Visit Highclere Castle, the location of the award winning TV drama series Downton Abbey and seat of the Earl of Carnarvon, as well as Oxford, Salisbury and the Cotswolds on this fantastic new 5 Day tour.
HILTON SWINDON
www.hilton.co.uk/Swindon
The Hilton Hotel, Swindon is ideally placed within close reach of the beautiful Cotswolds, and offers a comfortable relaxed atmosphere. Leisure facilities include indoor pool with bubble whirlpool, fitness suite, sauna and steam room. Rooms are bright and airy with LCD TV, iron & ironing board, hairdryer and tea/coffee making facilities..
 
ITINERARY
SUNDAY We depart our local area and make our way south arriving in the City of Oxford early afternoon. Spend a wonderful afternoon exploring the ‘city of Spires’, visit the many colleges, the Botanical Gardens or one of the many cafes in the indoor market. Later this afternoon we continue onto our base for the following 4 nights, The 4 star
Swindon Hilton.
 
MONDAY This morning visit the very pretty village of Bampton which was used for many of the outdoor locations for ‘DowntonAbbey’.Afterwards we take a leisurely drive through the Cotswolds visiting the villages of Bourton-on-the-Water,Moreton-in-the-Marsh and Chipping Norton.
TUESDAY Today is the highlight of our trip – a visit to Highclere Castle, which has been used extensively in the filming of ‘Downton Abbey’.Your visit will include entrance to the Castle, Grounds, Gardens and not forgetting the fascinating Egyptian collection.Highlights of any visit to the Castle should include the State Rooms on the ground floor, filled with wonderful wall coverings. Look out for Napoleon’s desk and chair from his time on St Helena, on view in the library.The Egyptian collection contains many items excavated by Lord Carnarvon and Howard Carter during their 17 year expedition to the ancient tombs of Egypt. The gardens were designed in the 18th century by one of the most famous of English landscape architects, ‘Capability’ Brown.
WEDNESDAY Whether you are a first-time or a regular visitor to the city, the awesome sight of Salisbury Cathedral spire never fails to impress, soaring a breathtaking 404 feet into the sky. There is much to see in and around the Cathedral. The spacious and tranquil Close with its schools, historic houses and museums makes a fine setting for the Cathedral.While visiting the Cathedral make sure you view the best preserved of only four original Magna Carta – the famous agreement made between King John and his barons at Runnymede. On our return journey we visit the fascinating village of Avebury and view the Avebury Stone circle.
THURSDAY After a leisurely breakfast we travel home with comfort breaks on route arriving home late afternoon.
Included in your holiday
4 nights’ dinner, bed and breakfast at the Hilton Swindon
Admission to Highclere Castle
Return executive coach travel, excursions and VAT
Door to door collection fromselected areas
Operated by 2 members of crew with on board drinks service throughout this tour
Not included
Travel Insurance £18.00
Single Room Supplement £99.00
 
 
Join us on this Bank Holiday weekend as we prove you don’t have to travel hundreds of miles, when we have stunning scenery on our doorstep. Sit back, relax and watch the dramatic landscape unfold fromthe comfort of our coach, steamtrain and canal boat.  
THE MERCURE BLACKBURN DUNKENHALGH HOTEL AND SPA
www.mercure.com
Housed in a 700 year old country manor, the Dunkenhalgh Hotel is set in 17 acres of Parkland offering a quiet location. The modern en-suite rooms have internet access and satellite TV and are well equipped. The Cameo Restaurant and Cameo Bar offer international cuisine and light dishes and the Spa has an indoor pool and a fully equipped fitness centre. The hotel has a lift (some rooms are not served by lift, therefore please request if needed).
ITINERARY
FRIDAY After a leisurely departure we travel to the thriving market town of Hawes and on to the picturesque village of Grassington, set on the River Wharf with its cobbled market square. Later this afternoon we travel to The Dunkenhalgh Hotel with time to relax before dinner.
SATURDAY An exciting day as after a visit to the famous Oswaldtwistle Mills Outlet we travel to Skipton, where we have included a Canal Boat Cruise on the Leeds-Liverpool canal. Sit back and relax with included tea/ coffee and biscuits as the boat’s crew entertain us with tales and history on our journey through stunning scenery. After our cruise enjoy free time in Skipton ‘The Gateway to the Dales’ and winner of 2009 Great High Street of the Year, situated in the heart of the Pennines with its well preserved 900yr old medieval castle.		  
SUNDAY This morning we visit Haworth, home of the Brontë sisters,where you will have free time for shopping and sightseeing. This afternoon we include a rail journey from Keighley to Oxonhope. The Keighley and Worth Valley Railway is an authentic steam railway which runs through the heart of West Yorkshire's Brontë Country. Lovingly preserved, the line was used in the film version of E. Nesbit’s “The Railway Children” and countless other TV and cinema period dramas.
MONDAY After a leisurely breakfast we leave the Dunkenhalgh Hotel for a journey to Settle. After time for lunch, we join the early afternoon train from Settle to Carlisle, one of the UK’s great train journeys.On arrival in Carlisle we rejoin our coach and travel home arriving late afternoon.
   
Included in your holiday  
3 nights’ 3 course dinner, bed and English breakfast
Return executive coach travel, excursions and VAT
Canal boat cruise and two rail journeys
Door to door collection fromselected points
Porterage throughout (1 case per person subject to conditions)
  Operated by experienced tour driver/guide (no drinks services operated on board this tour due to the short journeys involved)
 
   
Not included
Travel Insurance £16.00
Single Room Supplement Nil