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Great British Heritage

A Royal Christmas

Windsor takes on a regal glow in December, with glittering lights in the town and towering trees inside the Castle. Explore royal apartments decked for the season, enjoy an afternoon tea, and wander through festive markets, majestic residences and tranquil gardens – a pre-Christmas escape with a touch of pageantry.

All images of Windsor are with full credit and thanks to © Doug Harding

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what’s included

At A Glance

  • The Travel Editions Experience
    Our tours are thoughtfully crafted and meticulously planned, with every destination, hotel, excursion and stop along the way having been selected to form a truly memorable experience.
  • Meals Included
    All breakfasts and one dinner.
  • Handpicked Accommodation
    Two nights at the four-star Castle Hotel, Windsor based on shared occupancy of a twin/double room.
  • Discover a Royal Christmas in Windsor
    Enjoy a regal pre-Christmas escape in Windsor, where festive lights, historic streets and royal residences set the scene. Highlights include a guided walking tour of Windsor, festive afternoon tea, a special evening visit to Windsor Castle, a guided tour of Hampton Court Palace, time at the Hampton Court Christmas market and a seasonal visit to the Savill Garden.
  • Talks & Tours
    All tours and admissions as detailed in the itinerary.
  • Transfers & Tour Manager
    Coach transfers and tour manager throughout.
itinerary & excursions

Your Itinerary

Explore this incredible tour in detail and discover what makes each day so special. Below, you’ll find a full day-by-day breakdown of your journey, from the moment you arrive to your final farewell. Learn more about the highlights you’ll experience, the unforgettable places you’ll visit, and the unique moments that bring each destination to life. Whether you’re drawn by rich history, stunning landscapes or unforgettable cultural encounters, this itinerary gives you everything you need to picture your adventure and look forward to every step of the way.

Windsor - Credit Doug Harding

Day 1: Arrival in Windsor

Arrive independently from 15:00. Welcome drink and dinner tonight.

Windsor castle - Credit Doug Harding

Day 2: Windsor, Afternoon Tea and Evening Castle Visit

Begin your day with a guided walking tour of Windsor, exploring the town’s rich royal heritage, charming streets, and historic landmarks. After the tour, enjoy free time for shopping, with plenty of boutiques and festive displays to browse, followed by a festive afternoon tea at the hotel.

As evening falls, enjoy a private guided tour of Windsor Castle, one of the King’s official residences. Explore the magnificent State Apartments, beautifully adorned with Christmas trees and traditional decorations, creating a magical seasonal atmosphere. Return to the hotel for a relaxing evening, or for those who wish, visit the enchanting light trail in Windsor Great Park (at own expense).

Hampton Court Palace

Day 3: Hampton Court Palace, Christmas Market and Savill Garden

This morning, travel to Hampton Court Palace for a guided visit. Discover the grandeur of Henry VIII’s former home, then enjoy time to explore the Christmas market in the palace grounds.

Return to Windsor in the afternoon for a visit to the Savill Garden, a winter wonderland of seasonal colour, and the Queen Elizabeth Temperate House, a striking glasshouse filled with exotic plants. The tour concludes at the hotel by 17:00.

Availability

Choose Your Departure

Date
Departing From
Price From
Availability
09/12/2026
Windsor
£1,165
Solo Traveller Supplement From: £365
HOTELS

Tour Accommodation

Castle Hotel, Windsor
Nestled opposite Windsor Castle, The Castle Hotel blends centuries‑old charm with contemporary comfort, offering a gracious retreat in the heart of the historic town. Thoughtfully furnished rooms feature Egyptian cotton linens, coffee and tea-making facilities, minibars, and botanical toiletries. Guests can dine in the stylish Leaf restaurant or relax over cocktails on the garden terrace. The hotel’s inviting library and cosy bar are ideal for quiet reflection, while practical amenities—such as EV charging, valet parking, and concierge services—ensure a seamless stay. With riverside walks, castle tours, and charming High Street attractions just steps away, it’s a refined base for cultural discovery.

Hotel Website

our regular tours

Mobility Information

This tour has a moderate fitness rating, reflecting a fuller itinerary with a good balance of visits, walking and time spent exploring on foot.
 
Some visits may involve cobbled streets, uneven paving, slopes, steps, stairs, limited seating, or walking from the coach drop-off point to the entrance of a site or attraction. The exact demands will vary from day to day, and we highlight specific practical details within the itinerary wherever possible.
 
You should feel comfortable walking at a steady group pace, standing during visits and enjoying a full day of sightseeing. If you are unsure whether this tour is right for you, please contact us before booking.

Your questions answered

Tour FAQ

If you have a question, we are more than happy to answer it via email or phone, but you may find your answer below more quickly.

Simply complete our online booking form or give us a call on 020 7251 0045 between 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday where you can speak to a real person. A 20% deposit per person is required at the time of booking, to book your place. Payments by debit card or credit card incur no charge. 

You must pay for the balance of your holiday at least 12 weeks before departure. Please note: no reminder for balance payments is sent to you and are not receipted unless requested. If you book your holiday within 12 weeks of departure, full payment is required at time of booking. Please note that some tours may require final payment to be paid earlier than 12 weeks, due to financial commitment with suppliers. The exact date will be notified to you at the time of booking. Final joining instructions and documentation will be dispatched approximately 10 days before travel.

In almost all cases, the price includes your accommodation, meals as described in the itinerary, all excursions shown in the programme, and travel arrangements from the UK. Excursions are taken by private coach exclusively for Travel Editions guests. If anything is ever excluded from the price, it will be clearly marked as optional and payable locally, you won’t find any hidden extras on your final bill. Travel Editions operates a firm no-surcharge policy, so the price you are quoted is the price you pay.

The specifics vary by tour and are set out in your individual itinerary, but most of our tours depart from London, either by Eurostar from St Pancras International or by air. For rail tours, we advise allowing at least one hour before the Eurostar departure when planning your journey to London. For flights, all costs are based on economy class unless otherwise stated, and all times shown are local time. For tours in the UK, these often start at the hotel in question.

Flight upgrades and connections from regional airports are available on request and subject to availability, contact us on 020 7251 0045 or at tours@traveleditions.co.uk for details. We strongly recommend not booking non-refundable connecting travel until you have received your final joining instructions, which are sent around 10 days before departure and confirm all timings and meeting points.

Yes, and you’re very welcome. Single room supplements apply on most tours, reflecting the fact that single and double rooms are generally priced similarly by hotels. If you would prefer to share with another solo traveller of the same gender, we are happy to arrange this, simply let us know at the time of booking. Sharing is subject to another traveller in the same situation being booked on the same tour.

Each tour is accompanied by a dedicated tour manager, who in most cases will travel out from the UK with the group. On some tours, the tour manager will meet you at your destination station or airport, with full details being confirmed in your joining instructions 10 days before travel. Many of our tours are also led by expert lecturers or specialist guides whose knowledge brings each destination to life; details of who will be accompanying your particular tour are included in the individual tour pages and itineraries.

Fresh Adventures for Inquisitive Travellers

Why Choose Travel Editions?

Travel with purpose, passion, and like-minded companions, here’s what sets Travel Editions apart.

Designed for Travellers,
Not Tourists

Founded in 1994 offering unique cultural tours beyond typical high street itineraries.

Personal Service, Real People

Small, friendly team with no automated phone lines. Enjoy personal attention from our team.

Expert Tour Guides, Unique Insights

Industry-leading guides, some since day one, who speak local languages and have detailed knowledge.

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