Would you like to take a voyage of discovery, on a slow boat to a secret castle? Some special river tours have just launched in Kent for the first time.

Once the medieval home of Sir Thomas Whyatt, Allington Castle has been a secret gem in Maidstone's crown for centuries.

Tucked away behind the trees along the River Medway, the 13th century castle standing in 42 acres of Kent countryside, is privately owned and not open to the public.

But now Nick and Linda Kennedy, the owners of the Kentish Lady boat, which cruises along the Medway taking people on scenic waterways tours of the County Town, have launched an exclusive pre-booked tour for groups which take visitors to the very gates of the castle - and inside its doors.

In a fairytale setting, the castle estate has Italian gardens, a lavender walk, parterre garden, courtyard and formal ponds, and is surrounded by a moat and fronted by two lakes.

Not only do the new tours take visitors on a leisurely cruise to the castle, but also gives them the chance to learn about its history inside.

The exclusive guided tour shows visitors Allington Castle’s beautiful gardens, courtyards and impressive Great Hall.

THE TRIP

Departing from the mooring next to the Archbishops’ Palace in Maidstone, the Kentish Lady cruises down river, with commentary, to a private mooring at the castle estate.

There, passengers get off and are met by castle staff to begin their guided tour through the castle grounds.

At the end of the tour, it’s back on board the Kentish Lady to enjoy tea, coffee and cakes, before heading back along the river.

THE HISTORY

Allington Castle was the medieval ancestral home of Sir Thomas Wyatt.

All that remains of the original castle is a section of wall and the kitchen fireplace, built in 1174.

The castle was converted into a mansion house in 1492 when the Wyatt family acquired the property.

It is fully furnished in character with its medieval origins, complete with tapestries, antique furniture and its Great Hall, where Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn dined with Sir Thomas Wyatt around 1530.

Severely damaged by fire in the late 16th century, it lay abandoned until 1905.

It was then bought and partly restored by Sir Martin Conway, before being a convent of the Order of the Carmelites from 1951 to 1999.

Today it is a privately owned but can be hired as a wedding venue and filming location. It is not usually open to the public.

DETAILS

The Kentish Lady boat trip with exclusive visit to Allington Castle is available to book from now through to October on Tuesdays between 1.30pm and 4pm. It is open to groups of 10 and more, and it costs £32.50 per person, to include tea and cake.

To book, go to the website at kentishlady.co.uk, call 01622 753740 or email boattrips@kentishlady.co.uk