Weave your Way to a Feast of Museums
Sun 16 August - Thurs 20 August 2026: A 5 Day Escorted Coach Holiday to Hampshire with Jones Holidays staying at The Elvetham Hotel, Hampshire
Book NowWEAVE YOUR WAY TO A FEAST OF MUSEUMS
16 – 20 August 2026
Sunday – Thursday
5 Days
From £799
Embark on a delightful journey through history, culture, and natural beauty with a holiday that takes you to some of England’s most charming and iconic destinations.
Start with a nostalgic ride on the Mid Hants Railway – Watercress Line, where vintage steam trains transport you through picturesque countryside. Discover the artistry of silk weaving at the Whitchurch Silk Mill, a working mill steeped in heritage. Step back in time at the Milestones Living Museum, where cobbled streets and vintage shops bring the past to life. Immerse yourself in literary history at Jane Austen’s House, the beloved author’s former home, and round off your adventure with a visit to Gilbert White’s House, celebrating the pioneering naturalist and his love for the natural world. This holiday promises a perfect blend of history, literature, and scenic charm.
HOLIDAY HIGHLIGHTS
Lichfield | Mid Hants Railway – Watercress Line | Whitchurch Silk Mill | Milestones Living Museum | Jane Austen’s House | Gilbert White’s House
DAY ONE – Arrival
We depart from your home and travel, first stopping at Lichfield for a break, and perhaps some lunch, before we continue to Hampshire, arriving at our hotel late afternoon.
DAY TWO – Mid Hants Railway (Watercress Line) and Winchester
This morning, we enjoy a ride on the Watercress Line, from Alton to Alresford, this heritage railway offers you a scenic and enjoyable experience through the Hampshire countryside. We’ll then meet our coach again and make our way to Winchester, a city steeped in history, Winchester is England’s ancient capital and former seat of King Alfred the Great. You’ll have some free time here before we return to our hotel late afternoon, with time to relax before dinner this evening.
DAY THREE – Whitchurch Silk Mill and Milestones Living History Museum
This morning, we visit the Whitchurch Silk Mill; nestled in the charming Hampshire countryside, a living testament to England's rich industrial heritage. As the oldest working silk mill in the UK, it continues to weave exquisite silk fabrics on its historic looms, offering you a unique glimpse into the art of silk production. The mill's picturesque riverside setting, combined with its fascinating history and hands-on experiences, makes it a great visit, and you can enjoy refreshments in the Riverside Café, or browsing the exclusive silk gifts in the shop, Whitchurch Silk Mill beautifully blends tradition with modern-day charm.
This afternoon we then visit the Milestones Living History Museum and find out what life used to be like in Hampshire as you stroll along the museum’s cobbled streets and travel through time from the age of the Victorians to the 1930s, 1940s and beyond.
We’ll then make our way back to our hotel, with time to relax before dinner this evening.
DAY FOUR – Jane Austen's House Museum and Gilbert White`s House
This morning after breaks, we enjoy a wonderful visit to Jane Austen’s House - the most treasured Austen site in the world. Here, in this inspiring Hampshire cottage, Jane Austen lived for the last eight years of her life. And her genius flourished and she wrote, revised and had published all six of her globally beloved novels: Sense and Sensibility, Pride and Prejudice, Mansfield Park, Emma, Northanger Abbey and Persuasion.
Jane Austen’s House is a cherished museum with an unparalleled collection of Austen treasures, including items of furniture, paintings and household objects. You will discover Jane’s personal letters and first editions of her novels, items of jewellery that she cherished, portraits of her friends and family, and the tiny writing table at which she wrote.
Explore the rooms where Jane lived and wrote, from the sunny Drawing Room where she practiced the piano every morning, and where she read Pride and Prejudice aloud to a neighbour on the very day she received her first copy, to the vibrant green Dining Room where she wrote, and the cosy bedroom upstairs that we believe she shared with her beloved sister Cassandra.
This afternoon we then visit the Gilbert White & The Oates Collections. Gilbert White was aged 7 or 8 when the White family moved from the Vicarage on Selborne’s Plestor, to this house, called ‘The Wakes’ (named after the Wake family who had lived there previously). At that time, the property would have been no more than a ‘two up, two down’ but over subsequent years several extensions and additions have been made, creating the long, sizeable house you’ll see today.
The rooms have been restored following descriptions in White’s own correspondence and include a chair he used at Oriel College, Oxford (loaned from the College), items of contemporary furniture, family portraits and bed hangings embroidered for him by his aunts.
Before returning to our hotel in time to relax before dinner this evening.
DAY FIVE – Departure
After breakfast this morning we depart 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
Tea/coffee after dinner each evening
Mid Hants Railway single journey
Whitchurch Silk Mill guided tour and sandwich lunch with cake
Milestones Living History Museum
Jane Austen’s House
Gilbert White’s House with introductory talk.
ELVETHAM HOTEL, HAMPSHIRE
This historical country estate dates back to Elizabethan times and enjoyed frequent visits by Queen Elizabeth I, being owned by the Seymour family. The beautiful property is now transformed into a 61 bedroom hotel with multiple impressive period features and extensive grounds. Each of the bedrooms are equipped with modern facilities including hairdryer, iron & ironing board, and room safe, and are divided between the main house and the adjacent stable block. The main building does not have a lift, but there are multiple ground floor rooms in the stable block. The public areas on the ground floor include an impressive lounge, traditional bar, and a bright conservatory style restaurant opening out onto a large terrace.
All single rooms double/twin for sole use
DAY ONE
We depart from your home and travel, first stopping at Lichfield for a break, and perhaps some lunch, before we continue to Hampshire, arriving at our hotel late afternoon.
