Charles Dickens
Chatham - copywright_jamesbrittain
Charles Dickens
The Foundling Museum copywright Archard
GADS HILL DICKEN'S HOUSE
Rochester
The Foundling Museum exterior copyright - Archard
The Leather Bottle
Rochester
Guided visit of Chatham Historic Dockyard where Dicken’s father worked, and he grew up
Visit Restoration house, the inspiration for Miss Havisham’s House
Guided tour of the Foundling Museum that inspired a number of his works
Enjoy a one man show by Gerald Dickens, the great great grandson of Charles Dickens
Charles Dickens is one of the most famous Victorian writers and is perhaps as famous today as he was when he was alive. His novels and characters have truly lived on becoming immortalised in reprints, film and television. This tour, in the company of Jane Tapley, will explore the life and inspirations of the man who wrote such literary delights as Oliver Twist, Nicholas Nickleby and Great Expectations (to name a few!). A highlight of the tour includes a one man show by Gerald Dickens, the great grandson of Charles Dickens.
Available Departures |
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| 29 - August - 2024 | £ 729.00 | Travel Info Book Now |
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Provisional Timings |
Day 1: Arrive independently at the Doubletree by Hilton Dartford Bridge from 15.00. This evening there will be a welcome drink and talk by tour manager Jane Tapley ‘What the Dickens’ before dinner with wine at the hotel.
Day 2: Chatham, Gads Hill and Rochester
This morning depart the hotel and transfer by coach to Chatham where Charles Dickens spent his childhood and his father, a navy clerk worked at the dockyard. After a panoramic guided tour of the Historic Dockyard there will be free time to explore it on foot. From here we will drive by Gads Hill, for an external view, where Dickens lived with his children and housekeeper. Lunch (included) will be at the Leather Bottle in Cobham, which features in the Pickwick Papers and was a drinking haunt of Dickens. After lunch, travel to Rochester where we will visit Restoration House which inspired Miss Havisham’s House in Great Expectations. After a free flow visit here you will have some free time in Rochester. This evening there will be a wonderful one man show ‘Mr Dickens is Coming!’ performed by Gerald Dickens, the great great grandson of Charles Dickens. After the performance Gerald will have time for a short Q&A before dinner.
Day 3: Dickens Museum and Foundling Museum
Today there will be a free flow visit of the Dickens Museum, which is housed in Dicken’s London home (1837-1839) where he wrote The Pickwick Papers, Nicholas Nickleby and Oliver Twist. Explore the museum that shows what life was like for a middle-class family and learn about how the author was a strong advocate for the poor and working class. There will be free time for lunch (not included) before visiting the Foundling Museum. There will be a guided tour explaining the history of the Foundling Hospital and how Dickens was a great supporter of their work and how it inspired such works as Oliver Twist. Return to the hotel for approx. 18:00.
NB: Exact order of itinerary may vary according to local conditions and tour manager's discretion
Please note: Post tour extra nights are available at a supplement
Please note the maximum group size on this tour is 35 passengers.
INCLUDED
NOT INCLUDED
Doubletree by Hilton Dartford Bridge
The four star, modern, Doubletree by Hilton Dartford Bridge is well located for exploring in and out of London. The hotel features an indoor pool, gym, restaurant, and bar. The newly refurbished bedrooms are modern and bright featuring all the usual amenities including hairdryer, tea/coffee making facilities and Wi-Fi.
Car Parking is available at the hotel costing £7.50 per night. Payable directly to the hotel.
Please note that all our UK tours start and finish at the relevant hotel.
You can normally check in from 3pm onwards but hotels will always be happy to store your luggage if you arrive earlier in the day.
For full details of how to get to the hotel, directions and the nearest train station, please click on the hotel website or call our office for details. These will also be sent automatically with your confirmation.
The welcome reception and first evening dinner / talk will commence at about 6pm - full details will be sent with your joining instructions about 10 days prior to the arrival date.
A very enjoyable couple of days. Evening lectures very good, Gerald Dickens performance an outstanding experience, made the trip worthwhile on its own. A few comments (NOT CRITICISMS) as this was first Dickens tour. Chatham only marginally Dickens, more time needed for Rochester with strong Dickins connection. Also perhaps more in Kent, more time at Cobham to see more of Leather Bottle and church. Our local guide in Rochester was very good and we enjoyed walking tour. Perhaps a bit more commentary on the way to London, ie we passed close to site of Marshallsea prison. Our guide in Foundling museum also very good. Saturday was best day for London trip, London is much quieter and visitor friendly on Saturdays, also journey in quite easy. Hotel was ok but Dartford Bridge a real traffic black spot at almost all times, another in the area (eg Bexley) would be a betterbase. But thanks to Jane for an interesting and enjoyable tour.
Review by Calder who travelled 31-August-2023
As a new trip it went well. A lot of credit goes to our guide Jane Tapley who resolved any issues that did arise with professional skill and good communication. The accommodation was good but the food was lacking being all buffet service and not up to the 4 star rating in quality. The highlight of the tour was the show given by Gerald Dickens highly entertaining and provided an insight into the development of the characters and events within the Charles Dickens novels. A "gold star" to the person who came up with that idea. As an aside, I would mention for a bit to eat after our tour of the Museum at 48 Doughty St, eight of the party found the Lamb Pub at 94 Conduit Street. (5 Minutes walk) It is a Victorian pub, no music or screens. Good homemade food, with friendly service.
Review by Pratt who travelled 31-August-2023
Very much enjoyed the whole experience. Each venue visited was so interesting. Thank you
Review by Pope who travelled 31-August-2023
Excellent well balanced tour. I really enjoyed it.
Review by Anonymous who travelled 31-August-2023
An excellent tour that offered all it promised and for me several family connections that made it all the more exciting. Jane Tapley was a delightful guide…. Knowledgeable, interesting, easy to listen to and very amusing! We understood it was a new tour and all agreed that timings needed to be adjusted….. but we were more than happy to be the ‘Guinea Pigs’ and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. Thank You and we will definitely be going with you again.
Review by Bradbrooke who travelled 31-August-2023
