Famous for its fossil-foraging and its craggy cliff-faces, the spectacular Jurassic Coast runs 95 miles from Exmouth in Devon to Old Harry Rocks near Swanage in Dorset. On this magical five-day break you'll visit some of its most charming villages and rock formations by train and by boat.
You'll spend four nights at the former summer home of the Duke of Norfolk, the four-star Norfolk Royale in the centre of Bournemouth, complete with heated indoor pool with sauna, restaurant and cosy lounge bar.
From your hotel base, you will get to spend a day on the wonderful Watercress Line, which transported watercress from the beds in Arlesford up to London and the Midlands between the 1890s and 1960s. You'll also travel on the historic Swanage Railway and the Sea Train as well as taking a trip to Exbury Gardens and Beaulieu National Motor Museum.
All rail and boat trips as mentioned in the itinerary
* PLEASE NOTE price is based on two sharing and subject to availability at time of booking. Single supplement £120. Deposit: £150. **For full deposit and cancellation info, go to arenatravel.com/travel-information/booking-conditions. Exact order of itinerary may vary according to local conditions and at the tour manager's discretion. Holidays are operated by and subject to the booking conditions of Arena Travel.
Make your own way to your hotel in Bournemouth, where you meet your Tour Manager and enjoy a relaxing evening with dinner.
After breakfast at the hotel your coach transfers you to Poole quay to join the spectacular Sea Train adventure. Begin with a boat ride from Poole to Swanage and then join the Swanage Railway for a fantastic round trip along the eastern tip of the enchanting Jurassic coastline. You'll pass the famous Old Harry Rocks chalk formations, the quaint village of Harman's Cross and the ruins of Corfe Castle in the stunning village of Corfe before continuing along the line until you reach Norden. From here you'll retrace your route back to Poole quay. Return to the hotel by coach for dinner.
After breakfast join your coach and head to Alresford Station. From here you have unlimited access on the Mid-Hants Railway; affectionately known as the Watercress Line. Between the 1890s and 1960s the Mid-Hants Railway was involved in transporting watercress from the beds in Alresford up to London and the Midlands, before being closed by the British Railways in 1973. However, thanks to many eager volunteers, the line has gradually been restored and re-laid, re-opening completely in 1985. After a day of leisurely exploring, your coach will take you back to your hotel to enjoy dinner and a relaxing evening.
This morning journey by coach to Exbury Gardens, famous for the Rothschild collection of rhododendrons, azaleas, camellias and rare trees and shrubs. Here you have free time to explore the garden and its woodland walks, art and sculpture exhibitions. You can also enjoy an included ride on the narrow-gauge steam railway that follows a scenic route through parts of the gardens previously inaccessible to the public. This afternoon your coach will take you to Beaulieu National Motor Museum for an afternoon at leisure. There's so much to see and experience at Beaulieu, why not take a tour on the mono-rail or open-top bus, explore the extensive motor museum and its fascinating collection of cars and transport, or visit the palace house and gardens. Dinner is served in the hotel this evening.
After breakfast you are free to check out and depart at your leisure.
Part of the BW Signature Collection
A former summer home of the Duke of Norfolk, Norfolk Royale, BW Signature Collection is a four-star Edwardian hotel right in the centre of Bournemouth, just a short stroll from the resort's major attractions. The elegant hotel has a heated indoor pool with sauna, Art-Deco inspired restaurant serving locally sourced, seasonal British cuisine and a cosy lounge bar.
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* PLEASE NOTE price is based on two sharing and subject to availability at time of booking. Single supplement £120. Deposit: £150. **For full deposit and cancellation info, go to arenatravel.com/travel-information/booking-conditions. Exact order of itinerary may vary according to local conditions and at the tour manager's discretion. Holidays are operated by and subject to the booking conditions of Arena Travel.