Kingdom of Wessex
Mini-Tour - Three days / Two nights
Wessex, the counties of the west Saxons and where English history
virtually begins. First dinosaurs roamed, then prehistoric man made it his
home. Centuries later Celtic tribes settled here before being colonised by
invading Roman armies. This is the literary landscape of Jane Austen and
Thomas Hardy. It is the site of major medieval cities and some fabulous
stately homes and gardens. It's timeless, it's pretty and it's a magical
three days!
DEPARTURE DATES & PRICES FOR YEAR 2003:
Wednesday to Friday: 09Apr, 23Apr, 07May, 21May, 04Jun, 19Jun, 09Jul,
23Jul, 06Aug, 20Aug, 03Sep, 24Sep, 08Oct, 22Oct
Price; $499 per person in a twin room. Single
supplement; $95
Includes three days touring, two night's accommodation with full
breakfasts and three course-dinners, all entrance fees and services of
driver/guide/companion.
DAY ONE - WEDNESDAY
Departing London we head Southwest, our first stop being at Jane Austen's
Chawton home. She spent the last eight years of her life here. The house,
where she wrote 'Sense & Sensibility' and 'Pride & Prejudice' amongst
others, is now open as a museum. Our next port of call is the ancient Saxon
capital of Winchester. There'll be time for lunch and for a guided walk
around the city. Sights include the cathedral, one of England's most famous
public schools and the legendary 'King Arthur's Round Table'. If there is
time, we will also visit the last monastery in England where pilgrims may
still claim the 'dole'.
DAY TWO - THURSDAY
First on today's touring agenda is Thomas Hardy's county of Dorset. This
is timeless England, where life appears to have stood still since Hardy's
own. We'll see Hardy's own cottage and that of T E Lawrence (of Arabia), and
in the regional centre of Dorchester, hear about Judge Jefferies, 'the
hanging judge'. Then to the Isle of Purbeck where we'll spend time exploring
Britain's 'Jurassic park' (and perhaps find a fossil or two!), the
impossibly pretty, picture-postcard village of Corfe Castle, and then the
quaint harbour of Swanage (still serviced by steam train). Our return to our
accommodation takes us to the resort of Bournemouth and through the New
Forest where we'll see the famed, tiny New Forest ponies
DAY THREE - FRIDAY
The magnificent Salisbury Cathedral, with its tall spire and Magna Carta
provide our early morning focus before we leave to visit Wilton House, one
of England's great treasure house stately homes. You'll fine sheer opulence
almost unbelievable. There are paintings by the great masters, fine
furnishings, fabulous antiques and a wonderful garden. Thence, via the Roman
fortress of Old Sarum, where you'll enjoy a guided walk, to another
treasure, the prehistoric Stonehenge. We've a great finish to our Wessex
experience as on route to London we explore the quaint villages of Hampshire
and visit either the Duke of Wellington's country home or view the
incredible Stanley Spencer wall murals at Burchclere.
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