WINCHESTER, THE WATERCRESS LINE, 

BEAULIEU HOUSE & GARDENS, THE NEW FOREST

  and BOMBAY SAPPHIRE DISTILLERY

 

Thursday, 27 August  -  Monday, 31 August, 2026.

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Staying at the Norton Park Hotel just outside Winchester.   Norton Park is a sumptuous four star hotel blending beautiful contemporary chic with historical elegance all set within 54 acres of peaceful grounds.   The hotel is spotlessly clean and staff are always friendly.   Rooms are spacious and cater for your every need.  We are booked in for Evening Dinner which has 3 choices of starters, mains and dessert, followed by tea or coffee.  Bed, and full English Breakfast every morning.   A lift serves all floors. 

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THURSDAY  -  We travel via the motorway in our Executive coach with toilet, washroom and drink facilities, making a comfort stop at a services.   A further stop will be made so you can have your lunch.  We should arrive at THE NORTON PARK HOTEL, late afternoon, and whilst we are checking in, your luggage will be taken to your rooms.   Evening Dinner will be served in the restaurant each evening.

 

FRIDAY  -  We meet the coach, after breakfast and make the short journey into WINCHESTER,  where we will spend the morning exploring this lovely city. Winchester is a city steeped in history, and is England’s ancient capital and former seat of King Alfred the Great, it also has a magnificent college, award-winning pubs and restaurants and a tempting array of independent shops. Today is Winchester City Street Market day and is located on Lower High Street and Middle Brook Street.

 

From here we travel the short distance to Laverstoke Mill, home of the famous BOMBAY SAPPHIRE DISTILLERY.  We are booked in for a Self Discovery Experience with interactive map, where you explore the distillery on your own terms, in your own time.   This Experience showcases the very best of Bombay Sapphire Gin, walk along the crystal clear River Test, take in the natural surroundings.   Visit the Heritage Room, discover the 10 exotic botanicals in the gin in the Glasshouses and Botanical Dry Room, then join our Hosts as they take you behind the scenes of the Dakin Still House, showing you the unique Vapour Infusion Distillation process which makes Bombay Sapphire Gin so exquisite.    Immerse yourself in the history of gin in the Gallery then your experience culminates in the Mill Bar,  “GIN O’CLOCK”.    Every guest receives a drink suited to their personal taste profile “on the house” in the Mill Bar.     After your taster, visit the Shop where you can purchase your Gin.

 

IMPORTANT:  Laverstoke Mill is a working distillery so they insist that guests wear suitable footwear.   PLEASE DO NOT WEAR OPEN-TOED SHOES OR HIGH HEELS on the experience.

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SATURDAY  -  Today our excursion is on THE WATERCRESS LINE.   We travel to ALRESFORD, a Georgian town of colour washed houses, specialist shops and delightful tea rooms, and is the hub of the UK watercress industry.  The towns history is punctuated with fires, despite the abundance of water in the area, the buildings you see today rose from the ashes of the great fires of the 17th century, you will have time to wander and have a cuppa, then we make our way to the Station for our ride on

The Watercress Line,  which is where the watercress that gave the line its name was sent all over the country by train from the goods platform you can still see behind the signal box.  Experience the nostalgic sights, sounds and smells of steam as you travel through 10 miles of beautiful Hampshire countryside to Alton.   Our coach will meet us after our train ride.

 

SUNDAY  -  Today we visit BEAULIEU, meaning Beautiful Place in French.   Admission includes Entrance into:

The Palace House which is simply beautiful and definitely worth a visit.  Home of the Montagu family since 1538 the magnificent rooms, costumed guides and tales from the butler, cook and housemaids give a fascinating insight into the workings of a Victorian household.   Among the rooms you can explore are the newly restored Victorian Kitchen and Lord Montagu’s library.  

The Gardens including the fragrant Victorian Flower Garden, the informal Wilderness Garden dating back to the 1770’s and the Ornamental Kitchen Garden.

Beaulieu Abbey, the 13th century ruins where you get to really take in the historical aspect of the estate.  There’s a film and exhibition of the daily life of its Cistercian Monk founders, leading into the picturesque serenity of the Cloisters and Herb Garden.

The National Motor Museum where you can see over 280 stunning vehicles on display from family cars of the 30s and 40s and classic cars of the 70s and 80s.

The World of Top Gear exhibition, featuring actual vehicles created by the presenters for some of their most ambitious challenges.

The Secret Army Exhibition, uncover Beaulieu’s history as a top secret training establishment for special agents of the Special Operations Executive (SOE) during World War Two.  Over 3,000 SOE agents were trained and who answered Winston Churchill’s call to set Europe Ablaze.

We Had One of Those Exhibition, you are invited to sit inside the cars on display to relive old memories and create new ones.

The Monorail is a really good way of seeing the park from a bird’s eye view, plus a replica 1912 open topped London Bus to tour the grounds, and we have unlimited rides on both of these.

 

MONDAY -  Luggage will be collected from outside your room and delivered to the coach.  We meet the coach, after breakfast and commence our journey home, making a stop for lunch, and a stop for a comfort stop.  During the journey Rob will give estimated arrival home time.

 

PRICE PER PERSON SHARING A TWIN/DOUBLE ROOM:  £645.00

SINGLE ROOMS:  £773.00, with either a Twin or Double Room for Sole Use.

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INSURANCE:   We suggest you take out your own insurance.