It is safe to say, we have a large variety of holidays coming up this year…
From the Cornish Coast for a cosy staycation, to the Dutch Bulbfields for a tulip river cruise and everything in between. There really is something for everybody here at Woods in 2023.
With so much on offer, it can make things a bit tricky when it comes to choosing a holiday that ticks all your boxes.
However, fear not, we have hand picked a few hotspots to help narrow things down for you.
Easter in Paignton
7th April 2023
During this glorious break at Paignton’s elegant three-star Palace Hotel, explore the South Devon coast by road, rail and river.
Itinerary
Day 1 After your pick up by taxi from your door, we travel west by coach, making suitable refreshment stops along the way and arriving at our hotel in Paignton to relax before dinner.
Day 2 We are joined by a local Blue Badge Guide today for a tour which travels along the coast through Teignmouth, Dawlish and Exmouth, then back through Kingsteignton and Newton Abbott. We visit Torquay mid-afternoon, so you have some time to look around the town.
Day 3 A full day excursion beginning with the Paignton & Dartmouth Railway. We travel on the steam railway from Paignton to Kingswear, which travels seven miles along the spectacular Torbay coast, and through the wooded slopes bordering the Dart Estuary. We then cross on the passenger ferry to Dartmouth where you have free time to explore. In the afternoon we board our boat for the one-hour cruise to Totnes, where our coach will be waiting. (Order of day depends on tides.)
Day 4 We depart after breakfast and have a stop in Winchester or Salisbury for shopping and a chance to get some lunch. We reach the local area mid-afternoon to be met by our taxis.
The Palace Hotel 3*
Our elegant three-star hotel set in beautiful gardens, is located on Paignton’s Esplanade with wonderful sea views. The hotel has lounges, terrace, bar and restaurant. Leisure facilities include indoor swimming pool, steam room, sauna, treatment rooms and gym. Bedrooms are equipped with TV, telephone, hairdryer and tea/coffee making facilities. The hotel has WiFi and a lift to all floors although some steps may be found throughout.
Gorgeous Guernsey
24th April 2023
Guernsey is renowned for beautiful coastal scenery, wonderful beaches, wildflowers and a delightfully mild climate.
Itinerary
Day 1 A taxi pick up from your home to the coach travelling to Southampton/Gatwick Airport for our flight to Guernsey. On arrival you are met by a local coach and transferred to your hotel.
Day 2 A morning excursion to see some of this beautiful island. You will have the option of returning to the hotel at lunchtime or being dropped in St Peter Port returning independently by bus or a taxi (not included).
Day 3 A free day. Our hotel is on the main bus route into St Peter Port and all around the island.
Beach or relax in the village of Herm Harbour where there are restaurants and a tavern. Depending on tides, there may be some steps to negotiate either on boarding in St Peter Port or on the return journey mid-afternoon.
Day 4 This morning we take a catamaran to the small Island of Herm. There will be time to walk to Shell Beach or relax in the village of Herm Harbour where there are restaurants and a tavern. Depending on tides, there may be some steps to negotiate either on boarding in St Peter Port or on the return journey mid-afternoon.
Day 5 A free day. Your tour escort may be able to arrange an optional visit to the peaceful Island of Sark. (Bookable at welcome meeting. Extra cost.)
Day 6 You will have some free time in the morning before being transferred by local coach to the airport for an afternoon flight. At Southampton/Gatwick you will be met by a Woods coach.
Peninsula Hotel 3*
The Peninsula Hotel is a firm favourite with Woods clients, who return again and again. The hotel is located on the north west coast in its own grounds on a grassy peninsula leading to a sandy bay. There is a spacious lounge, bar and pitch & putt course. Bedrooms have TV, telephone, hairdryer and hospitality tray. The hotel has WiFi and a lift. A regular bus service connects you to St Peter Port.
Killarney & The Ring of Kerry
4th June 2023
We return to Ireland for a classic tour taking in the spectacular Ring of Kerry and the glorious Dingle Peninsula. The Killarney Plaza Hotel is very popular with our regular customers and Killarney is the perfect base from which to explore this beautiful corner of the Emerald Isle.
