Salisbury, Winchester & Bournemouth Christmas Market Special

Itinerary

Day 1

Join your coach at your convenient local pick up point this morning and sit back and relax as we head for the south coast via the stunning cathedral town of Salisbury. Maybe bag a unique Christmas gift in one of the many independent shops. You can also find the magnificent 13th century Salisbury Cathedral with Britain’s tallest spire and the world’s best preserved Magna Carta. And NEW for 2024, there will be around 30 covered Christmas Stalls in the Guildhall Square.

We continue to arrive at our comfortable hotel in maritime Southampton. Check in and relax or your central hotel allows you to stay out as late as you like making the most of all the city has to offer including great food and drink.

Day 2

After a hearty breakfast, we head to the ever-popular seaside resort of Bournemouth for free time to spend as you wish. Make sure you don't miss the Christmas Tree Wonderland with its multitude of festive-themed illuminations and traditional Christmas market, Alpine bar and Ice Rink. The Gardens and the wider town will play host to a variety of lighting features and installations. The seafront and town centre offer a variety of excellent restaurants, cafés and bars. Return to the hotel in the evening.

Day 3

After a tasty breakfast, board your coach and head to the medieval city of Winchester, England’s ancient capital. You can visit the Great Hall and King Arthur’s Round Table, a fully restored working water mill and the famous medieval Cathedral, where Jane Austen is buried. There are many shops, cafes and restaurants. You can enjoy the wonderful Christmas Market set in a stunning location with over 100 stalls offering excellent quality specialist goods and festive treats. You have time at leisure to explore the market and wander through the city until mid-afternoon, then re-join your coach and relax during your journey home with great festive memories and Christmas cheer!

Salisbury at Christmas

INCLUDED Visitor Destination

The lovely medieval cathedral city of Salisbury in Wiltshire is transformed into a magical wonderland at Christmas. Across the whole of the city centre, visitors will discover Salisbury's medieval streets festooned with beautiful decorations. The magical lighting offers the perfect backdrop to follow the family-festive trail and peruse the 180+ independent shops.

Salisbury is the City of Stars this Christmas. Salisbury’s magic medieval streets come alive with cheer and merriment with around 30 covered Christmas stalls in the Guildhall Square.

With time to also see some of the city's highlights, you may enjoy an atmospheric visit to the remarkable Cathedral Church which is home to Britain's tallest church spire, oldest working clock and an original copy of the Magna Carta!

For further information on Salisbury, click here (opens in new window)

Bournemouth Christmas Tree Wonderland

With its multitude of festive-themed illuminations the centre piece of this year’s Bournemouth Christmas Tree Trail will once again be the 60ft walk-through Bournemouth Wonderland Tree situated in the centre of the Lower Gardens. The traditional Christmas market, Alpine bar and Ice Rink are all making a welcome return for 2024 and, as well as themed replica trees from around the world, the Gardens and the wider town will play host to a variety of lighting features and installations stretching all the way from the Seafront through the Square up to the Triangle, Beale Place, Horseshoe Common and the Lansdowne roundabout. What fun!

NB - Final 2024 programme subject to confirmation

Bournemouth

Bournemouth is the largest resort in Dorset and along with seven miles of sandy beaches also has beautiful parks and gardens. You’re sure to find plenty of things to do while exploring this coastal town, with lots of attractions, activities, entertainment and adventure to keep all ages entertained. With great shopping and dining experiences there really is something for all ages and budgets.

Beneath the magnificent cliffs you’ll find Bournemouth’s award winning beaches and world-class seafront. From family attractions and a historic house museum to picturesque walks and outdoor activities – as well as restaurants and bars – Bournemouth’s coastline is the jewel in its crown.  Beach huts are a very British tradition that actually originated in Bournemouth in 1908 - you can even rent the world’s oldest beach hut! The beach huts and funky beach pods are available for hire and are ideal for taking in the stunning views and watching the world go by.

For more information on what to see and do in Bournemouth, please click here (opens in a new window)

Winchester Christmas Market

INCLUDED Visitor Destination

From its relatively modest beginnings, the Winchester Cathedral Christmas Market now attracts visitors from around the globe each year and has achieved a reputation as being amongst the very best in Europe. Within the stunning surroundings of the Cathedral’s historic Inner and Outer Close you’ll find over 100 attractive wooden chalets brimming with goodies. The stallholders are individually selected by the Cathedral’s in-house team to ensure superior quality, uniqueness and that a wide range of products are available. There’s a strong emphasis on British and artisan amongst the stallholders. Look out for Hampshire’s finest cheese and sourdough toasties – these alone are reason to return regularly! With the dramatic medieval architecture as a backdrop, it’s an idyllic setting at any time of day, but it really comes into its own after twilight when the Cathedral is lit up and a warm glow radiates from the market stalls.

For further information on Winchester Christmas Market, click here (opens in new window)

Winchester itself is an unspoilt cathedral city on the edge of the rolling South Downs, and is England's ancient capital and former seat of King Alfred the Great. Aside from the fabulous eleventh century Cathedral, it is most well-known for its Great Hall, which for over 700 years has housed the mysterious King Arthur's Round Table. Popular for its bustling shopping streets, the many bars, traditional pubs and restaurants make eating out a pleasure, and there are pretty riverside walks past tranquil water meadows.

For further information on Winchester, click here (opens in new window)

Tour includes

• 2 nights hotel with English breakfast
• Visit to Salisbury
• Excursion to Bournemouth with plenty of free time to explore at leisure including the Christmas Tree Wonderland
• Visit to Winchester & its Christmas Market
• Direct Coach Travel
• Net Zero Carbon Offset Certificate

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Accommodation

Ibis Southampton Centre Southampton

The modern Ibis Southampton is ideally positioned for sampling Southampton's bountiful nightlife and shopping scene. The hotel features a bright, airy on-site café area for around-the-clock refreshments. Unwind with a coffee, sip a chilled sauvignon or bond over a beer or two. The stylish on-site bar is the perfect place to kick back and relax. The bedrooms are comfortable yet simply furnished and include TV, tea/coffee making facilities and WiFi throughout. There is a lift. The hotel is ideally located for Southampton city centre and West Quay Shopping Centre is around a 5 minute walk away.

For more information, click here for the hotel website (opens in a new window)

Hotel Location
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