Day 140 – Dover, England

Viking Sky sailed back to Dover, England, this morning, past the beautiful white cliffs, and I headed out on an optional excursion, “Vintage Railway & Bodiam Castle.” Since I’m a train buff, this one was a no-brainer for me. This was the description:

Board a vintage train and travel the verdant countryside of Kent to the well-preserved medieval castle of Bodiam. Embark on a scenic drive to the charming town of Tenterden. Admire its broad and shady High Street, lined by quaint Tudor, Regency and Victorian buildings. Board your vintage 19th-century Kent and East Sussex railway carriage and enjoy a cream tea while journeying through the bucolic Rother Valley countryside. At Bodiam, you will disembark for a tour of its famous castle. Bodiam Castle was built in 1385 to protect England’s southern coast from French raiders. Over the centuries, it fell into disrepair, until efforts to preserve and renovate it began in the 19th century. Today, its exterior is almost complete with its battlements and ramparts rising dramatically above the moat below. Take a guided tour through the interior and get an idea of what castle life was like.

After leaving the port of Dover, we drove through Kent County, nicknamed the Garden of England and the county closest to Europe. On the frontline of England’s defense, Kent played a pivotal role in both the First and Second World Wars.

We arrived at the railway station in Tenterton Town with time there to learn about the Kent and East Sussex Railway, the first light passenger railway in Britain. Light railways were equipped with full size trains but had steep gradients and operated at low speed. Passenger trains ran from 1900 until 1954, but today, the railway is a heritage line that is staffed almost entirely by volunteers, and it provides a glimpse into the golden age of rail travel.

Kent and East Sussex Railway

Illustrated Map of Our Route

Signal Boxes Along the Way, Some of Which Were Obscured by the Steam from the Engine

We traveled through ten and a half miles of Wealden countryside in the beautiful Rother Valley, an area of outstanding natural beauty. We passed rolling hills, expansive green fields divided by occasional hedgerows, pastures dotted with cattle and sheep, and an occasional oast house where hops were dried. I was barely able to tear my eyes away from the beautiful views to enjoy the cream tea that we were served.

The Beautiful Countryside that We Saw from the Train

Delicious Tea and Scones

Bodiam Station and Reminders of VE Day

Our destination was Bodiam Castle, a picturesque medieval castle built in 1385. On our walk there, we stopped to observe a two-minute national silence at noon to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day (Victory in Europe Day).

Surrounded by a moat, Bodiam Castle was built as a stronghold, but also a status symbol and home for its original owners. Although I passed on climbing the stone towers, I enjoyed wandering through the ruins of the interior.

Our First View of Bodiam Castle

The Entrance to the Castle

Inside the Castle Walls - My Knight Was Nowhere to be Found

Details of Bodiam Castle

As I was planning to leave, a volunteer guide was anxious to tell me some of the secrets of the castle. He pointed out the unicorn and coats of arms above the entrance and showed me some of the historic graffiti, including ritual protection marks around the entrance that were designed to ward off evil influences. He also showed me the name of a soldier who had been verified as being at the Battle of Hastings.

Coats of Arms, a Unicorn, and Historic Graffiti - The Circles Were the Ritual Protection Marks

After leaving Bodiam, we went on a bit of an adventure as our planned route through the countryside was closed, thus necessitating a diversion. I think our guide was a bit nervous as our driver was forced onto a narrow road where he had never taken a motorcoach. He did an excellent job, however, and once we rejoined the planned road, everyone gave him a round of applause.

As we crossed into East Sussex, a county renowned for its diverse landscapes and rich cultural heritage, we passed beautiful historic buildings, including several half-timbered houses that still had their thatched roofs. Once again, the scenic countryside captured my attention. We learned that the bright yellow fields were rapeseed and that this part of England was now producing fine wines to rival those in Bordeaux.

An Assortment of Historic Houses

The Picturesque English Countryside

Before returning to the ship, we drove through the Romney Marsh, where sheep dominate the landscape. From early medieval times, Romney wool played a significant part in the English woolen industry, the most important export commodity to Europe in the Middle Ages.

Romney Marsh and Sheep

Today’s excursion was excellent and reminded me how much I love driving through the English countryside, as long as I’m not the one behind the wheel!