Market Bosworth – Turkey & Tinsel

After joining the coach, we make our way to our hotel and check in.

Market Bosworth – Turkey & Tinsel

We visit the picturesque market town of Stamford, widely regarded as one of the finest stone towns in England, with a variety of 17th and 18th-century stone buildings, secret alleyways peppered with alehouses and no fewer than five medieval parish churches. Stamford has formed the backdrop for the television costume drama Middlemarch and the 2005 film adaptation of Pride & Prejudice.

We continue to Oakham, the county town of Rutland. This pretty, traditional market town boasts many historic landmarks including a Norman castle, unusual stocks and a town pump beneath the Butter Cross as well as the renowned Oakham School, which dates back to 1584. There’s also an abundance of eateries and stylish shops to visit. Later, we enjoy a traditional ‘Christmas’ dinner with all the trimmings back at the hotel.

Market Bosworth – Turkey & Tinsel

We visit the metropolitan city of Birmingham, known for its vast array of lively bistros, restaurants and shops but also its fine, colourful canals and beautiful parks and gardens. During the festive season, Birmingham’s famous Christmas Market adds a magical touch to the city. Stalls brimming with handcrafted gifts, traditional German treats and warm mulled wine create a vibrant and enchanting atmosphere, perfect for soaking up the holiday spirit.

Market Bosworth – Turkey & Tinsel

Our optional excursion takes us to Stratford-upon-Avon, Shakespeare’s birthplace and a busy, attractive Tudor town of timbered buildings, parks and, of course, theatres. Fans of the Bard can visit the house in which he was born, and there’s a chance to wander the riverside gardens or discover the town’s Swan Theatre, home of the Royal Shakespeare Company.

Market Bosworth – Turkey & Tinsel

After breakfast, we check out of our hotel and head home.

Visit Stratford-upon-Avon, home of the Bard, where Shakespeare’s Birthplace anchors streets of timbered Tudor houses. Stroll riverside lawns by the Royal Shakespeare Theatre and watch swans drift along the Avon, with time to browse bookshops, chocolatiers, quaint courtyards tucked behind half-timbered fronts, and tearooms.

Culture runs deep here—from Anne Hathaway’s Cottage in Shottery to Holy Trinity Church, Shakespeare’s resting place. This excursion is at additional cost and bookable on tour, offering flexibility to delve deeper into the playwright’s world.

Experience Birmingham’s festive heart as you browse the Frankfurt Christmas Market in Victoria Square and New Street. Wooden chalets glow with crafts, gingerbread and mulled wine (gluhwein), while the scent of bratwurst and roasted nuts fills the air amid carols and twinkling lights from festive stalls.

Balance the bustle with time to appreciate Birmingham’s historic canals and civic landmarks. Near Broad Street and the Library of Birmingham, the city’s industrial heritage meets modern architecture, offering inviting corners for photos, warm drinks and conversation.

Taste festive favourites during a traditional ‘Christmas’ dinner at Bosworth Hall, complete with roast turkey, rich trimmings and seasonal desserts. Crackers pop, toasts are raised and conversation flows in the hotel’s historic setting, infusing the evening with seasonal cheer. Expect music and décor that nod to classic British yuletide traditions.

Dine within the mansion’s oak-panelled main hall and beside its Tudor stone fireplace, features preserved from the 17th century. The Leicestershire countryside surrounds the estate, adding a sense of wintry calm between courses.

Explore the honey-stone lanes and market squares of Stamford, widely regarded as one of England’s finest stone towns. Admire five medieval parish churches, Georgian facades and alleys that set scenes for Middlemarch and Pride & Prejudice. Wander by the River Welland for characterful vistas and independent boutiques.

Continue into Rutland to Oakham, where a Norman castle (Great Hall) recalls centuries of county life. Spot the Butter Cross with its unusual stocks and the historic Oakham School (founded 1584). Cafés and indie shops lend a relaxed village-county feel.