Festive Salisbury & Longleat Festival Of Light

Itinerary

Holiday Highlights

• Hotel for 3 nights with breakfast & 2 dinners
• Lunch on Saturday instead of dinner
• Porterage and welcome tea / coffee on arrival
• Morning visit to Marlborough
• Entrance to Longleat Festival of Light
• Day at leisure in Festive Salisbury
• En-route stops (time permitting) in Winchester 

Festive Wiltshire Weekend

Day 1 - After boarding your holiday coach, head off with a stop along the way in historic Winchester, a real treasure trove of English heritage. Winchester Cathedral’s Christmas Market will be in full swing, renowned for its bustling atmosphere, stunning location and quality vendors. Then it is just a short hop to your hotel near Salisbury for your 3 night stay. Porterage assistance and welcome tea / coffee await on arrival. 2 nights DBB and a late lunch on Saturday replaces dinner when the evening will be spent at Longleat Festival of Lights

Day 2 - 3 - At leisure with 2 included excursions 

INCLUDED EXCURSIONS
Marlborough & Longleat Festival of Lights 
Take a drive into the North Wessex Down National Landscape, an AONB, to pretty Marlborough with its buzzing high street full of independent shops and various cafes, pubs and tea rooms. Its claim to fame is the well-known College, the public school whose illustrious alumni include Victorian designer William Morris and Catherine, Princess of Wales. It is also where Merlin’s bones are said to be buried. There is a market on Saturdays in the High Street. Return to the hotel for lunch (which replaces dinner this evening) before heading out later this afternoon to Longleat for the Festival of Light. The historic house and landscaped gardens are the setting for a themed light spectacular with life-sized lanterns and show-stopping scenes along an interactive and immersive trail. A phenomenal light show illuminates the historic facade of Longleat House (access to the house not included). The singing Christmas tree stands at over 15 metres tall and is illuminated with 88,000 twinkling lights and is fitted with four snow-making machines for a magical winter experience (show time every 20 minutes until 7.10pm) The theme for 2025 is yet to be announced. There are food and beverage outlets available until approx. 7pm. Return to the hotel this evening

Credit - Longleat Festival of Light (2023 Festival)Festive Salisbury
Spend the day in festive Salisbury, a Cathedral city of ageless beauty and captivating history, which has been welcoming travellers since 1227. The Christmas Gift Fayre features an array of local crafts and artisan products and is held on the Guildhall Square, a beautiful festively decorated area with food, drink and festive entertainment. The 'pop up' Festive Sunday Market takes place on Salisbury’s historic Market Place and showcases a fantastic range of unique gifts, artisan goods and festive decor, all adding to the vibrancy and festive spirit of the city. Enjoy delectable food, festive drinks and holiday cheer while taking in the bustling atmosphere of the Market Square. Meander the historic streets and alleyways with their charming half-timbered buildings. Perhaps visit one of the museums (Salisbury Museum - entrance approx. £10 pp). Should you wish to visit the Cathedral (with Britain’s tallest spire), you can book admission online in advance. See www.salisburycathedral.org.uk - approx. £10 pp in 2024 for entry to the Cathedral and Chapter House with Magna Carta. On Sundays, the Cathedral is generally open 12:30 - 16:00 but subject to change, so please check beforehand. 

Day 4 - It's farewell to Wiltshire as you head for home today. Travel back to interchange with a stop en-route for refreshments and onward to your home towns mid-evening

Itinerary based on information available at the time of going to print. Exact details of festive market and activities in Salisbury for 2025 as well as the theme for the 2025 Longleat Festival of Light still to be confirmed Back to top

Accommodation

Stones Hotel, Nr Salisbury

This 3* low-rise hotel is located between Salisbury and Amesbury. The traditionally furnished guestrooms vary in size and all offer TV, har dryer and tea / coffee making facilities. There is no lift but there are plenty of ground floor rooms. The modern restaurant features a mixture of booth and table seating and offers seasonal locally sourced food. There is a bar with a fireplace extending to a lounge and a seasonal outdoor terrace. NB Single rooms are double / twin for sole occupancy Back to top