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Historical coach journey ends in
Dover

by Graham Tutthill

gtutthill@thekmgroup.co.uk

People had a chance to see what transport was like in the 19th
century on Sunday when a stagecoach, pulled by four horses, arrived
in Dover at the end of a two-day journey from London.

The trip was organised to mark the bicentenary of the birth of
Charles Dickens and the coach and its passengers stopped off at
various locations in Kent connected with the author.

Dickens’ great great grandson Mark Dickens was on board for part
of the journey.

The coach, called Nimrod, was drawn by five teams of horses and
the final change took place at The Bell Inn at Lydden, where the
last set of horses were waiting to be hitched up to the coach to
complete the 88-mile journey into Dover.

With the post horn being sounded along the way, it all made an
impressive sight.

A number of people were outside the Dover Marina Hotel on the
seafront to welcome the coach’s arrival, and to see the “post” -
some commemorative packages - being delivered to those
involved.

Reflecting Dickens’ great concern for the plight of
disadvantaged children, the passengers had made donations to
Barnardo’s in exchange for their place on the coach, and
collections were also made from spectators, and at various public
houses, along the way.