Leeds Castle & Canterbury Cathedral Tour

A 9-hour guided tour pairing two of Southeast England's most visited attractions. Leeds Castle sits on an island in a man-made lake and includes medieval rooms, grounds, and a hedge maze. You'll also spend time at Canterbury Cathedral, England's most important pilgrimage site. This is a coach-based tour best suited to visitors without cars who want castle and cathedral in one day. Best for castle lovers and photographers. This is a easy activity lasting 9 hours. Group size: 30-50. You meet at Canterbury Christ Church University car park. Key highlights: Leeds Castle island location with lake views, Medieval rooms and historic furnishings, Hedge maze on castle grounds.

Price: £85

Duration: 9 hours

Difficulty: easy

Group size: 30-50

Minimum age: all ages

Best for: castle lovers and photographers

Best time: May–September for best weather and longer daylight. April and October are quieter. Avoid school holidays if you prefer smaller groups.

Meeting point: Canterbury Christ Church University car park

Languages: English

Here is how the experience unfolds:

8:30am Meet at Canterbury Christ Church University car park - Coach boarding; the operator will check names and issue name badges for this large group tour.

8:45am–11:00am Coach journey to Leeds Castle - Drive via the Kent countryside to Maidstone; approximately 45 minutes from Canterbury.

11:00am–2:00pm Leeds Castle exploration - Self-guided tour of the castle interiors, grounds, maze, and lake. Castle admission is included; audio guides available at no extra cost.

2:00pm–3:00pm Lunch break at the castle grounds café - Food and drinks available to purchase; not included in the tour price. Allow 1 hour.

3:00pm–5:00pm Return drive to Canterbury - Coach journey back to Canterbury along A20/M20, approximately 45 minutes.

5:00pm–5:45pm Canterbury Cathedral and High Street - Brief guided walk past the cathedral and through the High Street; cathedral interior visit optional and at own expense.

The whole experience takes 9 hours. Difficulty: easy. You meet at Canterbury Christ Church University car park.

• Leeds Castle island location with lake views
• Medieval rooms and historic furnishings
• Hedge maze on castle grounds
• Canterbury Cathedral exterior and medieval street tour
• Coach transport with professional guide
• Accessibility: Easy fitness level. Castle tour is self-paced with option to skip maze. Wheelchair access available on ground floors and gardens, but upper floors have stairs. Accessible toilets at castle. Coach has limited wheelchair spaces; book in advance if needed.

What is included: Round-trip coach from Canterbury Christ Church, Leeds Castle admission, Professional guide, Guided commentary on all sites.

Not included: Lunch (available to purchase at castle café), Canterbury Cathedral interior entry (£18 extra), Audio guide rental at castle (£2 optional), Gratuities for driver/guide. You will need to arrange these yourself.

What to bring: Comfortable walking shoes for castle grounds, Camera, Hat and sunscreen, Waterproof layer (castle grounds are exposed), Cash or card for lunch purchases. Having these with you makes the experience smoother.

Best time to go: May–September for best weather and longer daylight. April and October are quieter. Avoid school holidays if you prefer smaller groups..

Tip: Castle admission included

Tip: Very popular with tour groups

Accessibility: Easy fitness level. Castle tour is self-paced with option to skip maze. Wheelchair access available on ground floors and gardens, but upper floors have stairs. Accessible toilets at castle. Coach has limited wheelchair spaces; book in advance if needed..

Operator: Evan Evans Tours | Book directly (opens in new tab)

After this activity, these are within easy reach:

• Canterbury Cathedral (3 min from drop-off walk)
• Beaney House of Art and Knowledge (7 min from cathedral walk)
• Canterbury Tales Experience (8 min from cathedral walk)

This activity is run by Evan Evans Tours.

Book directly at their website (opens in new tab).

Cancellation policy: Free cancellation up to 7 days before; £10 cancellation fee 3–7 days before; non-refundable within 72 hours.

Accessibility: Easy fitness level. Castle tour is self-paced with option to skip maze. Wheelchair access available on ground floors and gardens, but upper floors have stairs. Accessible toilets at castle. Coach has limited wheelchair spaces; book in advance if needed..

Best time to go: May–September for best weather and longer daylight. April and October are quieter. Avoid school holidays if you prefer smaller groups..

Is there time to explore the castle maze?

Yes. The castle tour is self-paced over 3 hours, so you have time for the maze (20–30 minutes) plus the rooms, grounds, and lake walk. It's not rushed, but lunch break is outside this window.

Why is this tour group so large?

Evan Evans is a major coach operator running multiple departures daily. Groups of 30–50 are standard for cost efficiency. If you prefer smaller groups, book a private tour with a local operator instead.

Can I enter Canterbury Cathedral with this tour?

The tour includes a guided walk past the cathedral exterior only. Cathedral entry (£18) is optional and must be paid separately. Time is limited due to the 9-hour schedule, so only a quick visit is possible.