Stratford New Year with a Day at the Races

Make your own way to our hotel in Stratford-upon-Avon, where you’ll meet our Tour Manager and enjoy dinner and a relaxing evening.

This morning we travel by coach to Cheltenham for a return journey on the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway. The Railway is a volunteer operated heritage railway which runs along the Gloucestershire and Worcestershire border. It uses part of the route of the former Great Western Railway's main line from Birmingham to Cheltenham and now operates steam and heritage diesel trains between Cheltenham Racecourse and Broadway through some of the most spectacular scenery in the Cotswolds. We board the train in Cheltenham and follow the line which commands wonderful views of the nearby sleepy hamlets and villages, with outstanding views over to the Malvern Hills and beyond. Our return journey takes us from Cheltenham Racecourse to Toddington. During the journey, we will enjoy a tea/coffee & mince pie.

On arrival back to Cheltenham we board our coach and head for the pretty Cotswolds village of Bourton–on-the-Water. Known for its traditional stone houses and low bridges, that straddle the River Windrush in the centre, this village is full of charm with plenty of independent shops and cafés, and riverside walks, take time to enjoy a meander through the village before we head to Sudeley Castle later this afternoon.

Situated in the Cotswold countryside, Sudeley Castle & Gardens offers 1,000 years of royal history and is home to Lady Ashcombe and the Dent-Brocklehurst family. Today, Sudeley Castle remains the only private castle in England to have a queen buried within the grounds – Queen Katherine Parr, the last and surviving wife of King Henry VIII – who lived and died in the castle. Henry himself, Anne Boleyn, Lady Jane Grey, Queen Elizabeth I and Richard III have all played a part in Sudeley’s story. It is now the home of Elizabeth, Lady Ashcombe, and her son, daughter, and their families. We arrive late afternoon at Sudeley and as darkness falls, we enter the gardens for the outdoor Spectacle of Light event.

Explore the beautiful night-time illuminated trail around Sudeley Castle's Stunning grounds and enchanted woodland. Gaze at the sparkling water features and the mesmerising carpet if colour, with light beams, lanterns and much more. Why not treat yourselves to festive warmers of spiced mulled wine and sprinkled hot chocolate as you make your way along the trail. We return by coach to our hotel for dinner this evening.

This morning, we enjoy an included walking tour of Stratford-upon-Avon where we will be joined by a local Blue Badge Guide. We explore this medieval market town steeped in culture and history and is the birthplace of William Shakespeare, born here in 1564 in a half-timbered house on Henley Street. After the tour the rest of the afternoon is at leisure to explore further, before making your way back to the hotel for the New Years Eve Gala Dinner to welcome in 2024!

Happy New Year! After a leisurely breakfast, we travel by coach to Cheltenham Racecourse for the New Years Day Races. There is no better way to enjoy a day at Cheltenham Races than from the Club/Tatts Enclosure, with access to all public areas and spectacular views from the main grandstand, including the pre-parade ring, views opposite the finishing line, steps at the front of the Princes Royal Stand, winners' enclosure and much more. Enjoy the spectacle and fun of the races, and you might even pick a wining horse! With plenty of places to eat and drink and so much to see, it will be a fun filled afternoon. Our coach returns us to the hotel for dinner this evening.

After breakfast we say goodbye to the lovely town of Startford-upon-Avon and depart at leisure