Christmas in England 2026

Arrive London Gatwick Airport at 9:45am. 

Meet your guide, Stewart and board the coach. We make our way to Windsor Castle where a Blue Badge Guide will meet us.

Christmas at Windsor Castle begins today and we will be amongst the first to see the magnificent decorations including a 20-foot Nordmann fir tree grown in Windsor Great Park. The tree will be decorated with over 3,000 sparkling lights and shimmering ornaments. 

Another giant sparkling Christmas tree will be found in the Crimson Drawing Room – one of the Semi-State Rooms only open during the winter. 

We will also see Queen Mary’s Doll’s House, with Christmas decorations added to the tiny rooms. It is a 1:12 scale replica of an Edwardian residence gifted from the nation to Queen Mary, consort of King George V.

We enter St George’s Chapel, where Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip were laid to rest.

In the afternoon we will make our way to voco Winchester Hotel & Spa and settle in for a 2-nights stay. Group welcome dinner at hotel. (D)

Accommodation: voco Winchester Hotel & Spa or similar

Breakfast. Today we explore the historic cathedral city of Winchester.

We will enjoy a guided walking tour of Winchester today. 

On our orientation, we will see the 12th century Historic Gate into Winchester. This gate served as the entrance to the city and was modified in the 13th and 14th centuries. The walk will also show how warm mulled wine is made. We will finish our walking tour at a pub.  

Plenty of time today as well to discover Winchester Cathedral Christmas Market – one of the best in Europe for it’s handpicked high quality exhibitors. The pretty wooden chalets inspired by traditional German Christmas markets. 

We will meet back up at the hotel for dinner. (B, D)

Accommodation: voco Winchester Hotel & Spa or similar

After breakfast we check out hotel. 

We make our way to Bombay Sapphire Distillery. Here we will tour the distillery and learn the recipe which includes 10 botanicals. The spirit is triple distilled using a carterhead still, and the alcohol vapours are passed through a mesh/basket containing the ten botanicals, in order to gain flavour and aroma. Discover your next beverage to serve at your Christmas party!

We will have lunch together. 

The afternoon brings us to Avebury Wiltshire. Our guide, Mike, will show us the village along with the stone circle, one of the greatest marvels of prehistoric Britain.

We then travel onwards to Bath and check into Hotel Indigo for a 2-nights stay. Group dinner at hotel. (B, L, D)

Accommodation: Hotel Indigo Bath or similar

Leisurely breakfast. Today we spend the day in Bath, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

We meet our guide in the morning for a walking tour. Much of the gentility and sophistication created in the Georgian era is still evident in the city that has long catered for the treatment of the sick. The Romans transformed a sacred Celtic site with gushing hot springs into an international attraction graced by temple and bathing complexes. Many vestiges of those buildings have been excavated; others still lie beneath the streets of the modern city. Bath is unsurpassed. The ordered elegance of the baths, public buildings, squares, terraces, circuses and crescents on the hills above the original town and on the river plain is one of Europe’s consummate architectural experiences.

Our city tour ends at Bath Christmas Market. Rest of day yours to explore, shop, taste festive foods and hear merry music. You will find artisan products in the beautifully decorated stalls at the Christmas Market. (B)

Accommodation: Hotel Indigo Bath or similar

After breakfast we check out hotel. 

Our first stop today is Tetbury. We will go shopping at Highgrove Christmas Shop. Here you will find luxury products inspired by the Gardens at Highgrove – managed by King Charles III. This is also a great place to pick up Christmas cards! 

For lunch we will go to The Old Spot at Daylesford Farm, nestled in the rolling hills of the Cotswolds. The venue has been awarded a Michelin Green Star (recognizing sustainability).

We continue to The Lygon Arms in Broadway and check in for a 2-nights stay. Group dinner tonight. (B, L, D)

Accommodation: The Lygon Arms or similar

Breakfast.

Today we enjoy the day at Blenheim Palace! Christmas at Blenheim Palace is spectacular! 

The theme this year is the story of Cinderella, lovingly brought to life inside the Palace. Be welcomed by a towering Christmas Tree. Each State Room tells a different chapter of the fairytale story – and of course, don’t miss the pumpkin carriage! 

Walk The Illuminated Trail with more than a million lights and perhaps meet Father Christmas himself! 

