Wonders of Hampshire - Winchester, Watercress & Austen

NEW FOR 2025! Discover Hampshire's heritage, history and thriving culture on this brand new tour for 2025, packed full of inclusions and visits. Travel by one of the lovingly restored trains through 10 miles of beautiful Hampshire countryside on the Watercress Line. Learn more about Jane Austen, one of England's most celebrated and greatest novelists, and how Hampshire played an important part in her life, not just as the place she lived but as inspiration to many of her novels. See her final resting place in Winchester Cathedral, take a relaxing cruise on the Basingstoke Canal and uncover living history at the Milestones Museum. All this, based at a 4* country hotel surrounded by acres of beautiful parkland.Tour Highlights
- Hotel for 4 nights with breakfast & dinner- Welcome tea / coffee- Porterage- Entrance & guided visit of Winchester Cathedral- One way travel on the Watercress Line- Entrance to Jane Austen's House- Entrance to Milestones Museum- Basingstoke Canal Cruise with cream tea on board

Packed with inclusions & visits
Day 1 - After joining your holiday coach, head south with a stop in the quaint town of Hook (time permitting). Arrive at your countryside hotel for the next 4 nights with porterage and a welcome tea or coffee. DBB\n\nDay 2 - 4 At leisure in Hampshire with three included excursions\n\nINCLUDED EXCURSIONS\nWinchester with Cathedral Tour\nEnjoy a full day in Hampshire's county town, Winchester, a handsome market town and once one of the mightiest settlements in England. Under the Romans it was one of the largest towns in Britain, but it was Alfred the Great who really put Winchester on the map when he made it the capital of his Wessex kingdom in 9th century. A guided tour of the awe-inspiring, 11th century cathedral is included where an expert guide will reveal over 1000 years of history including the rich and complex interior, the 556ft nave (making it the longest medieval cathedral), Jane Austen's final resting place and the Winchester Bible, the biggest and best surviving 12th Century English Bible. Afterwards, there will be plenty of time to explore the city's natural, historic and architectural treasures at your own pace.\n\nWatercress Line & Jane Austen's House\nTravel the 10-mile line from one end to the other (between Alresford and Alton) on the Mid Hants Railway (affectionately known as the Watercress Line) takes approximately 40 minutes. Join the train at the picturesque Georgian town of Alresford where the watercress that gave the line its name was sent all over the country by train from the goods platform you can still see behind the signal box. Pass through the lovely old stations along the line as well as the delightful Hampshire countryside to Alton, the perfect way to unwind and witness the sights, sounds and magic of travel from a bygone age. Please note that the line operates mostly steam but also some heritage diesel engines. After some free time in Alton, visit Jane Austen's house, a picturesque cottage in the nearby village of Chawton where she wrote, revised and had published all her novels including the timeless Pride and Prejudice. Uncover the story of her life and times and get up close to objects form the unparallelled collection including her writings, jewellery and the little table at which she wrote.\n\nMilestones Museum & Basingstoke Canal Cruise\nWalk through Victorian and 1930s Britain at Milestones Museum and explore the shops, houses and workplaces of yesteryear and discover what everyday life was like for our ancestors. From life-size cobbled streets to a seaside pier, teddy bears, vintage vehicles, penny arcade, an operating pub, sweet shop and more, there is so much to enjoy at Milestones, Hampshire's museum of living history! This afternoon, relax aboard the 'John Pinkerton II' and cruise the beautiful Basingstoke Canal from Odiham wharf. At less than 3 mph, there is plenty of time to admire the passing countryside, spot the deer in the fields, and count the ducks and geese. You may even see the bright flash of a kingfisher darting ahead of the boat, or the majestic flight of a heron circling round to return to its favourite bank to continue fishing. There is a fully licensed bar on board to purchase drinks and a cream tea with a tea or coffee is included. Cruise duration 2.5 hours\n\nDay 5 - Set off this morning and head to Benson on the River Thames (time permitting). Maybe take a stroll along the Thames Path, perfect for watching the boats coming and going. Onward to interchange in the afternoon.4* Contemporary Hotel
Norton Park Hotel & Spa\nSet amid 54 acres of peaceful parkland in glorious Hampshire countryside just north of Winchester, this 4* contemporary hotel is focused around an elegant 17th century manor house with original oak panelling and timber beams. The main part of the hotel is a modern wing where there is an upscale restaurant and a casual bar and lounge. Sleek, stylish guestrooms are located in two accommodation wings and feature all mod cons including flat-screen TVs and free WiFi. Covered walkways connect the three parts of the hotel and there is a lift in the main part of the hotel. The health club and spa has an indoor pool with a vaulted glass ceiling, steam room, sauna and gym. Singles are double / twin for sole use. There is a lift as well as ground floor rooms