Yuletide Festivities - the Cotswolds, Windsor & Bath

Yuletide Festivities - the Cotswolds, Windsor & Bath

2027

Themes

  • Artists

  • Historical

  • Film Locations

  • Festive

Yuletide Festivities - the Cotswolds, Windsor & Bath

2027

Prices From $7,950p/p

Twinkling lights, magnificent palaces dressed for the season and the warm glow of Christmas markets set the scene for this enchanting journey through southern England. From regal castles and historic country estates to festive food, charming shopping experiences and magical winter gardens, this tour captures the timeless elegance and romance of an English Christmas.

Discover Windsor Castle and Hampton Court Palace beautifully decorated for the holidays, browse the famous Christmas Markets of Bath and Oxford and experience the spectacular illuminated trail at Kew Gardens. Along the way, uncover the traditions of Oxford University and the Bodleian Library, enjoy a traditional Sunday lunch in the Cotswolds and visit magnificent estates including Waddesdon Manor, Hughenden Manor and Blenheim Palace, where dazzling seasonal displays and sparkling decorations transform Sir Winston Churchill’s birthplace into a truly unforgettable Christmas wonderland.

Special extras included in your itinerary

  • Enjoy royal history, seasonal treats and shopping at Hampton Court Palace and Festive Fayre
  • Stay at elegant Hartwell House, one of the National Trust's historic hotels and in festive Bath for our yuletide escape
  • See England’s grandest homes with spectacular seasonal decorations and festive displays
  • Visits to Christmas markets and charming towns (Bath, Oxford, Henley-on-Thames and the Cotswolds)
  • Dazzling seasonal displays at Waddesdon Manor, the Neo-Renaissance masterpiece built for the Rothschilds
Day 1
Thursday: Arrival

Upon arrival at Heathrow Airport, a private transfer will take you to the Macdonald Windsor Hotel, Windsor. In the evening, join the group for a welcome drink and canapés, followed by dinner.

Meals: Dinner

Day 2
Friday: Hampton Court Palace & Festive Fayre

The festive season begins in regal style at Hampton Court Palace Festive Fayre, where the historic palace grounds are transformed with traditional wooden chalets, seasonal treats and the sounds of live entertainment. Browse artisan gifts and festive decorations, warm up with mulled wine or roasted chestnuts and soak up the cheerful Christmas atmosphere beside one of England’s grandest royal residences.

There is also time to enjoy a guided tour of Hampton Court Palace itself, once home to Henry VIII and one of the most magnificent Tudor palaces in Europe. Highlights include the vast Great Hall with Anne Boleyn’s falcon badge, the Tudor kitchens and the beautifully decorated historic interiors, while the riverside gardens and grand yew avenues provide a magical winter backdrop.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 3
Saturday: The Roman Baths, Bath Christmas Market & No. 1 Royal Crescent

Elegant Bath provides a wonderfully festive setting today, with its honey-colored Georgian streets and famous Christmas Market creating a magical seasonal atmosphere. We begin with a visit to the Roman Baths, one of the finest historic sites in Britain, where steaming thermal waters still flow through the remarkably preserved ancient bathing complex. An audio-guided visit brings the stories of Roman Bath to life as we explore the Great Bath, Sacred Spring and fascinating ruins of this once-important religious spa.

Afterward, enjoy free time to discover Bath at leisure, perhaps browsing the charming Christmas Market with its traditional chalet-style stalls, seasonal food and handcrafted gifts, or simply soaking up the festive atmosphere of this beautiful UNESCO-listed city. We continue to an iconic address in Bath – No 1 Royal Crescent. Here we enjoy an after-hours curator-led guided tour of this popular Georgian townhouse museum, which was used for the exterior of Lady Featherington’s home in the hit Netflix series Bridgerton. The stunning Georgian interiors dazzle with festive decorations and with a glass of wine accompanied by seasonal canapés, making our visit even more special.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 4
Sunday: Berkeley Castle, Traditional Sunday Lunch & Scenic Cotswolds Drive

A guided tour of Berkeley Castle reveals one of England’s most remarkable medieval fortresses, beautifully decorated for the festive season. Built in the 12th century to guard the Severn Estuary and Welsh border, the castle remains home to the Berkeley family, who can trace their ancestry back to Saxon times. Rich in royal intrigue, Berkeley is also famed as the place where Edward II was imprisoned in 1327.

Later, we enjoy a traditional Sunday lunch at Cowley Manor (or similar venue) before a scenic drive through the rolling landscapes of the Cotswolds. Quaint villages, gentle hills and honey-colored stone scenery combine to create a wonderfully atmospheric afternoon in one of England’s most picturesque regions.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5
Monday: Oxford University, Bodleian Library & Oxford Christmas Market

A guided tour introduces the rich history and traditions of Oxford University, one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in the world. During our visit, we explore the magnificent Bodleian Library, including the famous Duke Humfrey’s Library and the stunning Divinity School, instantly recognisable to many as a filming location from the Harry Potter films. We also discover the Radcliffe Camera reading room, Convocation House and Chancellor’s Court as we uncover centuries of academic heritage and architectural splendour.

Afterwards, enjoy free time to explore Oxford at leisure. You may wish to browse the festive Christmas Market, discover the fascinating Ashmolean Museum or simply soak up the atmosphere of the famous ‘City of Dreaming Spires’.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 6
Tuesday: Waddesdon Manor

Built in the 1870s by Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild, Waddesdon Manor resembles a French château set within the Buckinghamshire countryside. Designed for lavish entertaining, the house showcases one of Britain’s finest collections of French decorative arts, English portraiture and Dutch paintings, while the beautifully landscaped grounds include formal gardens, sculptures and the famous Parterre.

