Christmas Carols, Canterbury & the Bright Lights of London

Depart your home city and arrive the next day in London Heathrow

Upon arrival at Heathrow Airport a private transfer will take you to the Macdonald Hotel Windsor for our overnight stay. In the evening, join the group for a welcome drink and canapés, followed by dinner.

Chartwell House & Ightham Mote

Today we visit Chartwell, Sir Winston Churchill’s beloved home from 1924 to the time of his death. The house is still home to many of the great statesman’s personal and political mementos, including an amazing collection of gifts he received from other world leaders. Amongst these notable possessions are magical touches of the season, such as themed trees and gorgeous garlands transforming the historic house into a cozy Christmas spectacle. Our other National Trust property of the day is a medieval moated manor house, once described by historian David Starkey as ‘the most beautiful and the most interesting of English country houses’. Called Ightham Mote, the name is derived from the Saxon name, Ehta, and ‘mote’ reflects the residence’s location being surrounded by a fairytale moat. Built nearly 700 years ago, atmospheric Ightham has been home to medieval knights, courtiers to Henry VIII and Victorian High Society. Inside, we are treated to a welcome talk and a delightful Christmas scene with music, lights and seasonal scents, all inspired by the history of the property.

Canterbury Cathedral & Canterbury Cathedral Lodge

We spend the day in historic Canterbury, where we start with a guided tour of Canterbury Cathedral, the oldest cathedral in England, dating back to Norman times. The cathedral is a wonder of awe-inspiring architecture, featuring a sweeping Gothic nave and cavernous crypt. In 1170, Archbishop Thomas Becket was murdered in the cathedral and ever since, it has been a site of Christian pilgrimage. The cathedral contains one of England’s largest collections of early medieval stained glass and it has recently been discovered that these windows may date as far back as the mid-1100s, making them some of the oldest examples in the world. With Christmas trees and a life-size nativity scene, the cathedral offers a magical atmosphere during the festive season.

Afterward, we visit Cathedral Lodge, a unique hotel set within the grounds of Canterbury Cathedral, where we enjoy a delicious afternoon tea and an insightful talk about the great Charles Dickens from a guest speaker. There is no better Christmastime setting than in the lodge, sitting by an open fire and hearing about A Christmas Carol and other Dickens classics.

Leeds Castle

We make our way to the magnificent Leeds Castle, a quintessential moated castle set in 500 acres of glorious parkland. Dating back to the 12th century, it has been a Norman stronghold, the royal residence of six medieval queens and was once home to Henry VIII and his first wife, Catherine of Aragon. Latterly, it became an elegant early 20th-century retreat for the influential and the famous. We learn more during our private guided tour while exploring the castle’s impressive state rooms, which are lavishly decorated for Christmas. A lovely two-course lunch concludes our time here.

Penshurst Place & Hever Castle

Today we visit Penshurst Place, a medieval manor house surrounded by stunning formal walled gardens and ancient parkland. Previously used as a hunting lodge by Henry VIII, it has been owned by the Sidney family since 1552 and is still a much-loved family home. We are treated to seasonal refreshments and a guided tour of the house, which still displays many of its original medieval and Tudor features, a magnificent Great Hall and State Rooms, beautifully decorated for the Christmas season.

Next is Hever Castle, the childhood home of Henry VIII’s second wife, Anne Boleyn, where we enjoy a two-course Christmas lunch. Dating back to the late 13th century, this double-moated castle is home to various historic artifacts, including Tudor portraits and furniture, as well as two prayer books inscribed by Anne Boleyn. The castle was lavishly restored by American millionaire, William Waldorf Astor, in the early 20th century, and is a real delight to visit. Take the time to admire the castle’s interior, beautifully decorated for the festive season with fairy lights, welcoming log fires and twinkling Christmas trees.

Bateman’s, Bodiam Castle & the Kent & East Sussex Railway

We visit Bateman’s, a 17th-century house which so enchanted Rudyard Kipling when he discovered it, that he made it his home in 1902. With its stone-mullioned windows and Sussex oak beams, it’s a lovely retreat that has been left virtually untouched since Kipling’s tenure here. During our visit, the ground floor is decorated for a Kipling family Christmas with a roaring fire, a traditionally decorated tree and a table set for dinner, all adding to the warming, festive feel of an Edwardian home at Christmas.

Today also includes Bodiam Castle, one of Britain’s most picturesque and romantic ancient fortifications. This archetypal 14th-century moated castle with a ruined interior gives us a glimpse of medieval splendor and boasts an original wooden portcullis, spiral

staircases, tower rooms and battlements. As we take in the enchanting decorations, just imagine medieval revelers enjoying a cup of Wassail, a festive delight made of mulled ale, curdled cream, roasted apples, eggs and spices.

We complete our day with a festive round-trip journey on the Kent & East Sussex Railway from Tenterden, the perfect way to watch the scenic Kent countryside pass by to the sounds of Christmas carols in the background.

Polesden Lacey

We visit one of the National Trust’s most popular properties, Polesden Lacey, described as a ‘delicious house’ by the Queen Mother on her honeymoon there. This peaceful countryside retreat is most closely connected to Dame Margaret Greville, who entertained royalty and the celebrities of her time with lavish parties at the manor, still home to her extensive collection of art and ceramics. During the magical festive period, the house is illuminated by twinkling trees, pretty decorations and immersive scenes while outside, the views out across the rolling Surrey Hills are beautiful.

Greenwich, Christmas Carols at the Royal Naval College & River Thames Sightseeing

We spend some time at leisure in Greenwich, home to fascinating attractions to suit all interests. Highlights include Cutty Sark, the National Maritime Museum, the Old Royal Naval College and the Royal Observatory (the site of the Greenwich meridian line) and Queen’s House, a former royal residence and now an art gallery. You may also like to walk through Greenwich Park or browse the stalls of antiques, crafts and treats at the popular market.

Later, a festive treat awaits at the Royal Naval College, Greenwich, where we enjoy a Christmas carols concert in the Chapel of St Peter and St Paul, performed by the award-winning Trinity Labin Choir. It’s a lovely setting to get into the holiday spirit, with its richly decorated ceiling, beautiful neo-classical interiors and exquisite altarpiece painted by Benjamin West. After the concert, enjoy some mulled wine and a mince pie before exploring the Painted Hall, known as ‘Britain’s Sistine Chapel’.

From Greenwich, we journey up the river on the Thames Clipper to Westminster Pier. This is the perfect chance to see landmarks illuminated after dark as the city transforms into a glittering spectacle, from the skyscrapers of the City of London and Docklands to historic icons such as the Tower of London and Tower Bridge.

London

Explore the iconic sights of London at your leisure today, from a trip on the London Eye to a spot of shopping on Oxford Street or a stroll through Hyde Park. There are plenty of world-class museums to discover too, including the Natural History Museum, the V&A, the Imperial War Museum and Churchill War Rooms plus famous art hubs such as the Tate Modern and the National Portrait Gallery. You may also wish to stock up on some gifts in the likes of Harrods, Selfridges and Liberty, or try the finest of festive treats in Fortnum & Masons. Later, we enjoy a farewell dinner together at our hotel.

Departure

A private transfer will take you back to Heathrow Airport for your return flight home.