DAY TWO
This morning, we enjoy a ride on the Watercress Line, from Alton to Alresford, this heritage railway offers you a scenic and enjoyable experience through the Hampshire countryside. We'll then meet our coach again and make our way to Winchester, a city steeped in history, Winchester is England's ancient capital and former seat of King Alfred the Great. You'll have some free time here before we return to our hotel late afternoon, with time to relax before dinner this evening. ure.
B, DDAY THREE
This morning, we visit the Whitchurch Silk Mill; nestled in the charming Hampshire countryside, a living testament to England's rich industrial heritage. As the oldest working silk mill in the UK, it continues to weave exquisite silk fabrics on its historic looms, offering you a unique glimpse into the art of silk production. The mill's picturesque riverside setting, combined with its fascinating history and hands-on experiences, makes it a great visit, and you can enjoy refreshments in the Riverside Café, or browsing the exclusive silk gifts in the shop, Whitchurch Silk Mill beautifully blends tradition with modern-day charm.
This afternoon we then visit the Milestones Living History Museum and find out what life used to be like in Hampshire as you stroll along the museum's cobbled streets and travel through time from the age of the Victorians to the 1930s, 1940s and beyond.
We'll then make our way back to our hotel, with time to relax before dinner this evening.
DAY FOUR
This morning after breaks, we enjoy a wonderful visit to Jane Austen's House - the most treasured Austen site in the world. Here, in this inspiring Hampshire cottage, Jane Austen lived for the last eight years of her life. And her genius flourished and she wrote, revised and had published all six of her globally beloved novels: Sense and Sensibility, Pride and Prejudice, Mansfield Park, Emma, Northanger Abbey and Persuasion.
Jane Austen's House is a cherished museum with an unparalleled collection of Austen treasures, including items of furniture, paintings and household objects. You will discover Jane's personal letters and first editions of her novels, items of jewellery that she cherished, portraits of her friends and family, and the tiny writing table at which she wrote.
Explore the rooms where Jane lived and wrote, from the sunny Drawing Room where she practiced the piano every morning, and where she read Pride and Prejudice aloud to a neighbour on the very day she received her first copy, to the vibrant green Dining Room where she wrote, and the cosy bedroom upstairs that we believe she shared with her beloved sister Cassandra.
This afternoon we then visit the Gilbert White & The Oates Collections. Gilbert White was aged 7 or 8 when the White family moved from the Vicarage on Selborne's Plestor, to this house, called 'The Wakes' (named after the Wake family who had lived there previously). At that time, the property would have been no more than a 'two up, two down' but over subsequent years several extensions and additions have been made, creating the long, sizeable house you'll see today.
The rooms have been restored following descriptions in White's own correspondence and include a chair he used at Oriel College, Oxford (loaned from the College), items of contemporary furniture, family portraits and bed hangings embroidered for him by his aunts.
Before returning to our hotel in time to relax before dinner this evening
DAY FIVE
After breakfast this morning we depart our hotel, and make our journey home, with comfort stops en route.
B=Breakfast Included, D=Dinner Included
YOUR HOLIDAY INCLUDES
Luxury coach travel
Home pick-up
4 nights accommodation, dinner & breakfast
Porterage on arrival and departure
Tea/coffee after dinner each evening
Mid Hants Railway single journey
Whitchurch Silk Mill guided tour and sandwich lunch with cake
Milestones Living History Museum
Jane Austen’s House
Gilbert White’s House with introductory talk.
ELVETHAM HOTEL, HAMPSHIRE
This historical country estate dates back to Elizabethan times and enjoyed frequent visits by Queen Elizabeth I, being owned by the Seymour family. The beautiful property is now transformed into a 61 bedroom hotel with multiple impressive period features and extensive grounds. Each of the bedrooms are equipped with modern facilities including hairdryer, iron & ironing board, and room safe, and are divided between the main house and the adjacent stable block. The main building does not have a lift, but there are multiple ground floor rooms in the stable block. The public areas on the ground floor include an impressive lounge, traditional bar, and a bright conservatory style restaurant opening out onto a large terrace.
All single rooms double/twin for sole use
HOTEL FACILITIES INCLUDE
| General | Rooms | Accessibility |
| 4 star | Tea/coffee making facilities | Wheelchair accessible |
| Bar | Television |
|
| Restaurant | Wifi |
|
| Lounge |
|
|
GROUP BOOKINGS
Looking to take a group, if you book 20 places or more on this tour the tour organiser will go Free of Charge.
| DAYS | TOUR DATE | DEPARTS | TERMS | SUPPLEMENT |
| 5 | 16 – 20 AUG 2026 | SUNDAY | £799 | £120 SINGLE |
| JONES HOLIDAYS INSURANCE | £36 |
| ||
At Jones Holidays, we believe solo travellers deserve fair prices and peace of mind. That's why our Single Supplement Price Promise ensures you only pay what we pay—nothing more. If hotels charge us a single supplement, we’ll pass it on without adding a penny extra; that’s our promise to you.
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).
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Below is a list of pick-up points available on this tour.
Below is a list of pick-up points available on this tour.
| Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Bodelwyddan | Bodelwyddan, Marble Church |
| Broughton | Broughton, Broughton Layby on A5104 |
| Chester, (Holiday Inn) | Chester, Holiday Inn South - Layby Outside |
| Chirk | Chirk, Moreton Park Garden Centre |
| Colwyn Bay | Colwyn Bay, Railway Station |
| Holywell | Holywell, Bus Station |
| Llandudno Junction | Llandudno Junction, Train Station Car Park |
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