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Historical
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Royal Connections
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Gardening
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NTHP
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The Royal Oak Foundation
Christmastime in the Charming Cotswolds & Chilterns
With sleepy villages dotted throughout rolling hills, honey-hued buildings embellished with fairy lights, roaring fires in cozy pubs and sparkling trees adorning picture-perfect towns, the Cotswolds is a magical place to spend the run-up to the holidays. Our memorable tour meanders through a stunning cluster of Cotswolds favorites to the southern tip of this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the UNESCO World Heritage city of Bath, where the delightful Christmas Market and twinkling Georgian streets await. We also weave our way across the lovely landscapes of another AONB, the Chilterns, to explore the stunning Tudor mansion of Grey’s Court and château inspired Waddesdon Manor, both sumptuously dressed for a classic country house Christmas. We enjoy plenty more seasonal delights, from the enchanting illuminations trail at Kew Gardens to a Victorian-style carol singing performance in celebration of enduring yuletide traditions.
Special extras included in your itinerary
• Audio-guided tour of Windsor Castle
• Scenic drive through the Cotswolds
• Afternoon tea at Hartwell House
• Festive lunch* at the Five Arrows, Waddesdon Estate
• Private carol singing performance at the Macdonald Windsor Hotel
On arrival at Heathrow Airport airport, a private transfer will take you to the Macdonald Windsor Hotel, where we stay for the next two nights. In the evening, join the group for a welcome drink, followed by dinner.
Meals: Dinner
We start our day with a visit to Windsor Castle, the oldest and largest inhabited castle in the world and the final resting place of Elizabeth II. Established in the 11th century by William the Conqueror, it has been remodeled by successive kings and queens and is regularly used for ceremonial and state occasions. The magnificent State Apartments are furnished with some of the finest works of art for you to admire, beautifully decorated at this time of year. We find out more of the castle’s history on our audio-guided tour.
Later, a festive treat awaits us at the world-famous Kew Gardens, where the iconic architecture and tree canopies are brought to life, enriched with Christmas color and sparkling with seasonal decorations. Discover an enchanting festive trail of lights that winds its way through the botanic gardens, before enjoying some tasty treats from one of the many enticing stalls.
This evening we enjoy a late dinner at a local restaurant.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
After checking out of the hotel we head to Bath, an elegant Regency city graced with wonderfully well-preserved Georgian architecture. Nestled among the picturesque streets is our first stop, Bath Assembly Rooms*, once the hub of the Georgian social calendar and the recognizable backdrop of the lavish Ballroom scenes from the popular TV series Bridgerton. Designed by John Wood the Younger and finished in 1771, they provided a place for polite society (including Jane Austen, Charles Dickens and Thomas Gainsborough) to enjoy concerts, teas, balls and gambling.
*Bath Assembly Rooms are currently undergoing restoration. If not complete, we take a guided walking tour of Bath.
We then explore the enchanting Bath Christmas Market, bursting with traditional chalet-style stalls selling a variety of handmade items. Whether you’d like to start your Christmas shopping early, treat yourself to a tempting seasonal offering or simply browse the high-quality Christmas gifts, homewares, jewelry and more, there’s plenty to get you into the festive spirit.
Later we check into the Queens Hotel Cheltenham – MGallery, where we stay overnight.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Leaving Regency Cheltenham, we take a scenic drive through the Cotswolds, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty where quintessentially English villages are peppered throughout rolling hills. We first stop in picturesque Lechlade to visit the unique Cotswold Christmas Shop, established in 1985 but open all year round for lovers of charming ornaments and decorations.
Our other stops include famous Bibury and Bourton-on-the-Water, where you can expect a lovely mix of honey-hued buildings, cozy traditional pubs, independent boutiques, tempting cafés and some of the area’s most iconic landscapes.
We end the day with a festive afternoon tea at Hartwell House, one of the National Trust’s Historic House Hotels, where we also stay for the next two nights.
