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Day 1
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 2
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 3
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 find the
 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. Then 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.
NOTE: Includes: three days touring, two night's accommodation with
breakfasts and dinners, all entrance fees and services of driver/guide
and companion.
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