A Wonderful Wiltshire Christmas

Your holiday brimming with festivities begins in the cathedral city of Salisbury, a medieval market town, meeting the Tour Manager at our Georgian hotel, our base for this Christmas period. The Mercure White Hart Salisbury is located in the heart of the city, just five minutes' walk from the 13th-century Salisbury Cathedral.

After checking in, there's time at leisure to get to know the city, and wander the medieval streets which are steeped in history. You could browse the Christmas markets or soak up the festive atmosphere in a cosy bar, enjoying a drink around a crackling log fire. This evening we sit down to dinner at our hotel.

• Dinner

We get straight into the Christmas spirit after breakfast, with a festive wreath-making workshop. Feel free to be as creative as you please, using a selection of berries, dried flowers, and pine cones to build your own wreath. To add to the atmosphere, there's mulled wine, Christmas music, and hot chocolate. The wreath you make is yours to take home.

Next there's time to explore Salisbury independently. This afternoon we tour Salisbury Cathedral with a local guide, who takes us on a private journey of this 900 year old architectural gem, including a visit to the Chapter House to see one of the only 13th century copies of the Magna Carta. With time to explore independently, you may choose to visit the cathedral tower (payable on entry).

Later, we drive to the stately home of Longleat to experience the fantastic Festival of Lights event. With a different theme each year, the festival features hundreds of lanterns, which illuminate the landscaped grounds. As the winter sun sets, Longleat is transformed into a dazzling wonderland. Back at our hotel, we have a slightly later dinner this evening.

• Breakfast, Dinner

After breakfast, we take a short eight mile drive to one of England's most famous landmarks, the UNESCO World Heritage site of Stonehenge. Standing on Salisbury Plain for over 5000 years, Stonehenge is a wonder to behold and, as our visit coincides with the Winter Solstice, this is sure to be a magical experience.

On arrival there's time to explore the museum before boarding a shuttle bus to this extraordinary neolithic monument. There's time to wonder at the huge sarson stones, weighing over 25 tons each, and to ponder on this awe-inspiring, mysterious place.

After our trip into prehistoric Britain, we transfer to the small town of Calne for an indulgent afternoon at the Bowood Hotel & Spa. Here, we are greeted with a glass of prosecco before a festive afternoon tea experience, with seasonal sandwiches, delicious home-baked scones with mulled fruit jam & clotted cream and delicate pâtisserie made by the skilled pastry chef, alongside freshly brewed tea, coffee or hot chocolate. Arriving back at our hotel in the late afternoon, there's time to relax before dinner this evening.

• Breakfast, Dinner

It's Christmas Eve and the festivities are now in full swing. After breakfast, we drive to the station of Bitton for a highlight of our holiday. Boarding a private heritage carriage, exclusive to our group, we journey through the wintry countryside on the Avon Valley festive steam train. Our trip starts with a glass of mulled wine before we take our seats. Once the whistle blows and we leave the station, look out for a light dusting of snow (a special festive feature!) as we set off into picturesque scenery. Regardless of the weather, we will be warm and cosy in our carriage as we enjoy an afternoon tea served at our seats.

Arriving back at our hotel in the late afternoon there's free time before dinner, and you may like to wander around the Christmas Markets in town or cosy up in an inviting pub. After dinner, you may choose to attend the Salisbury Cathedral midnight mass, watch the candlelit King's College Carol Service on television, or simply relax with your favourite tipple.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Happy Christmas one and all! With no planned activities today you can enjoy the day entirely at your own pace, and be as active or relaxed as you wish. Naturally, we have all the Christmas Day meals covered. Once you have enjoyed a leisurely breakfast and opened presents, you might like to take a walk around the town to build up an appetite. Or simply relax in the hotel lounge, enjoying the warmth and festive cheer.

After a traditional Christmas day lunch, you might choose to watch the King's Speech or enjoy a post-lunch nap in your new favourite chair before we start to indulge once again with an evening buffet meal. Ending the day with a final flourish, our Christmas evening buffet includes mini desserts.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today, in true Boxing Day tradition, we have a slightly later start. After breakfast, we head off to another characterful little town to explore.

Devizes is a historic market town with a colourful Medieval past, a wealth of history and architectural heritage, with more than 500 listed buildings and a large Market Place in the heart of the town. Our first stop is the Wiltshire Museum where we are given an exclusive private guided tour followed by time to look around at our own pace. The museum's displays describe Wiltshire's history, ranging from Stonehenge and Roman times to a Saxon Gallery and the story of the formation of the Kingdom of Wessex. Lunch is provided by a local café, before time at leisure to explore the town under our own steam.

Once back at the hotel, there's time to unwind before the finale of our holiday, a Boxing Day dinner. We dine together for the last time this evening, enjoying a three-course meal, including chocolate treats.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Our festive week in Wiltshire has introduced us to the historic town of Salisbury, and the towns of Devizes. We've witnessed the iconic site of Stonehenge, the magnificent Salisbury cathedral and the magna carta. We've seen the sparkling lights of Longleat and enjoyed a taste of the Wiltshire countryside during our festive experience on a heritage train. After breakfast, our holiday draws to a close and you are free to check out and make your way home, or maybe continue to explore the amazing county of Wiltshire on your own.

• Breakfast