Discover The Christmas Market at Blenheim Palace, The Great Court transformed info a seasonal village of wooden chalets. 

We will have a luxurious ‘Happy Ever Afternoon Tea’ in the lavish Orangery Restaurant – savory delights and fresh baked scones followed by sweet treats.  

After our Christmas at Blenheim Palace, we make our way back to the hotel for group dinner. 

(B, T, D)

Accommodation: The Lygon Arms or similar

Breakfast. Check out hotel. 

We leave Broadway and go to London. 

To capture the spirit of Christmas, we will enjoy an afternoon matinee travelling back in time to Charles Dickens’ house and witness the moment “A Christmas Carol” was born. Victorian feasting, live music and spellbinding theatre! The Great Christmas Feast will have you as Dickens’ guest of honor. 

After the performance, we make our way to The Montague on the Gardens Hotel for a 2-nights stay. Evening at leisure. (B, L)

Accommodation: The Montague on the Gardens or similar 

After breakfast, our Blue Badge Guide will meet us in reception. 

Your introduction to Charles Dickens London begins at his London home in Doughty Street where the very fine Dickens Museum is now established. This is where the author wrote Oliver Twist, Pickwick Papers and Nicholas Nickleby. It’s where he first achieved international fame as one of the world’s greatest storytellers. Uncover the private world behind the author’s public image.

For lunch we will go to Charles Dicken’s favorite pub; Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese. So duck beneath its low beamed ceilings, bagsy the table to the right of the restaurantʼs fireplace (his spot of preference, they say), and get stuck into ‘a good plain dinner and good wineʼ like youʼre Sydney Carton from A Tale of Two Cities. Donʼt forget to pay your respects to Polly the legendary stuffed parrot on the way out.

The afternoon and evening are yours to explore London independently. (B, L)

Accommodation: The Montague on the Gardens or similar 

Hearty breakfast. Check out hotel. 

Today we go to Canterbury. On the way we stop in Rochester Town. We will be joined by a Blue Badge Guide who will share Rochester (a favorite of Charles Dickens) with us. The Diocese of Rochester, the second oldest in England, is based at Rochester Cathedral and was responsible for the founding of a school, now The King’s School in 604 AD.

Our afternoon continues to celebrate a Happy Christmas at the Dickensian Christmas Festival. Rochester glows with the sights and sounds of a Victorian Christmas. This includes carol singers, bell ringers, costumed parades and street theatre with Dickens characters. Join in singing your favorite carols! 

We check into the ABode Canterbury Hotel for a 2-nights stay. Dinner together tonight. (B, D)

Accommodation: ABode Canterbury or similar 

Breakfast. We spend the day in Canterbury. 

Tick off your shopping list at Canterbury Christmas Market. Canterbury is one of the largest Christmas Markets in the South East and the largest in Kent with about 120 huts! Immerse yourself in the festive ambience as you explore our myriad of Christmas-themed stalls. The scent of mulled wine and hot chocolate, the delicious allure of festive treats, and the visual spectacle of handcrafted ornaments, unique gifts, and beautiful decorations will surely instill the joy and sparkle of the holiday season. Your journey through the market will be accompanied by the sweet serenade of seasonal music.

Group festive lunch together at Cathedral Lodge along with a visit to Canterbury Cathedral. 

Perhaps join the Evening Prayer in the Crypt before having dinner on your own tonight. (B, L)

Accommodation: ABode Canterbury or similar 

Breakfast. We check out hotel and journey back through London to celebrate Christmas at Kew. 

On route we stop at Harrods – time for last minute shopping! Nothing compares to Harrods Christmas – the halls are decked!  Time for lunch here. 

We arrive at Kew Gardens for Christmas at Kew. You’ll be welcomed into a stunning botanical world filled with light, music and the enchantment of the season. The festive light trail is about 3km and presented in the natural landscape. Expect unforgettable larger-than-life illuminations and shimmering tunnels of light.

Our day ends at the Hampton by Hilton London Gatwick Airport Hotel for a final night rest and our final dinner together. (B, D)

Accommodation: Hampton by Hilton London Gatwick Airport Hotel or similar 

Early breakfast and check out hotel. Tour ends. 

Short walk from hotel to the North Terminal to get our Air Transat flight, #123 departing at 11:40am to Toronto. Arrive Toronto 3:00pm. (B)

Ask us about extending your stay in London or choice city.