Christmastime at Downton & Bath Festive Market

From a morning pickup in your local area, we travel by coach to the picturesque city of Bath to explore the beautiful Christmas market, set against the backdrop of the city’s historic streets and illuminated abbey. Browse the many stalls packed with handcrafted gifts. There’s time to enjoy dinner at your leisure in the city before continuing to the hotel for our overnight stay.

Christmastime at Downton & Bath Festive Market

After breakfast, we check out and head to the world-famous Highclere Castle, filming location for the much-loved Downton Abbey TV series and film. Beautifully decorated for the season, many of the rooms will be familiar to viewers of the series – both the Drawing Room and Dining Room forming the backdrop to the dryly withering put-downs delivered by Maggie Smith, as the Dowager Countess to some poor unfortunate relation. The Egyptian Exhibition in the cellars of the castle explores the achievements of the 5th Earl of Carnarvon, who discovered the tomb of Tutankhamun in 1922, while outside are distinctive gardens and spectacular parkland designed by ‘Capability’ Brown. The castle also has a gift shop and a tea room. We depart for home in the afternoon.

On day 2, after breakfast, we head to Berkshire to step inside Highclere Castle, dressed for the season with garlands and a towering tree in the Saloon. Wander the elegant Drawing Room and Dining Room—familiar from Downton Abbey—and sense the rhythm of a working country house as fires crackle and wreaths scent the air. There’s time to call into the tea room or browse the shop before we depart in the afternoon.

In the cellars, explore the Egyptian Exhibition, tracing the partnership of the 5th Earl of Carnarvon with Howard Carter and the discovery of Tutankhamun in 1922. Outside, stroll through parkland shaped by ‘Capability’ Brown, where sweeping lawns give cinematic views of the house. During this visit, collect your included copy of “Christmas at Highclere” by Lady Carnarvon—a keepsake of traditions, recipes and stories to enjoy long after day 2 ends.

On day 1, travel by coach to Bath and join the festive bustle of the Bath Christmas Market, set beneath the illuminated facade of Bath Abbey and along honey-coloured Georgian streets. Browse artisan chalets for hand-thrown ceramics, woollens and local preserves, warm your hands around mulled cider, and enjoy a free evening to choose dinner at your leisure before we continue to the hotel for our overnight stay.

Soak up Bath’s UNESCO setting, where the Roman Baths and graceful crescents frame the market’s glow. Carol singers often drift through the Abbey Quarter as you pause for photos and reflection by the west front of Bath Abbey or near Pulteney Bridge. This atmospheric visit unfolds in the late afternoon and evening of day 1, when lights, music and winter aromas fill the historic streets.