Description
Christmas in Bath
Grade 
Enjoy an Ads Ventures Christmas in beautiful South Cotswold countryside close to the elegant Regency City of Bath.
4 Nights
23rd to 27th December
Price: £895
NO SINGLE SUPPLEMENT
What could be better for Christmas than staying in the pretty village of Limpley Stoke in an elegant former country house, the Limpley Stoke Hotel, with log fires, comfortable lounges and beautiful views over the picturesque Cotswold countryside. On Christmas Eve we walk to and explore the City of Bath -you could even book Bath Spa for a couple of hours later in the afternoon and swim in the roof-top pool for a luxurious pre-Christmas treat! On Boxing Day we walk in the countryside to the north of Bath including over iconic Little Solsbury Hill. There will be a shorter walk on Christmas morning to build up an appetite for Christmas lunch back at the hotel.
Now, doesn’t that sound like the perfect Christmas?
Holiday highlights
- Walk the Bath Skyline Trail for beautiful views over the city itself and surrounding hills of Bath with time after the walk to explore this elegant city on Christmas Eve
- Discover the beautiful rolling hills and pretty villages to the north of Bath including the iconic Little Solsbury Hill
- On Christmas Day enjoy a shorter walk exploring the villages of the Avon valley and the Kennet and Avon canal before a full Christmas lunch back at the hotel.
- Enjoy a festive Christmas in Limpley Stoke Hotel with its log fires, comfortable lounges and views across the Avon valley.
Accommodation
Our home for this Christmas Break is the lovely Limpley Stoke Hotel. Originally built in the 18th century, this country mansion is as splendid as ever with outstanding views across the Avon valley as well as large superbly appointed lounges, open log fires and comfortable bedrooms. Nestled in beautiful South Cotswold countryside and situated a 10-minute drive (or days walk!) from the elegant Regency city of Bath with its Roman Baths, ultra-modern Thermae Spa with rooftop pool, delightful shopping lanes and pump room, this is the ideal location for our Christmas holiday.
All rooms are comfortable and ensuite and have tea and coffee making facilities. Room upgrades to a larger room with a valley view are possible. Please enquire if you are interested.
Single supplements and upgrades
- No single supplement
- Upgrades available. Please ask
Included
- En-suite half-board accommodation in comfortable en-suite rooms in Limpley Stoke Hotel
- Breakfast each morning and a three-course evening meal each evening, served in the hotel restaurant.
- Christmas Day Lunch
- Full day walks on Christmas Eve and Boxing Day and a morning walk on Christmas Day with a qualified and professional leader.
Not included
- Lunches on Christmas Eve and Boxing Day. These can be bought locally or ordered from the hotel.
- Incidental expenses such as drinks.
- Transport to one of the walks. This a short drive away.
Day-to-Day Itinerary
The following is the proposed itinerary for this short break. However, please bear in mind that in the event of local conditions changing, for example, due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances, then it may be necessary to change the itinerary.
Monday 23rd December: Arrive Limpley Stoke
Monday 23rd December: Arrive Limpley StokeArrive at Limpley Stoke Hotel and check into your room. Meet at 7pm for a short briefing about the week ahead before our three-course dinner is served in the hotel’s restaurant.
Meals included: Dinner
Christmas Eve: Bath and the Skyline Walk
Today we walk from the hotel along the Kennet and Avon canal to Dundas aqueduct. From here, after a short climb, we pick up the Bath Skyline Walk which as the name suggests offers lovely views over this beautiful city as well as many points of interest en-route. We drop down Widcombe Hill and across Bath fields into the city itself to arrive at the River Avon and shop-lined Pulteney Bridge.
The second part of the afternoon is free for you to enjoy the City of Bath.
You may wish to join the free 2 hour walking tour of the City, visit the Roman Baths or the famous Bath Spa to swim in the rooftop pool or come on a shorter walking tour of the city with me followed by free time to explore at your own pace.
12 km (7.5 miles) ascent/descent 200m
Meals included: Breakfast and Dinner
Christmas Day: The Avon Valley
Today we again walk from the hotel, this time heading out for views of the beautiful Avon Valley. Over the fields to Freshford, we climb to the village of Westwood and then descend through Friary Wood to the charming Iford Mill and Manor. A short climb takes takes us over to the lovely village of Avoncliff. From here we return to Limpley Stoke along the Kennet and Avon canal
9 km (5.5 miles) ascent/descent 230 m
Meals included: breakfast Christmas lunch and dinner
Boxing Day: Charlcome and Little Solsbury Hill
A beautiful walk for Boxing Day to the north of Bath.
We drive the short distance to Larkhall on the edge of the city. From here we climb gradually to Endsleigh passing through Charlcombe with its charming church and Beckford Tower sitting high above the City. We will stop for elevenses in the Charlcombe Inn on the edge of Bath racecourse and then continue down through the villages of Langridge and Woolley. After lunch we climb up onto Little Solsbury Hill, made famous by Peter Gabriel with his song of the same name. From here we can take in views over Bath and its eastern villages before heading back down to our cars at Larkhall.
15 km (9.5 miles) ascent/descent 380 m
Meals included: Breakfast and Dinner
Friday 27th: Farewells until next time!
After a good breakfast we say goodbye, until next time.
Meal included: Breakfast
Kit list
For walking each day:
- Good walking boots or shoes
- Waterproof jacket and trousers
- Lightweight, quick drying trousers
- Base layer
- Mid-layer such as a fleece jacket and an additional ‘spare’ layer depending on the forecast
- Walking socks
- Warm hat and gloves
- Day sack (25 litre capacity is a good size) to comfortably carry your kit, lunch and water
- Dry bag or rucksack cover to keep the contents of your daypack dry
- Water bottle
- Basic first aid kit (plasters, blister treatment, antiseptic etc)
- Some snacks to keep you going
- Walking/trekking poles (if you use them)
Maps
OS Explorer maps OL 155Bristol and Bath, 142 Shepton Mallet and Mendip Hills East
