History in the Heart of Hampshire

HISTORY IN THE HEART OF HAMPSHIRE

 

25 – 29 August 2025

Monday - Friday

5 Days

From £615

 

We explore the history of Hampshire as we visit some of the most iconic locations in the area, including Winchester Cathedral and Jane Austen’s House.

 

 

HOLIDAY HIGHLIGHTS

 

Jane Austen’s House   |   Winchester Cathedral   |   The Vyne House   |   Portsmouth   |   Portsmouth Museum & Art Gallery   |   Fort Nelson

 

DAY ONE – Arrival

We depart from your home and travel to Hampshire arriving late afternoon you will have time to relax before dinner this evening.

 

DAY TWO – Jane Austen’s House and Winchester Cathedral

Today we have the day in Winchester, first we will visit Jane Austen’s House, the most treasured Austen site in the world. This Hampshire cottage was Jane Austen’s home and birthplace of her six beloved novels.  Today it is a cherished museum, it houses an unparalleled collection of Austen treasures. Highlights include Jane’s jewellery, letters, first editions of her novels and the table at which she wrote her much loved novels. You’ll step back in time to 1816 and follow in Jane’s footsteps as you explore the rooms where she lived and wrote. A series of temporary exhibitions explore Regency life and Jane Austen’s works.  The pretty garden is a perfect place to relax after your visit and of course, you’ll want to visit our Gift Shop which stocks a unique range of gifts and books. 

We then head into Winchester where we visit Winchester Cathedral, one of Southern England's most historic buildings, it boasts centuries of English heritage, magnificent architecture, priceless treasures and works of art. Once the seat of Anglo-Saxon and Norman royal power, this fascinating site has played host to Kings and Queens for centuries, including William the Conqueror, Mary Tudor, and Prince Philip of Spain.

You then have some free time to explore Winchester at your leisure before we return to our hotel.

 

DAY THREE – The Vyne House

This morning we travel to the Sandys and Chute families Vyne; a home for over 500 years. Once an important Tudor palace, this atmospheric mansion has some illustrious connections, from Henry VIII to Jane Austen.

Discover intriguing stories about The Vyne's former residents. With Grecian pillars, sweeping balconies and plasterwork like royal icing, the 18th-century staircase hall is a sight to behold, while on the first floor, The Vyne's rare-surviving Tudor Oak Gallery features 16th-century carved panelling.

Tucked away in a ground-floor anteroom, examine the intricate detail on Lattimo plates hand painted with 18th-century Venetian scenes. In the stone gallery, you’ll find a Tudor roundel that emulates the style and grandeur of the ancient world. The Vyne's Pre-Reformation chapel showcases the earliest depiction of Henry VIII in stained glass.

Why not visit the tearoom, and shop whilst you are here.  Please note there is an accessible was through the gardens with hard gravel pathways. 

We’ll then make our way back to our hotel where we have time to relax before dinner this evening.

 

DAY FOUR – Portsmouth, Portsmouth Museum and Art Gallery and Fort Nelson

Today we make our way south to Portsmouth where we visit the Portsmouth Museum and Art Gallery. Here you can take a walk-through Portsmouth’s heritage, discover the world of Sherlock Holmes, see fascinating works of art, trace the history of Portsmouth FC and much more.

We’ll have some time in Portsmouth for lunch, before we then head for Fort Nelson. Overlooking Portsmouth Harbour, this restored Victorian fortress is packed with artillery from across the world. Highlights include a 15th-century Turkish bombard cannon, a gigantic 200-tonne railway howitzer, and the infamous ‘Big Babylon’ Iraqi supergun. With over 19 acres of tunnels, ramparts, and artillery to explore, Fort Nelson is a space you can enjoy.

 

DAY FIVE – Departure

After breakfast this morning we leave our hotel and make our journey home with comfort stops en route.

 

YOUR HOLIDAY INCLUDES

• Luxury coach travel

• Home pick-up

• 4 nights accommodation, dinner & breakfast

• Porterage on arrival and departure

• Welcome tea/coffee on arrival

• Tea/coffee after dinner each evening

• Admission to Jane Austen’s House

• Admission to Winchester Cathedral

• Admission Portsmouth Museum and Art Gallery

• Admission to Fort Nelson

• The Vyne House

• Free use of leisure facilities (not including treatments).

 

NORTON PARK HOTEL & SPA, WINCHESTER

Norton Park Hotel in Hampshire is set across 54 acres of blissful parkland just outside historic Winchester, with everything you need for a great stay, including relaxing spa treatments, an indoor pool and neighbouring walking trails. The hotel also has a lift.

YOUR HOLIDAY INCLUDES

Luxury coach travel

Home pick-up

4 nights accommodation, dinner & breakfast

Porterage on arrival and departure

Welcome tea/coffee on arrival

Tea/coffee after dinner each evening

Admission to Jane Austen’s House

Admission to Winchester Cathedral

Admission Portsmouth Museum and Art Gallery

Admission to Fort Nelson

The Vyne House

Free use of leisure facilities (not including treatments).

 

NORTON PARK HOTEL & SPA, WINCHESTER

Norton Park Hotel in Hampshire is set across 54 acres of blissful parkland just outside historic Winchester, with everything you need for a great stay, including relaxing spa treatments, an indoor pool and neighbouring walking trails. The hotel also has a lift.

 

 HOTEL FACILITIES INCLUDE

General	Rooms	Accessibility
4 star	Tea/coffee making facilities	Wheelchair accessible
Bar	Television	Lift
Restaurant	Wifi
Lounge
Swimming Pool
Gym

 

DAYS	TOUR DATE	DEPARTS	TERMS	SUPPLEMENT
5	25 – 29 AUG 2025	MONDAY	£615	£144 SINGLE
JONES HOLIDAYS INSURANCE			£27.28

 

 

 

Rooms are allocated on a first come first served basis and are limited. If no single supplement applies this is limited to the tour single room allocation and therefore additional cost may apply.  Prices displayed are per person unless otherwise stated. If door-to-door pick-up is included there may be additional charges for out of area. Itineraries and hotel inclusions may be subject to change. Seat numbers on the coach may be subject to change. Issues whilst on tour must be raised in the first instance with the driver. Covid-19 restrictions may apply. When making bookings you accept on behalf of yourself and your party the terms in our Trading Charter which can be found in our brochure, on our website at http://www.jonesholidays.co.uk/Jones-holidays-trading-charter, or a copy can be requested from our Sales office.  If your holiday is more than 56 days from departure, we offer a 7-day cooling off period where a full refund will be offered from the date of the initial confirmation invoice (with the exception of flight holidays).

Norton Park Hotel, Spa & Manor House Jane Austen's House Visit Winchester Portsmouth Museum and Art Gallery The Vyne