ISLE OF WIGHT VICTORIAN CHRISTMAS

Duration: 06 Dec 2021 - 10 Dec 2021

Location: ISLE OF WIGHT VICTORIAN CHRISTMAS

Price: £539pp

The festive season as we know it today, from turkey and crackers to Father Christmas, has its roots in the Victorian era. Come and join us on this tour to the Isle of Wight, and take a step back in time at the Bourne Hall Country Hotel and Osborne House and enjoy a perfect Victorian Christmas.

Monday: Completing our pickups we head for our early afternoon ferry to the Isle of Wight. Arriving at the Bourne Hall Country House Hotel mid afternoon we are immediately taken back in time and welcomed into the Yuletide spirit with tea and mince pies. Afterwards immerse yourself in the splendour of the original 1870’s features of the House, traditionally decorated for Christmas. A drinks reception will welcome you before you take your seats for a candlelit delicious three course dinner. After dinner relax with coffee and mints.

Tuesday: CHRISTMAS EVE. Wake up to a freshly cooked breakfast, accompanied by hot buttered toast and conserves. This morning we visit the historic market town of Newport, often referred to as the Capital of the Isle of Wight. With its two elegant squares, a regular Tuesday market and a mix of well known chain stores, smaller independent shops and cafes, Newport is a good place to visit. A mulled wine reception awaits you before a gala Christmas buffet is served in the restaurant. Enjoy coffee and mints in the drawing room.

Wednesday: CHRISTMAS DAY A Merry Christmas to one and all. After a relaxing breakfast we make

our way to Osborne House, Queen Victoria and Prince Albert’s family home here on the Isle of Wight. The idea of a Victorian Christmas owes much to the work of Charles Dickens, but Queen Victoria and Prince Albert did much to shape our concept of the quintessentially English Christmas and the traditions we have come to accept today. See the House decorated in the manner it was in Queen Victoria’s day, evoking the ideal Victorian Christmas. Enjoy an Isle of Wight beer and wine tasting reception prior to your Christmas Day, three course evening meal. Following dinner there will be evening entertainment whilst enjoying coffee and mints.

Thursday: We spend the morning here in Shanklin, with a drive onto the Esplanade and time in Old Shanklin. This afternoon we visit the picturesque village of Godshill, with its medieval church and charming thatched cottages. This evening you will be served a three course dinner in the restaurant whilst marvelling at the trickery of a table magician.

Friday: Sadly we leave the Bourne Hall Country Hotel and catch the ferry back to the mainland. Using the motorways, with a suitable stop along the way we aim to be back home late afternoon.

Important Information:

Please read the itinerary carefully before deciding if this tour will be suitable for you:1) At the time of producing this brochure the full festive entertainment package at the hotel for 2021 had not been confirmed, so it may be different from what is described.2) Due to the historical nature of the building, the hotel has no lift and it is necessary to negotiate steps to the bedrooms and leisure facilities. There are only a limited number of ground floor rooms available.3) Some of the locations visited on this tour have cobbled and uneven surfaces.
Please note that during the winter months only the ground floor rooms at Osborne House are open to the public. At the time of producing this brochure we can not guarantee that the House will be open or that it will be decorated for Christmas. Based on past opening times it should be.
SUPPLEMENTS £45.00 – maximum 5 singles

Your Holiday Hotel

The 3 star Bourne Hall Country House Hotel is an elegant, family run and owned hotel. Originally built in the 1860’s, said to be for one of Queen Victoria’s ladies in waiting, the “house” still retains its sense of history whilst providing comfortable accommodation enhanced by its original Victorian features. All the bedrooms are en-suite and equipped with Freeview TV, telephone, hairdryer and hospitality tray. The hotel has a leisure centre featuring an indoor swimming pool, Jacuzzi and sauna. The hotel does not have a lift and there are a limited number of ground floor rooms.

Hotel Rating:

Tour includes

Executive coach travel.• Return ferry – Portsmouth-Fishbourne• Porterage on arrival and departure.• Tea and mince pies on arrival.• En-suite rooms. • 4 nights dinner, bed and breakfast, comprising of a 3 course dinner with choice of menu. One evening will be a festive gala buffet. Tea/coffee after dinner and full English breakfast.• Entertainment as provided by the hotel.• Excursions as outlined including a visits to Newport, Old Shanklin, Godshill and entrance to Osborne House.• Complimentary Travel Insurance. • ALL THIS FOR AROUND £107.80 PER DAY