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Itinerary
Christmas in Bournemouth, Salisbury & the New Forest
After joining the coach, we make our way to our hotel and check in.
Christmas in Bournemouth, Salisbury & the New Forest
On Christmas Eve we explore the New Forest, England’s smallest National Park, famous for its tranquil ambience and free-roaming ponies. We visit the Forest’s capital of Lyndhurst and the coastal town and former smuggler’s port, Lymington, with its cobbled streets and attractive quayside.
Christmas in Bournemouth, Salisbury & the New Forest
Christmas Day is a lovely day of leisure at our hotel, including a traditional Christmas lunch with all the trimmings followed by Christmas cake, tea and coffee. A light buffet dinner is served in the evening.
Christmas in Bournemouth, Salisbury & the New Forest
On Boxing Day we head to Salisbury, often referred to as ‘the city in the countryside’ thanks to its beautiful backdrop of Wiltshire’s rolling hills. As well as being a great place for shopping, the city is home to a fine medieval cathedral that boasts the tallest spire in Britain and an original copy of the Magna Carta.
Christmas in Bournemouth, Salisbury & the New Forest
After breakfast, we check out of our hotel and head for home.
Welcome Drink & Hotel Orientation in Bournemouth
On arrival day, settle into your room before meeting in the lounge bar to enjoy a welcome drink. It’s a relaxed chance to meet your tour team and fellow travellers, hear about the days ahead and get a friendly orientation to Bournemouth’s highlights, from the pier to the Victorian gardens just a short walk away.
Your host outlines timings for Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day, with tips on nearby seaside walks and cosy spots for a pre-dinner tipple. Then enjoy a free evening to unwind, explore the hotel’s public spaces, and ease into the coastal holiday mood.
Light Evening Entertainment at the Hotel
Each night after dinner, settle in for light evening entertainment at the hotel. Depending on the night, you might join a seasonal quiz, tap along to gentle live music or enjoy low-key cabaret (programmes vary). With after-dinner tea and coffee included, it’s a sociable, unhurried way to round off the evening.
During the festive week the mood turns especially cosy, with familiar carols and winter classics setting the scene. Linger with new friends, share stories from the day’s excursions, and enjoy a relaxed nightcap before turning in.
Salisbury Visit & Cathedral Close
On Boxing Day, travel to Salisbury, often called the “city in the countryside.” Begin with an easy orientation of the medieval streets and Market Place before entering the tranquil Cathedral Close to admire the tallest spire in Britain rising above water meadows. You’ll have time to stroll the precincts and, independently, to step inside Salisbury Cathedral and the Chapter House to view the celebrated Magna Carta (subject to opening and admission).
Founded in 1220, Salisbury Cathedral is a masterpiece of Early English Gothic, largely completed within a single century, with its soaring spire added in the 14th century. Take a moment to enjoy time at leisure for cafés and shops, or to wander paths along the River Avon where Constable once painted the cathedral framed by willows.
Christmas Day Festive Lunch & Evening Buffet
On Christmas Day, linger over breakfast before gathering to savour a traditional Christmas lunch with all the trimmings — think roast turkey, golden potatoes, pigs in blankets and seasonal vegetables, finished with Christmas cake, tea and coffee. The hotel team sets a warm, seasonal tone so you can relax without any of the cooking or clearing away.
The afternoon is yours to enjoy a free afternoon in the hotel’s lounges or for a gentle Bournemouth seafront stroll, returning for a light evening buffet. With festive music and friendly service, it’s a day centred on comfort, conversation and the simple pleasures of the season.
New Forest Scenic Drive: Lyndhurst & Lymington
On Christmas Eve, set out on a coach tour through the atmospheric New Forest National Park, where you may spot free-roaming ponies amid heather and ancient oaks. Pause in Lyndhurst, the Forest’s “capital,” to browse independent shops and, time permitting, pause for photos and reflection by St Michael & All Angels’ church or the New Forest Heritage Centre. Continue to Lymington, a former smugglers’ port, and wander the cobbled Quay Hill down to the yacht-filled marina with views across the Solent towards the Isle of Wight.
Learn how William the Conqueror designated this as a royal hunting ground in 1079, shaping a landscape of open heath and woodland that endures today. In Lymington, hear of salt-making and clandestine coastal trade, then enjoy a free hour for cafés and browsing before returning to Bournemouth.
