Christmas in Stratford and the Countess of Evesham

Make your own way to our hotel in Stratford-upon-Avon, where you’ll meet our Tour Manager and enjoy dinner and a relaxing evening.

This morning, we include a walking tour in the company of a local Blue Badge Guide. Steeped in culture and history, this medieval market town is the birthplace of William Shakespeare, born here in 1564 in a half-timbered house on Henley Street.

After the tour, there is time to explore further before we board the coach and head to Warwick Castle for an afternoon visit.

Warwick Castle was developed from a wooden fort, originally built by William the Conqueror in 1068. It later transformed from a fortress to a stately home and today has 1000 years of history to immerse yourself in. Inside the castle, you can explore the Great Hall and state rooms, whilst outside there is 64 acres of beautiful grounds and gardens to discover, including the Peacock Garden, with its sculptured topiary, manicured hedges. Why not take time to visit one of the cafés on site?

Our coach returns us back to the hotel where we enjoy dinner at the hotel this evening.

Merry Christmas! This morning is yours to enjoy breakfast and soak up the atmosphere and the festivities of the hotel.

Late morning, we gather to take the short walk to the waterside where we board the Countess of Evesham. We enjoy an included glass of Prosecco on boarding, followed by a 4-course Christmas lunch with half a bottle of house wine, followed by tea, coffee and a mince pie. The Countess of Evesham will gently cruise along the River Avon whilst dinner is served in warm and comfortable surroundings.

After returning to Stratford, why not take a stroll to walk off your Christmas lunch? This evening, a light meal is served in the hotel restaurant.

Please note: to board the boat, you will need to be able to manage five steps down into the boat with handrail assistance, whilst ducking slightly on the first step. Also, if due to weather, flood or any other reason, the skipper considers it necessary to vary the trip or continue the function whilst moored, they shall have the final word – please respect their decision.

Today, we travel by coach to Bridgnorth where we board the Severn Valley Railway and enjoy a return journey by steam. The 16-mile route follows the winding path of the River Severn and travels across the 200 metre Victoria Bridge, where you can enjoy excellent river views.

We alight at Kidderminster station where we enjoy an included light lunch and refreshments. We board the train for the return journey to Bridgnorth where our coach meets us and takes us back to the hotel for our evening meal.

After breakfast, we say goodbye to our Shakespearean setting. You can depart at your leisure.