Christmas time in England 2021

Depart Toronto on Air Transat flight TS122 at 9:45pm.

Arrive London Gatwick Airport at 9:45am.

We visit the  Borough Market with a team of food experts.  There is nowhere that better represents London as a truly cosmopolitan city, with traditional British produce sitting side by side with regional specialities from around the world.
Borough Market is a wholesale and retail food market in Southwark, Central London, England. It
is one of the largest and oldest food markets in London. In 2014, it celebrated its 1,000th
birthday.

We then continue to the Crowne Plaza London – the City Hotel by coach. Welcome dinner at 7:00pm. (D)

Accommodation: Crowne Plaza London – the City Hotel or similar

Your introductions to Charles Dickens London begins at his London home of 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.

We will visit the Hyde Park Winter Wonderland. A hugely popular annual event in the heart of London.  You’ll be sure to find all you need for the festive season at our Christmas Markets. With over 100 fairy-lit Bavarian style wooden chalets, you’ll be spoilt for choice with plenty of gift ideas for friends and family, or even a treat for yourself.

Dinner tonight will be at the Aqua Shard.

 (B, D)

Accommodation: Crowne Plaza London – the City Hotel or similar

After breakfast we go to Winchester Cathedral Christmas Market. Winchester Cathedral Christmas Market is recognized as one of the best in Europe, renowned for its unique location, handpicked high quality exhibitors and bustling atmosphere. The Christmas Market is inspired by traditional German Christmas markets and attracts more than 400,000 visitors each year. The pretty
wooden chalets are situated in the Cathedral’s historic Inner Close surrounding a stunning real ice rink.

Winchester holds its own with any European destination for those in search of an authentic Christmas experience. The Cathedral is at the heart of the city’s celebration, with its many Christmas services, Christmas Market and Ice Rink. Christmas in Winchester offers a unique and magical experience throughout the festive period and has become known as England’s Christmas Capital.

This afternoon we go to Bombay Sapphire Distillery. Bombay Sapphire is a brand of gin owned by Bacardi that was first launched in 1987 by IDV. . Bombay Sapphire is marketed in a flat-sided, sapphire-coloured bottle that bears a picture of Queen Victoria on the label.

Early evening we arrive in New Forest and check into our hotel. Evening at your leisure. (B, D)

Accommodation: The Master Builder’s, Bucklards Hard Hotel New Forest or similar

After breakfast we go to the Beaulieu Motor Museum. Free time here to discover. See over 250 vehicles – from F1 cars and speed record breakers to incredible examples of pioneering motoring.

This afternoon we will visit a local vineyard. TBA (B, D)

Accommodation: The Master Builder’s, Bucklards Hard Hotel New Forest or similar

Much of our day will be in Rochester Town. We will meet our local guide and we will tour around the area to see – Gads Hill Place and Forge Lane Pip’s forge (Great Expectations) external St James Church, Colling where pip was sitting on the wall contemplating the graves of his family when was surprised by the convictt Magwitch (Great Expectations). Rochester is a town and historic city in the unitary authority of Medway in Kent, England. 

Note: Walking tour of Rcchester if dry (at least 1 hour), time in the Guildhall museum if wet and cold

Neighbouring Chatham, Gillingham, Strood and a number of outlying villages, together with Rochester, nowadays make up the Medway Unitary Authority area. It was, until 1998, under the control of Kent County Council and is still part of the ceremonial county of Kent, under the latest Lieutenancies Act.

Lunch will be at White Horse Restaurant. 

In the evening we arrive at Leeds Castle . Tonight enjoy dinner in the elegant Castle Dining Room. It will be a 3 course set menu from the Gold Menu followed by coffee and chocolates. (B, L, D)

Accommodation: Leeds Castle or similar

This morning we travel to Shepherd Neame Brewery for a tour of the brewery followed by a tutored tasting of three ales with lunch and a pint!

Shepherd Neame is an English independent regional brewery founded in 1698 in Faversham,
Kent. 

Meet our tour guide in Whitstable after lunch. Depart for Canterbury stop off briefly St Dunstan’s church to see Sir Thomas Moore’s tomb. Tour of Canterbury Cathedral with our guide is also included.

Canterbury Cathedral – mother church and UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Afterwards we head back to Leeds Castle to enjoy a tour of the Castle. Leeds Castle is in Kent, England, 5 miles (8 km) southeast of Maidstone. A castle has been on the site since 1119. 

Tonight enjoy the magnificent Henry VIII Banqueting Hall perfect for the Medieval Gala dinner. (B, L, D)

Accommodation: Leeds Castle or similar

We go to Whitstable, a seaside town in Kent. Whitstable is on the North Kent Coast. The town is famous for its oysters, and has several upmarket fish restaurants. Lunch today at SAMPHIRE.

This evening is free for you to explore Canterbury. (B, D)

Accommodation: Hampton by Hilton or similar

This morning we go to the medieval Dover Castle.  It was founded in the 11th century and has been described as the “Key to England” due to its defensive significance throughout history. It is the largest castle in England.

In the afternoon  we head back to Canterbury for free time for the rest of day. (B)

Accommodation: Hampton by Hilton or similar

A full day at the Dickensian Christmas Festival.

The Seven Poor Travellers The Story of the Seven Poor travellers is enacted each morning of the
Dickensian Christmas. It celebrates the Dickens short story ‘The Seven Poor Travellers’, which was
based on an actual visit by Dickens to Rochester, in which he The story of the seven poor
travellersvisited the Six Poor Travellers’ House on Christmas Eve, and felt compelled to do
something to cheer up the life of the inmates.

A small parade starts at the Victoria and Bull Hotel (The Bull’) and proceeds to the Six Poor
Travellers House. The large crowds are partly explained by the fact that until recently, after a
short reading real Christmas food was distributed ‘to the poor’, leading to something of a scrum!

The Candelit Parade and Carols for Christmas. The last event of each day of the Dickensian
Christmas is a candlelit parade along the High Street to Boley Hill, ending outside Rochester
Cathedral for communal carol singing in the snow led by the BAE Systems’ Brass Band. The
atmosphere is fantastic, and the perfect way to get into the right mood for Christmas. (B)

Accommodation: Hampton by Hilton or similar 

Today we will visit Nymans National Trust, a garden lovers’ for all seasons with an extensive yet intimate garden set around a romantic house and ruins.  The garden was developed, starting in the late 19th century, by three generations of the Messel family, and was brought to renown by Leonard Messel.

Next we will travel to Amberley Castle, a 900 year old, erected in the 12th century manor house.  The walls, gateway and two of the towers remain as Grade I listed building and are not in the use as a privately owned hotel. 

Tonight we travel to Hilton London Gatwick Airport for dinner at the hotel. (B, D)

Accommodation: Hilton London Gatwick Airport Hotel or similar

Depart London Gatwick Airport on flight TS123 at 11:40am, arriving Toronto at 2:40pm. (B)