In 597ad, Pope Gregory II sent Augustine to convert the pagan Kingdom of Kent to Christianity. King Ethelbert duly converted and Augustine was appointed the first Archbishop of Canterbury. He was given land upon which to build a church now known as Canterbury Cathedral. This magnificent, mostly 15th century gothic construction is the head church of the Church of England and worldwide Anglican Communion. The Cathedral became the destination of many pilgrimages, in particular, to visit the shrine of Thomas Beckett. The most famous pilgrimage was a fictitious one written about by Geoffrey Chaucer in his 14th Century book the Canterbury Tales.The City still retains much of its medieval character including much of theCity Walls.

After lunch, through the county of Kent known as ‘the Garden of England’ to a vineyard and winery. The chalky soil and south facing slopes are ideal for grape growing. Kent has over 2,500 acres of vines accounting for a quarter of Great Britain’s wine production. Most common grape grown is Chardonnay which, when blended with Pinot Meunier and Pinot Noir, creates a fabulous sparkling wine equal to that of sparkling wines produced in the Champagne region of France.