Winchester Christmas Market & Windsor

The cathedral in England's ancient capital of Winchester provides an elegant backdrop for the annual Christmas market, renowned as one of the best in Europe. Join us on this three-day getaway to delight in the beautiful city's merry atmosphere where we can get our Christmas shopping started early from a range of traditional stalls offering a selection of hand-made wares. We also enjoy a visit to the historical city of Windsor to complete a delightful few days away soaking up the spirit of the Christmas season.What's Included
IncludesReturn coach travel2 nights at the Basingstoke Country Hotel & Spa, near Basingstoke (JG2 rating) with dinner & breakfastExcursion to Salisbury & Winchester Christmas MarketEn-route visit to Windsor

Itinerary
Day 1After joining the coach, we make our way to our hotel in Basingstoke and check in in time for an evening meal.Day 2 - Salisbury & Winchester Christmas MarketWe start our day in the quintessentially English setting of Salisbury. This stunning city has hundreds of historically listed buildings including the medieval cathedral which boasts the tallest spire in Britain. Explore the patchwork of streets which boast a charming jumble of architectural styles, ranging from medieval walls and half-timbered Tudor townhouses to Georgian mansions and Victorian villas.Next, we travel to Winchester, situated on the edge of the South Downs National Park. Here we enjoy the spectacle of the annual Christmas market on the grounds of the elegant cathedral, complete with wooden chalets, carol singers and even an ice rink. Take your pick of the fabulously festive wares on display from the many stallholders before we return to the hotel in the late afternoon.Day 3 - WindsorAfter checking out of our hotel we travel to Windsor, situated on the River Thames and crowned by the stunning Windsor Castle, the oldest inhabited castle in the world. This ancient royal town has a rich heritage dating back over a thousand years with many beautiful buildings and cobbled streets. Here we enjoy some free time at leisure to discover the impressive sights before we rejoin the coach for our journey home.

Windsor
Discover the ancient royal town of Windsor, a beautiful town with a rich history situated on the River Thames and most famous for Windsor Castle, one of the official residences of His Majesty The King and the British Royal Family.
Windsor Castle towers over this regal town and offers various exhibitions and attractions to see, from Queen Mary's Dolls' House and the Changing of the Royal Guards to the Gothic St George's Chapel and the State Apartments.

Winchester
The stunning Hampshire city of Winchester is situated on the edge of the rolling South Downs National Park.England's ancient capital is steeped in heritage and boasts an array of historic attractions, the best-known being the stunning Winchester Cathedral. With the longest medieval nave in Europe, the cathedral also contains the tombs of numerous monarchs of Wessex and Winchester and the author Jane Austen. It is also home to the Winchester Bible, one of the finest 12th-century bibles to have survived.Climb up St Giles' Hill from where you can see the sweep of medieval and Georgian buildings laid out below. Explore the galleries at Winchester City Museum, discover the timeless legend of King Arthur in the Great Hall - one of the finest surviving medieval halls or stroll through the water meadows beside the River Itchen. The city is also home to Winchester College- one of the oldest continuously-running schools in the country which has been used as a filming location for a number of blockbusterssuch as Harry Potter and Les Misérables.Wander through Winchester's winding streets and you will also find a wealth of shopping opportunities with chic boutiques, designer stores and big name shops along with cafés, traditional pubs and restaurants, perfect for a tipple or bite to eat!Hotel
Basingstoke Country Hotel & Spa, BasingstokeJG2 ratingThe Basingstoke Country Hotel is set in Basingstoke's peaceful countryside, surrounded by beautiful scenery. The hotel features a bar and restaurant, plus elegant en-suite rooms with tea and coffee-making facilities and a flat-screen TV. Leisure facilities include an indoor pool, Jacuzzi, steam room and gym. Meals are buffet style.Please note: Leisure facilities may open on reduced hours over the festive period.Hotel RatingJG2 ratingHotels with a JG2 rating are a mixture of larger hotels and privately owned properties. Décor and furnishings may be simple but are clean and well maintained. All bedrooms have en-suite facilities, TV and may have tea/coffee making facilities. Food may be buffet style in some of the larger hotels. Services may be limited but efficient.