Oxford, Stratford, Bath & Windsor

 

England is a country of four distinct seasons; the cooler winter months are a time when you can visit iconic sites and historic towns and cities like a local, without the summer crowds. Join Back-Roads on a magical journey as we meander through the rolling countryside where the views seem more expansive as we peek through leafless trees and hedges. The narrow country lanes that comb the landscape are quieter and winter light adds a sharp, frostier aspect on crisp and clear days. Whatever the weather (and we hope you will see some snow in the colder months) the winter is a cosier, more nostalgic season - the open fires of the rural inns and pubs will warm you after a day’s exploration. During the festive season England’s dazzling Christmas markets and sparkling lights illuminate the bustling streets and the shops will make you appreciate this jubilant time of year.

Tour Inclusions

• 3 nights in charming & distinctive accommodation
• Driver/Guide companion
• All mini-coach transportation
• Full English cooked breakfast daily
• Evening meals x 2
• Entrance fees as listed:
  
  • Christ Church, Oxford
  • Blenheim Palace or Oxford Castle
  • Anne Hathaway's Cottage, Stratford
  • Roman Baths & Pump Rooms, Bath
  • Stonehenge, Wiltshire
  • Windsor Castle

DEPARTS: Every Thu ( 28 Oct 2010 - 17 Mar 2011)--------------------------------Thu 28-Oct (3 nights)Thu 4-Nov (3 nights)Thu 11-Nov (3 nights)Thu 18-Nov (3 nights)Thu 25-Nov (3 nights)Thu 2-Dec (3 nights)Thu 9-Dec (3 nights)Thu 16-Dec (3 nights)Thu 6-Jan (3 nights)Thu 13-Jan (3 nights)Thu 20-Jan (3 nights)Thu 27-Jan (3 nights)Thu 3-Feb (3 nights)Thu 10-Feb (3 nights)Thu 17-Feb (3 nights)Thu 24-Feb (3 nights)Thu 3-Mar (3 nights)Thu 10-Mar (3 nights)Thu 17-Mar (3 nights)

Itinerary:

Day 1 Cotswolds
Relax as we travel through beautiful English countryside to the most famous university city in the world, Oxford. We enjoy a guided walk among the golden-stone buildings and ‘dreaming spires’ to Henry VIII’s Christ Church, Oxford’s grandest college, whose former students include Lewis Carroll, Albert Einstein, William Penn and John Locke. For most of the winter (except around Christmas) the students are ‘up’ at Oxford, making it enjoyable to experience the city with its academic bustle rather than the lines of tourists that the summer brings. After our stroll through the college there will be time for personal exploration in this engaging city. Inspector Morse fans might want to visit the iconic Morse Bar at the Randolph Hotel, where Morse and Lewis pondered over many a complex case. Alternatively, Oxford has many fine museums well worth visiting, including the Pitt River and Ashmolean as well as Bodleian Library (where scenes from Harry Potter were filmed). After lunch we travel from Oxford to Churchill’s family home, the stupendous Blenheim Palace, which is decorated with stunning festive decorations over the Christmas period (13th Nov – 12th Dec). During those months when Blenheim is closed (12th Dec – 20th Feb), we remain in Oxford and visit the well preserved Oxford Castle, where you may view the old prison, tower and crypt. We then traverse the gentle, timeless hills of the Cotswolds, stopping at some of the exquisite village gems. If we are lucky, it might be possible to see snow in Snowshill, a village owned by the National Trust and one of the loveliest in the Cotswolds. Our night stop is close-by in a cosy Cotswold village where we will enjoy a delicious traditional evening meal.
(D)

Day 2 Bath
This morning is a feast for literary enthusiasts as we visit Shakespeare’s Stratford-upon-Avon to discover Ye Olde England of the Bard’s birth and final resting place, Holy Trinity Church. Enjoy the benefit of fewer crowds in one of the most popular tourist towns in England outside London. The relative peace will be especially apparent in Shakespeare’s birthplace and Anne Hathaway’s cottage. From Stratford we meander through quiet country lanes through to more honey-coloured Cotswold villages and towns, littered with atmospheric churches and traditional country inns. We then arrive in the splendid city of Bath, our base for the next two nights. Tonight we enjoy another delicious meal.
(B/D)

Day 3 Bath
Listed as a World Heritage Site, Bath is truly one of Europe’s most attractive cities and can boast the highest concentration of listed buildings anywhere in the British Isles. Spend the morning exploring this Georgian city, visit the recently restored Roman Baths, the towering 15th century Abbey and Georgian stone crescents. Literary enthusiasts may choose to visit the engaging Jane Austen Centre, which offers a snapshot of life during Regency times and how the city affected Jane’s life and writing. During the day we have the option of a short tour to the nearby picture-postcard villages of Lacock and Castle Combe. Lacock has been used in TV and film productions such as Pride and Prejudice, The Other Boleyn Girl and Harry Potter - Castle Combe in Dr Doolittle, Poirot and Robin of Sherwood. We return to Bath early in the afternoon with free time to enjoy the winter festivities of the fabulously atmospheric Christmas Markets which adorn the streets of Bath (25th Nov – 12th Dec). The 123 traditional wooden chalets offer unique, handmade and unusual gifts, decorations and delicious treats. The city also boasts an abundance of interesting shops and boutiques as well as dozens of traditional pubs and inns offering local ales and ‘winter warmers.’
(B)

Day 4 Stonehenge / Windsor Castle
We say farewell to Bath and look forward to yet more spectacular sights as we travel across Salisbury Plain to the great mystical construction of Stonehenge, its stark setting accentuated by the winter light. Then onwards to the glorious city of Salisbury to admire the second tallest spire in Europe and the original Magna Carta housed in the cathedral. Our final destination is an old exploration of discovery to the world’s largest occupied and oldest garrisoned fortress, Windsor Castle – favourite home of the Queen. As well as St George’s Chapel the burial place of royals such as Henry VIII and the late Queen Mother, we see the jaw-dropping State Apartments, used for official state functions to this day. During the winter months an additional five rooms, known as the Semi-State Rooms, are also open to the public. At the conclusion of a marvellous day we return to London.
(B)

Price

*Some sites close over the Christmas period, in these instances we will endeavour to offer an alternative. Due to weather or circumstances out of our control, we may need to divert from this itinerary.