Meals: Breakfast, Afternoon Tea
This morning we make a brief stop in Henley-on-Thames, one of the most picturesque towns in the country and set on the River Thames against the idyllic backdrop of the Chiltern Hills. It’s a lovely spot for a riverside stroll, and there are also plenty of historic buildings to admire.
We continue to Greys Court, a filming location of the hugely popular Downton Abbey TV series and films. Set in the rolling hills of the Chilterns, this picturesque Tudor mansion has a rich patchwork of styles, including 18th-century additions and 20th-century interiors. The house is still furnished as an intimate family home, having been occupied until 2003, and is beautifully decorated during the countdown to Christmas.
Our last visit today is Blenheim Palace, set in over 2,000 acres of beautiful parkland landscaped by ‘Capability’ Brown. As the seat of the Dukes of Marlborough, the palace is synonymous with the Churchill family and is the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill. A permanent exhibition commemorates the life of this famous wartime Prime Minister, whilst the magnificent State Rooms are sumptuously dressed for Christmas and reveal a superb collection of tapestries, paintings, porcelain and furniture. In the courtyard outside, there are plenty of tempting goodies on offer at the enchanting Christmas Market.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Checking out of the hotel, we head to Waddesdon Manor, built by the wealthy Rothschild family in the style of a Renaissance château and filled with royal treasures. We have time to explore the interiors, given an extra sparkle around Christmas with lavish festive decorations, before enjoying a private festive lunch at the Five Arrows, located at the gates of the manor.
Afterward, we check back into the Macdonald Windsor Hotel where we toast the festive season with a farewell dinner this evening and enjoy a private, Victorian-style carol singing performance, highlighting some of the traditions and customs during this special time of year.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
A private transfer will take you back to Heathrow Airport for your return flight home.
Meals: Breakfast
Please note: the order of excursions is subject to change and guided tours are subject to restrictions.
What’s Included
• Return airport transfers from London Heathrow*
• 3 nights at the Macdonald Windsor Hotel
• 1 night at the Queens Hotel Cheltenham – MGallery
• 2 nights at Hartwell House & Spa
• Welcome drink and canapés
• Full English/Continental breakfast each day
• 3-course table d’hôte dinner on 4 nights at the hotels (with after-dinner tea and coffee)
• 1 dinner at a local restaurant
• Services of a tour director throughout your stay
• Travel to and from all excursions
• All excursion costs
• Porterage where available
*supplement applies for transfers from all other airports and all other locations, including central London
Special extras included in your itinerary
• Audio-guided tour of Windsor Castle
• Scenic drive through the Cotswolds
• Afternoon tea at Hartwell House
• Festive lunch* at the Five Arrows, Waddesdon Estate
• Private carol singing performance at the Macdonald Windsor Hotel
*Please inform us at the time of booking of any special dietary requirements.
Nights One, Two and Six – Macdonald Windsor Hotel, Windsor
The Macdonald Windsor Hotel is situated in the heart of the historic town of Windsor, opposite the famous Windsor Castle. The classic interiors, with a contemporary edge, fit perfectly with the Georgian elegance of this townhouse hotel. The luxury bedrooms are individually-designed and the hotel also offers a stylish bar and restaurant.
Night Three – Queens Hotel Cheltenham – MGallery, Cheltenham
Steeped in history, the Queens Hotel boasts a lavish Palladian-style exterior, coupled with Greek and Roman influences. Sitting pretty on one of the most picturesque Regency streets in Cheltenham, the hotel overlooks a nearby square and manicured garden, while the classically-elegant bedrooms provide a relaxing oasis at this Cotswold retreat.
Nights Four and Five – Hartwell House & Spa, near Aylesbury
Set in over 90 acres of gardens and parkland, Hartwell House & Spa in Buckinghamshire is a wonderful stately home that was donated to the National Trust and is now run as a luxury hotel. The estate’s history stretches back nearly a thousand years while the house itself dates from the 17th century. In the early 19th century the exiled king, Louis XVIII, held court here and, more recently, Bill Clinton addressed the American people from Hartwell’s library.
