From Julius Caesar’s landings to Napoleon’s thwarted ambitions and Hitler’s unfulfilled Operation Sea Lion, Kent has always stood as Britain’s front line. Over this immersive winter weekend you will explore the history of invasions, successful or otherwise, through expert-led site visits, engaging talks, and convivial evenings in the company of fellow enthusiasts.

The Cultural Experience Winter Weekend is as much about learning as it is about travelling. Across the three days you will attend a programme of illustrated lectures from our team of expert historians, gaining unique perspectives on themes from Roman conquest to the Second World War. These talks are complemented by guided visits to Pegwell Bay, Richborough, Canterbury, the Royal Military Canal, and the defences of Operation Sealion. Alongside the formal sessions you will enjoy meals, discussions, and entertainment in a relaxed and sociable atmosphere. As an added benefit, all attendees will receive a special discount redeemable against any 2026 Cultural Experience tour departure.

Talks from Our Expert Historians

Central to the Winter Weekend is the chance to hear directly from our expert historians. Across the three days, you will attend a series of illustrated talks covering themes from Roman conquest through to the Second World War. Delivered in an accessible and engaging style, these presentations will complement our programme of visits, and allow plenty of opportunity for questions and discussion.

The Mini Tours

Alongside the talks, you will enjoy a programme of guided visits to some of Kent’s most significant historical sites. Each participant will be able to experience all four excursions across the Saturday and Sunday, travelling by private coach and accompanied by our team of specialists. These tours bring to life the landscapes, structures, and stories discussed in the lectures, ensuring a fully rounded weekend of learning and exploration.

• Pegwell Bay and Richborough Roman Fort with Tony Wilmott

Stand where Julius Caesar’s legions first landed in 55 BC at Pegwell Bay, the dramatic gateway to the Roman conquest of Britain. From here we continue to Richborough, where the Romans consolidated their power with a mighty fort and amphitheatre. Your guide, Tony Wilmott, Senior Archaeologist with Historic England, is one of the UK’s leading authorities on Roman Britain and has published widely on the subject. His expertise offers a vivid perspective on how the Romans secured and reshaped this corner of Kent.

• Medieval Canterbury with Imogen Corrigan

Discover Canterbury’s medieval heart on a walking tour led by Imogen Corrigan, a former British Army major who is now a highly regarded lecturer and author on Anglo-Saxon and medieval history. Wander through timber-framed streets, city walls, and the cathedral precincts as Imogen reveals the city’s role as a centre of pilgrimage, devotion, and political power. Her engaging style makes the medieval past both accessible and memorable.

• The Royal Military Canal and Martello Towers with Major Gordon Corrigan MBE FRHistS

Explore the Napoleonic defences of the Kent coast, where the Royal Military Canal and squat Martello Towers were built to repel an invasion that never came. This ambitious feat of engineering remains a striking reminder of Britain’s vulnerability and determination during the early nineteenth century. Your guide, Major Gordon Corrigan MBE FRHistS, is a distinguished military historian, author, and broadcaster with an engaging style that makes strategy and tactics come alive.

• Operation Sea Lion with Colonel Bob Kershaw

Step into the fraught summer of 1940 when Hitler’s invasion of Britain seemed imminent. Visit the defences constructed to repel German landings and learn how Britain prepared to meet the challenge. Colonel Bob Kershaw, a former British Army officer and acclaimed military historian, specialises in the Second World War and is particularly known for presenting events from both Allied and German perspectives. His authoritative analysis and dynamic storytelling bring to life the tense months when Britain’s fate hung in the balance.

 Day 1: Friday 30 January: Arrival and Welcome 

• 3:00pm: Arrivals with coffee and cake
• 4:00pm: Welcome talks and first expert lecture
• 6:00pm: Welcome dinner

Day 2: Saturday 31 January - Excursions and Gala Dinner

• 8:30am: Depart by private coach for two expert-led visits
• Lunch: Cold finger buffet with lectures from our historians
• Afternoon: Continue with the second activity
• Evening: Gala dinner with entertainment and surprises

Day 3: Sunday 1 February - Final Explorations

• 8:30am: Depart for the remaining two guided visits
• Late morning: Final lectures and reflections
• Lunch: Hot buffet before departures