Festive Wells and Bath
December is a wonderful time to travel, and this festive coach break to Wells and Bath perfectly captured the magic of the season. Departing Staffordshire, our journey south began with a very special visit to Chavenage House, the magnificent Elizabethan manor famously used as Trenwith in Poldark and recently in Rivals, as the home of the O’Hara family. Adding to the excitement, filming for Disney’s Rivals 2 was taking place during our visit, although apparently Aidan Turner, who plays both Poldark and Declan O’Hara, my personal favourite, had finished filming the day before! We had a fascinating guided tour by Caroline Lowsley-Williams, who really brought the House to life with her stories of its history in her own special way. We then enjoyed lunch at the welcoming Barn Café.
After lunch, we continued to the historic city of Wells, our base for the next two nights. We stayed at the Swan Hotel, ideally located close to Wells Cathedral, whose previous guests have included King Henry VII, Prime Ministers Ramsay MacDonald and Winston Churchill. Here we had a relaxed evening and an enjoyable dinner, rounding off a wonderful first day.
Saturday took us to the elegant city of Bath, where guests had plenty of free time to explore its many attractions and enjoy the famous Bath Christmas Market. Festive chalets lined the streets, offering unique gifts, seasonal treats and plenty of Christmas cheer. For those looking for a quieter moment, the Christmas Shoppers’ carol services at Bath Abbey provided a beautiful and uplifting experience.
On Sunday, the focus was on Wells itself. Guests enjoyed a leisurely morning discovering the city’s highlights, including the breathtaking Wells Cathedral and the historic Vicars’ Close, believed to be the only complete medieval street in England. Many also chose to visit the Bishop’s Palace and Gardens, adding a peaceful finale to the weekend.
We departed Wells in the early afternoon, returning to Staffordshire with festive spirits high and fond memories of a carefully paced, seasonal escape — a perfect blend of history, culture and Christmas atmosphere.
Should you wish to discover more about our UK escorted tour programme please contact us on 01785 818202 or visit our Escorted Tour page on our website.
