Our Finest Hour: The Battle of Britain

Our Finest Hour: The Battle of Britain

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Our Finest Hour: The Battle of Britain

5 Days Starting in Kent, UK and ending in Dunkirk, France

Visiting: Kent, Runnymede Air Forces Memorial, Biggin Hill, Belgian Coast, Dunkirk

Tour operator:

Leger Holidays

Tour code:

ofh

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Physical rating:

Low

Age range:

0-99

Special diets catered:

Vegetarians

Tour operated in:
English
Trip Styles:

UK tours by Coach

This tour is no longer available

Tour Overview

The Battle of Britain was one of the most iconic episodes of the Second World War. Forced back across the channel by a victorious Nazi war machine, it looked as if Britain would be invaded. But the war moved to the skies above South East England where pilots of many nations fought in what Winston Churchill called ‘Our Finest Hour’.

Highlights

  • Visit the Battle of Britain Memorial at Capel-le-Ferne, seeing the memorials, replica aircraft and visitor’s centre, setting the scene for the tour

  • Visit Battle of Britain Museum at Hawkinge, a former RAF base where much of the 1960s film about the battle was filmed; the museum has many of the aircraft used in the film plus an incredible collection of memorabilia

  • Travel to the Runnymede Memorial in West London. This important memorial to the Missing commemorates over 20,000 service personnel from SOE Agents to Bomber Crew to many of ‘The Few’ who died in the Battle of Britain

Itinerary

Expand All
Day 1 : Arrive In Kent
Location: Kent
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: 4-star Mercure Maidstone Great Danes Hotel or the Hampton by Hilton Ashford International Hotel
Meals Included: Dinner

Regional departure by coach then travel to Kent. We visit the Battle of Britain Memorial at Capel-le-Ferne, seeing the memorials, replica aircraft and visitor’s centre, setting the scene for the tour. We then see one of the few remaining Battle of Britain Luftwaffe graves left in Kent at Lenham before proceeding to our hotel in Maidstone for a two-night stay.

Day 2 : Battle Of Britain
Location: Kent
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: 4-star Mercure Maidstone Great Danes Hotel or the Hampton by Hilton Ashford International Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Today we have a full day looking at the Battle of Britain in Kent. We start at the Battle of Britain Museum at Hawkinge, a former RAF base where much of the 1960s film about the battle was filmed; the museum has many of the aircraft used in the film plus an incredible collection of memorabilia. We then visit RAF graves in the nearby cemetery at Hawkinge and have lunchtime in Canterbury.

In the afternoon we travel across Kent to former RAF Manston where we see the Spitfire and Hurricane Museum, as well as graves in the nearby cemetery.

Day 3 : Runnymede Memorial & Biggin Hill
Location: Runnymede Air Forces Memorial, Kent, Biggin Hill, Belgian Coast
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: 3-star Ibis De Panne
Meals Included: Breakfast

We depart our hotel and travel to the Runnymede Memorial in West London. This important memorial to the Missing commemorates over 20,000 service personnel from SOE Agents to Bomber Crew to many of ‘The Few’ who died in the Battle of Britain. From here we return to Kent and visit Biggin Hill. Known as ‘Biggin on the Bump’ this was an important Battle of Britain airfield and here we have time to see the memorials and the Heritage Centre. We then continue for our crossing to France and onwards to our hotel in De Panne on the Belgian coast.

Day 4 Operation Dynamo
Location: Dunkirk
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: 3-star Ibis De Panne
Meals Included: Breakfast

On our final day we are in France where we link the story of Operation Dynamo, the evacuation at Dunkirk, to the Battle of Britain. We see the evacuation beaches and Dunkirk Mole, Dunkirk War Cemetery and Dunkirk Museum, as well as look at the story of RAF pilots shot down during the Battle of Britain who crashed in the channel or in France.

Day 5 : Return Home
Location: Dunkirk
Meals Included: Breakfast

Return home.

What's Included

  • Accommodation

    As detailed in the itinerary

  • Additional Services

    Travel from a wide range of convenient joining points across the UK is included within your coach holiday price; some carry a supplement. Please contact us for our full list of joining points.