Itinerary
Day 1 We travel across into Wales making stops for refreshments and a short visit to Llangollen before arriving in Caernarfon and our overnight hotel.
Day 2 We travel to Holyhead for the early crossing to Dublin, having breakfast on board. From here we continue to Killarney via Portlaoise and Limerick to our hotel.
Day 3 A full day guided tour of the Dingle Peninsula, which stretches 30 miles into the Atlantic Ocean and is dominated by the range of mountains that form its spine, and a coastline consisting of steep sea-cliffs and sandy beaches. For lunch we stop in Dingle, the only town on the peninsula. Our tour will go as far as Slea Head and return via Tralee.
Day 4 We have a guided tour of the Iveragh Peninsula, or as it is better known, the spectacular Ring of Kerry. The stunning drive provides an amazing insight into the ancient heritage of Ireland, and a landscape carved out of rock in the last ice age. Breath-taking scenery of glorious beaches beneath towering cliffs, high wild moorlands and dramatic lakes set in velvet mountains. We have included entrance to Kerry Bog Village, for an insight into life in the 18th Century during the famine years. We also stop at Waterville overlooking Ballingskelligs Bay and the pretty village of Sneem.
Day 5 A free day for you to explore the town of Killarney. You could take a lake cruise on board the ‘Lily of Killarney’, have a ride on a traditional jaunting cart, or visit Muckross House, one of Ireland’s foremost stately homes with folk and farm museums and beautiful gardens. (Entrances not included.)
Day 6 Leaving Killarney, we travel the southern route along to Cobh, where we visit the picturesque harbour town and the renowned Titanic Experience. Located in the historic White Star Line Building, the centre provides a unique and emotive view into the lives of those onboard with a guided tour featuring real passenger stories and eyewitness accounts of the tragedy. We continue to Wexford and our overnight hotel.
Day 7 A short drive takes us to Rosslare for the ferry to Fishguard. The drive home takes us through South Wales and over the Severn Bridge, making refreshment stops en route.
Killarney Plaza Hotel 3*
Located in the heart of Killarney town, our four-star hotel offers stylish and spacious surroundings with two bars and a leisure complex which includes indoor swimming pool, sauna, steam room, Jacuzzi and gym. Bedrooms are equipped with TV, WiFi, telephone, hairdryer, safe, ironing facilities and hospitality tray. The hotel has a lift.
Warner’s Alvaston Hall
24th July 2023
Alvaston Hall became a social hub for the wealthy people of Nantwich when it was built in 1896. More than 120 years later, it’s still immensely popular for the huge variety of activities and entertainment offered in its ‘just for adults’ hotel. We also visit Chester, and discover engineering old and new at the Anderton Boat Lift* and the remarkable centre at Jodrell Bank. Please note: *If the boat lift is not in action, we will still enjoy the cruise.
Day 1 After a taxi pick up from your home, we make our way north into Cheshire, making suitable stops along the way and arriving at our hotel late afternoon.
Day 2 A morning visit to Chester. Visit the half-timbered galleried shops in The Rows, walk the red sandstone city walls, visit the cathedral or just relax in one of the many teashops. We return to our hotel early afternoon to take part in the many activities or enjoy the facilities on offer.
Day 3 A morning excursion to Jodrell Bank, where you can visit the First Light Pavilion, unearth inspirational stories of pioneering scientists, explore the depths of space in an immersive planetarium experience, and visit the temporary exhibitions. Spend the afternoon in the medieval market town of Nantwich, or at our hotel.
Day 4 This morning we visit Anderton for a cruise including the famous boat lift, which was built in 1875 and provides a 50ft vertical link between the River Weaver and the Trent and Mersey Canal. The afternoon is free at Alvaston Hall.
Day 5 Leaving our hotel after breakfast, we have a stop at the National Memorial Arboretum before continuing our journey home.