Our guided tour reveals the fascinating story of the Rothschild family and the extraordinary treasures housed within this magnificent National Trust property. Afterward, we return to the hotel for a relaxing afternoon. Perhaps take the opportunity to unwind in the spa or simply enjoy the elegant surroundings of our country house hotel.

This evening, we travel to the Five Arrows Hotel, a Grade II listed building located at the gates of Waddesdon Manor. Adorned with beautiful period features and festive decorations, the hotel provides a warm and inviting atmosphere for tonight's dinner.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7
Wednesday: Christmas at Blenheim Palace

Christmas at Blenheim Palace is a spectacular festive experience, where the magnificent State Rooms are transformed with dazzling decorations, twinkling trees and imaginative seasonal displays inspired by the magic of the season. Birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill and one of England’s greatest stately homes, Blenheim provides a truly enchanting setting for a Christmas celebration.
Beyond the festive interiors, admire the grandeur of Sir John Vanbrugh’s architecture and the sweeping parkland designed by Capability Brown, while seasonal displays and holiday cheer bring extra sparkle to this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Later, we return to Hartwell House for a traditional afternoon tea served in elegant surroundings. The remainder of the day is at leisure, offering the opportunity to relax and enjoy the hotel's exceptional facilities, perhaps taking time to unwind in the spa, explore the grounds or simply soak up the festive atmosphere of this magnificent country house retreat.

Meals: Breakfast, Afternoon Tea, Dinner

Day 8
Thursday: Hughenden Manor, Henley-on-Thames & Greys Court

Our day begins at Hughenden Manor, the much-loved home of Victorian Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli, famously regarded as Queen Victoria’s favourite Prime Minister. Decorated for the festive season, the house offers a fascinating glimpse into both Disraeli’s political life and the manor’s surprizing role in secret map-making operations during the Second World War.
Later, enjoy free time in the elegant riverside town of Henley-on-Thames, famous for its Royal Regatta, boutique shopping streets and welcoming cafés, with time to enjoy lunch at leisure.

This afternoon, we continue to Greys Court, a charming Tudor country house surrounded by historic gardens and rolling Chiltern countryside. Still retaining the atmosphere of a much-loved family home, the house and grounds provide a peaceful and atmospheric conclusion to the day.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 9
Friday: Windsor Castle & Kew Gardens

Windsor Castle is the oldest and largest inhabited castle in the world and an official residence of the British Royal Family. Founded by William the Conqueror in the 11th century, the castle has been home to monarchs for almost 1,000 years. During our audio-guided visit, we explore the magnificent State Apartments, richly decorated for the festive season and filled with treasures from the Royal Collection.

Later, we experience the magical Christmas light trail at Kew Gardens, where illuminated trees, sparkling installations and seasonal color transform the world-famous botanic gardens into a spectacular winter wonderland. As the trail winds through the gardens, festive music, glowing displays and tempting seasonal treats combine to create a truly enchanting evening, which is rounded off with a farewell dinner at our hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 10
Saturday: Departure

After breakfast, check out of the hotel for the journey home.

What’s Included

  • Airport transfers from Heathrow Airport*
  • 4 nights at the Macdonald Windsor Hotel, Windsor
  • 2 nights at the Bailbrook House Hotel, Bath
  • 3 nights at the Hartwell House & Spa, near Aylesbury
  • Welcome drink & canapés at your first hotel
  • Full English/Continental breakfast each day
  • 3-course dinner, usually served table d’hôte style, on 7 nights at the hotels (with after-dinner tea & coffee)
  • Any additional meals as listed in the itinerary
  • Entrances to all excursions as listed in the itinerary
  • Porterage where available
  • Services of a tour manager

*Supplement applies for transfers from all other airports and all other locations, including central London.

Please note: the order of excursions is subject to change and guided tours are subject to restrictions.

Special extras included in your itinerary

  • Enjoy royal history, seasonal treats and shopping at Hampton Court Palace and Festive Fayre
  • Stay at elegant Hartwell House, one of the National Trust's historic hotels and in festive Bath for our yuletide escape
  • See England’s grandest homes with spectacular seasonal decorations and festive displays
  • Visits to Christmas markets and charming towns (Bath, Oxford, Henley-on-Thames and the Cotswolds)
  • Dazzling seasonal displays at Waddesdon Manor, the Neo-Renaissance masterpiece built for the Rothschilds

Nights One, Two, Eight & Nine - 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. Featuring free Wi-Fi and tea and coffee-making facilities, the luxury bedrooms are individually-designed and the hotel also offers a stylish bar and restaurant.

Nights Three & Four - Bailbrook House Hotel, Bath

Bailbrook House Hotel is an elegant country house hotel set within beautifully landscaped grounds on the outskirts of Bath. Combining historic character with modern comfort, the guest rooms are thoughtfully appointed with comfortable furnishings and contemporary amenities. Guests can relax in the stylish lounge and bar areas or enjoy dining in the hotel's welcoming restaurant. Ideally located for exploring Bath, the hotel provides a tranquil retreat while remaining within easy reach of the city's famous attractions, including the Roman Baths, Bath Abbey and the charming Georgian streets that make Bath one of England's most beautiful destinations.

Nights Five to Seven - Hartwell House & Spa, near Aylesbury

This Grade I listed, National Trust-owned property is one of England’s finest stately homes and makes for a wonderful hotel and spa. Sitting within an Area of Natural Beauty; just on the edge of the Chilterns, it boasts almost 100 acres of gardens and parkland, landscaped by the famous Capability Brown. Inside, the hotel offers individually designed bedrooms, complete with fine paintings, antiques and a superb ‘country house’ style of interiors. There is also a wonderful restaurant and relaxing spa (treatments are available at an extra cost).