  • Airport Transfers at Destination

    This trip includes coach travel from/to a local UK joining point

  • Fully Guided

  • Meals

    As detailed in the itinerary

  • Transport

    Comfortable, air-conditioned motorcoach

What's Not Included

Accommodation

You will stay for two nights at the 4-star Mercure Maidstone Great Danes Hotel or the Hampton by Hilton Ashford International Hotel. You will then stay for two night at the 3-star Ibis De Panne.

Check out our Q&As

  • Will I know the names and details of all the accommodation before I depart?

    Yes

  • Will there be an escort accompanying this tour?

    Fully escorted by our experienced drivers/crews. And in most towns and cities we either include or offer optional sightseeing tours with expert local guides to help you get the most from your visits.

  • Is there any free time to explore places during the tour?

    As detailed in the itinerary

  • Are all the relevant entry visa’s included in the price of the tour?

    No

  • Is there a supplement for solo travellers?

    Some tours carry a supplement for solo travellers, please ask for details if the Single price is not shown

  • What type of coach will be used?

    You will travel on either our Luxuria Coach or our Silver Service Coach

  • What is the fitness level required to do this tour?

    Low

  • Is the tour coach air conditioned?

    Yes

  • Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?

    Yes

  • Is there a limit to luggage that can be brought on the tour?

    On Leger Coach Holidays, your allowance is one medium sized suitcase per person, which should weigh no more than 20kg when full.

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    40 years

  • Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?

    Sole use of your own room on all Single Traveller holidays: means you still get your privacy and time out from the group.

  • Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?

    Yes

  • Battlefield Tours - Will it be possible to visit a particular cemetery whilst on the tour?

    Please contact us and we will check to see whether you can visit a particular cemetery on any of our Battlefield Tours, if we are not able to fit it into our itinerary then you could take some time out of the tour and do this independently by taxi or public transport.

  • What policies are in place for Covid-19?

    Please contact us for latest Covid-19 policies

Reviews of this Operator

Will (Google Reviewer)  

I went on the 4...

05-Jan-2024

I went on the 4 countries trip and swiss glacier express and overall it was a great trip. The coach I was on was silver service, it was tidy had nice seats and other accessories such as charging points and headsets which was very handy. The drivers Alex and Dave were fantastic, very kind, funny and respectful throughout the whole trip and a pleasure to talk to. The excursions were very pleasant and all ran very smoothly. The hotels were decent and offered a good service. I overall very much recommend leger holidays.

Sally Matson  

Excellent customer service

10-Jan-2023

Booked our ‘Christmas in Austria & Scenic Trains of the Tyrol’ through George on the customer Helpline. Nothing was too much trouble, everything clearly & patiently explained. He even had permission to log in on his day off to finalise the sale! A charming and helpful young person and a credit to the company.

Euan Donald (Google Reviewer)  

Been on two tours now...

10-Oct-2023

Been on two tours now the “D Day beaches” and “ All Quiet on the Western Front” tour of the Somme and Ypres. Both four days in total, two travelling and two on the site of the various battles. This is outstanding value for money, picked up from Carlisle , Cumbria and literally looked after all the way through the tours. The coaches are great and the accommodation spot on . The guides are very knowledgeable ( Mark Hope brilliant guy)and the bus drivers professional . Absolutely fantastic .

Sue Sinfield (Google Reviewer)  

Due to covid it was...

21-Jul-2022

Due to covid it was 3rd time lucky for us to visit lake Garda, what a treat. One or two hiccups but no fault of Legers at all. Praise to Graham and Chris for their excellent driving and coffee service. Our visit to Verona, our guide was very informative but did walk at a pace sometimes had to hurry to keep up. A lovely holiday

Michael Stephen Shilleto   England

Four Countries New Year & the Swiss Glacier Express

07-Jan-2024

Firstly we must thank Alex and Dave our tour guide / drivers who entertained us through out . The tour was fantastic so was the hotel’s food and entertainment. The tour was through the new year holidays as expected lots of shops closed and hotels were understaffed which was lost on some travelers. We travelled back from stop 24 on a luxuria coach I would recommend paying the extra for the comfort alone

Roy Williams (Google Reviewer)  

Great company. We did the...