Warner’s Alvaston Hall Hotel 3*
You will find few lovelier locations than the one occupied by the grand country estate of Alvaston Hall. The Grade II listed, half-timbered main house contains the superb Fountain Bar and The Market Kitchen, the cabaret restaurant where you will have entertainment each evening. There is a full range of leisure facilities and a full programme of activities available during the day. Our bedrooms are all equipped with TV, telephone, hairdryer, ironing facilities and hospitality tray. There is WiFi and a lift to some rooms.
West Yorkshire Trains & Gardens
18th September 2023
Autumn is a wonderful time to visit Yorkshire as the colours of the landscape change and we sample the delights of its pretty villages and towns, gorgeous gardens and historic trainlines.
Itinerary
Day 1 After our taxi pick ups, we travel north stopping in the beautiful town of Stamford en route. We arrive at our hotel late afternoon. Enjoy a welcome drink before dinner for a chance to meet your fellow guests.
Day 2 We begin with a visit to Bolton Abbey, a village made famous by its magnificent ruins, but also blessed with beautiful riverside and woodland walks, shops, tearooms and cafés. We take a return journey to the Embsay & Bolton Abbey Heritage Railway, before moving onto Skipton with free time to explore.
Day 3 We begin our day in Haworth, with time to explore the steep cobbled main street or visit the Brontë Museum. Later we enjoy a heritage train ride along the delightful Worth Valley, with many locations made famous by ‘The Railway Children’. Our final visit of the day is to Hebden Bridge, home to many artists, writers and musicians.
Day 4 A glorious day as we visit Harewood, one of Yorkshire’s most loved country houses with award-winning gardens and ‘Capability’ Brown parkland. The magnificent Georgian building is filled with an impressive art collection, exquisite furniture and fabulous Robert Adam interiors.
Day 5 Departing after breakfast, we head home via Lincolnshire and the Dartford Crossing making refreshment stops along the way. We arrive home early evening.
Cedar Court Hotel Leeds Bradford 3*
Our modern and spacious four-star hotel is situated to the south of Bradford and has a pleasant restaurant, lounge/bar and gym. Bedrooms have TV, telephone, WiFi, ironing facilities, hairdryer and hospitality tray. The hotel has a lift.
Autumn Lakes & Great Houses
16th October 2023
Find some hidden gems within the autumn colours of the gorgeous landscapes of the Lake District National Park.
Day 1 A morning collection by taxi before joining our coach for our journey to Cumbria, arriving in Kendal late afternoon.
Day 2 A wonderfully scenic trip through the Lakes, passing Windermere, Grasmere & Thirlmere on the way to Keswick. After free time here, we continue to Pooley Bridge at the top of Ullswater for a one-hour cruise with Ullswater Steamers down to Glenridding. We return to Kendal over the famous Kirkstone Pass.
Day 3 We take a cruise on England’s largest lake – Windermere, from Bowness to Lakeside, before visiting Holker Hall, a magnificent Victorian mansion steeped in history and surrounded by glorious gardens. We have a short stop in Grange-over-Sands before returning to our hotel.
Day 4 A free morning to explore Kendal or relax at our hotel. This afternoon we visit Sizergh, an imposing medieval manor steeped in history, filled with beautiful artefacts collected over eight centuries by 26 generations of the same family. Stroll through the autumn colours of the garden and see if you can spot the resident roe deer.
Day 5 Leaving our hotel after breakfast, we make our way southwards via the Cotswolds, reaching the local area late afternoon.
Riverside Hotel 3*
On the banks of the River Kent in the centre of Kendal, our three-star hotel was once an 18th-century tannery and has excellent views from the first-floor restaurant and many of the bedrooms. Leisure includes indoor swimming pool, gym, sauna, Jacuzzi and steam room. Bedrooms have TV, telephone, WiFi, ironing facilities, hairdryer and hospitality tray. The hotel has a lift, but there are some steps throughout.
Please remember that if you have any special requirements or requests, you can always contact our team using the details on our website or at the bottom of this blog post.
We will always do our very best to ensure your holiday is one of a lifetime.
For more information and to book…
Call 01243 870870
Email info@woodstravel.co.uk
Visit www.woodstravel.co.uk