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More London Day Trips: Exploring Kent with Dr. Alan Montgomery

More London Day Trips: Exploring Kent with Dr. Alan Montgomery


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Can't make this time? A video recording will be sent to all participants after the seminar.

Just a stone’s throw from London, the county of Kent is famous for its rolling hills and fertile soil and has been known for centuries as ‘the garden of England’. Kent is also home to some of England’s best historic towns, while its landscape is dotted with ancient castles and charming churches and bordered by miles of stunning coastline, making it a must-see region for any visitor to Britain. 

In this seminar, we will explore some of the most interesting corners of Kent, visiting locations that are all an easy day trip from London. Highlights include Canterbury, founded by the Romans and now dominated by the spire of its vast Gothic cathedral. Not far away can be found the seaside town of Margate, once a fashionable resort which later fell on hard times but is now re-emerging as a popular destination for art lovers. Further south, ancient ruins at Richborough, including the base of a great triumphal arch, are thought to mark the spot where the Roman invasion of Britain began. Our whistle-stop tour of Kent will end in Dover, which boasts not just one of England’s greatest castles, but also the iconic white cliffs, an enduring symbol of English identity. 

Led by a writer, art historian and Context guide, this seminar will offer a detailed introduction to Kent. Designed to inform curiosity as well as future travels, participants will come away with a better understanding of this rich and varied county and its long history. 

Alan Montgomery was born and raised in Scotland but has spent most of his adult life in London. Having achieved an MA in Art History at Glasgow University, he worked for many years in the art world at both an international auction house and an antique dealer. In recent years he has returned to academia, achieving an MA in Classical Civilisation in 2011, and has recently completed a Ph.D. in which he analyzed eighteenth-century attitudes towards the ancient Roman world. In addition to his work for Context Travel, Alan also writes catalog essays on Contemporary Art for a leading auctioneer. Elected a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland in 2017, his first book, entitled 'Classical Caledonia', was published by Edinburgh University Press in August 2020.

This conversation is suitable for all ages.

90 minutes, including a 30 minute Q&A.

Customer Reviews

Based on 2 reviews
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J
Janet M Cary (Philadelphia, US)
London Day Trips

An enjoyable discussion about places to visit in Kent. Fabulous pictures and ideas for easy manage itineraries. Hope I am able to take advantage of these suggestions in the future.

N
Nancy (Winter Park, US)
Very helpful presentation

I will be traveling to Kent for a few days this summer and Dr. Montgomery’s excellent seminar will now inform my choices for activities and destinations. A wonderful introduction to this beautiful district of England.

Customer Reviews

Based on 2 reviews
100%
(2)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
J
Janet M Cary (Philadelphia, US)
London Day Trips

An enjoyable discussion about places to visit in Kent. Fabulous pictures and ideas for easy manage itineraries. Hope I am able to take advantage of these suggestions in the future.

N
Nancy (Winter Park, US)
Very helpful presentation

I will be traveling to Kent for a few days this summer and Dr. Montgomery’s excellent seminar will now inform my choices for activities and destinations. A wonderful introduction to this beautiful district of England.