den Spitznamen "Garten Englands" trägt, und besuchen Sie Leeds Castle. Dieses uralte Märchenschloss war Heimat von sechs englischen Königinnen und eleganter Rückzugsort für einflussreiche und berühmte Persönlichkeiten. Leeds Castle liegt auf 2 Inseln in einem See und wird von herrlichen Park- und Gartenanlagen umgeben. Freuen Sie Sich auf einen Rundgang durch die Wohnräume und den Park.

Der Ausflug, kurz zusammengefasst:

• Etwa 1-stündige Fahrt zum Leeds Castle
• Ca. 2 Stunden Freizeit am Schloss und in den großzügigen Gartenanlagen
• Rückfahrt durch Lenham, Ashford und am Dover Castle vorbei

London ist eine faszinierende und lebendige Metropole, in der es so viel zu sehen und zu tun gibt, dass man ihr mindestens einmal im Leben einen Besuch abstatten sollte. Dieser Ausflug ermöglicht es Ihnen, sich einen guten Gesamteindruck über die Stadt zu verschaffen.

Der Ausflug, kurz zusammengefasst:

• Gut 2-stündige Busfahrt von Dover nach London
• Panoramafahrt durch die Weltmetropole mit Fotostopps (wenn der Verkehr es zulässt) am Parliament Square und Tower of London
• Zwischendurch ca. 1,5 Stunden Zeit zur freien Verfügung im Zentrum für ein Mittagessen in Eigenregie

Rye ist ein blühender Marktflecken, der hauptsächlich von der Fischerei und der Töpferei lebt. Mit seinen verwinkelten, kopfsteingepflasterten Gassen und den schmucken Fachwerkhäusern repräsentiert es die perfekte Kleinstadtidylle schlechthin und zählt zu den schönsten Dörfern Großbritanniens. Genießen Sie auch die Fahrt dorthin durch die ländliche Gegend von Sussex mit ihren kleinen Weilern inmitten grünen Weidelandes.

Der Ausflug, kurz zusammengefasst:

• Ca. 1 Stunde Busfahrt nach Rye
• Gut 1,5 Stunden Aufenthalt mit Besuch des Rye Heritage Centre samt dem liebevoll gestalteten alten Stadtmodell
• Rückfahrt über das Örtchen Tenterden

Erleben Sie den romantischen Charme von Sandwich, das als "die vollständigste mittelalterliche Siedlung Englands" beschrieben wird und sogar bis auf die Römerzeit zurückgeführt werden kann. Bei einem Rundgang zeigt man Ihnen, dass der Ort voller versteckter Schätze ist. Walmer Castle, ursprünglich als Festung angelegt, hat sich im Laufe der Jahrhunderte zu einer eleganten Residenz gemausert, die heute zahlreiche Erinnerungsstücke an den Duke of Wellington birgt. Die herrlichen Gärten des Hauses werden Sie ebenfalls begeistern.

Der Ausflug, kurz zusammengefasst:

• Rund halbstündige Busfahrt nach Sandwich
• Kurzer geführter Stadtspaziergang und Freizeit
• Weiterfahrt nach Walmer Castle
• Ca. 1,5 Stunden Besichtigung von Walmer Castle und Gärten

Sie unternehmen eine Wanderung entlang der weltberühmten Klippen, erleben und genießen die wunderschöne und zugleich auch geschichtsträchtige Landschaft in ihrer vollen Pracht. Die weißen Kreidefelsen von Dover blicken majestätisch auf den Ärmelkanal und bieten einen fantastischen Ausblick über das Meer - bei guter Sicht sogar bis hin zur gegenüberliegenden französischen Küste.

Der Ausflug, kurz zusammengefasst:

• Etwa 15-minütiger Bustransfer
• Rund 3,5 Stunden Wanderung Wanderroute entlang der White Cliffs
• Fotostopps in St. Margarets Bay, bei den Kreidefelsen von Dover und bei dem South Foreland Leuchtturm
• Ca. 15-minütige Busfahrt zurück zum Schiff