03-Apr-2024

Great company. We did the 4 day D Day Normandy Landing tour.We had 2 great driver's John and Ian.. Nothing was a problem for them. They kept us safe and entertained.Then we had Fred Greenhow as our guide And he was outstanding. He told us everything we wanted to know. Can't praise them enough Thank you all. We will do more tours with them......

aled blackshaw (Google Reviewer)  

just returned from a solos...

25-Mar-2024

just returned from a solos break to valkenburg and rhine valley i enjoyed the break overall although both journeys were considerably longer than expected due to several picks ups. I could have done without the 3 countries meeting point excursion to be honest and the lunch on rhine cruise was very basic. The drivers/couriers were efficient and good humoured and provided free lunch vouchers on the ferry which were much appreciated. I probably would book another break with leger but to somewhere a lot closer to home.

Andy (Google Reviewer)  

Booked a surprise Birthday treat...

12-Jan-2024

Booked a surprise Birthday treat for my wife 40th to visit The Edinburgh Military Tattoo, All done via work,put all information in the B/card,so excited, one week before trip Cancelled!!! Due to not enough interest?? No Alternative! Never touch them again

Victoria Smith (Google Reviewer)  

I'd like to go lowerthan...

26-Dec-2023

I'd like to go lowerthan one star .my trip over to Italy nearly 36 hours in total.the driver and his wife gave thier mother a seat that was paid for and reserved at a price by another lady who was finally allowed to sit at the front with the drivers mother .( that was good of them considering the lady had paid for 2 holidays and one couldn't make it . I had the cheek to ask for coffee only the women driver to have conversation loud enough for my earshot to her husband then put over the tannoy that coffee will be when they are ready. ( i had bought 24 tickets for drinks on steves advice )but i quietly corrected them saying that they really shouldn't do that so I could hear.Then a barrage of abuse came from her for then her husband to face me off at my seat and a threats to get my case off and find my own way home his face red with rage pointing in my face with comments saying they don't have to take that from me.as they are fed up with people and they have to work 21 hours etc etc .they people were shouting STOP STOP STOP .he continued his rant and saying I would be dropped at the next service station. ( FRANCE) it was raining and I had no idea where I was going or had been.He the gave me a can of diet coke and said i could have it free but no oppology! 15 hours later in italy I wanted to leave and get a plane home .legers were no help but another coach arrived same sort of holiday shearings with nice drivers .No Rome visit and I could be with them for the remainder of time. I did go out on a couple of trips and the bus and drivers were amazing .I was told by legers eventually I can do the return journey with then but my holiday was ruined I cried and slept and am emotionally traumatised . On the plus side the coach i arrived on the doors kept opening in the wind the coach had to pull over and close the door so we could only use side door which was a fire hazzard ! Still no apology last day is today I'm spending in my room .I just want to return to England because I will be getting a solicitor for the abuse i suffered and the money I paid and for the wasted week over Christmas not to mention the anxiety I have suffered .the hotel and food was abysmal. The worse week ever and £1500 spent my nerves are in shreads .I can't wait to see the reviews and already I am flooded with statements from other passengers about how bad it is and my how I should fight for my injustice of it all .this time it must go to court so people are heard and intimidation like this is not allowed

TU  

Many thanks to Molly.

03-Jan-2023

I have recently booked a trip to Le Mans and had the good fortune to speak to Molly. She was very helpful and a pleasure to talk to. She was able to answer all but one of my queries with clarity and promised to ring me with the answer to the un-answered question as it required further investigation. This she duly did. An unusually pleasant experience when making a booking over the phone, if only it could be this easy every the time.

Book with Confidence

  • Low Deposit

    Leger Holidays requires a minimum deposit of 20% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 75 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of leger holidays charges.

    Up to 56 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

    At 55 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.

    At 42 days before tour starts: Forfeit 75% of booking price.

    At 21 days before tour starts: Forfeit 90% of booking price.

    At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.