Step into Christmas in Windsor & Oxford 2025

Duration

5 Days

Departure Dates

2nd December 2025

Prices from

£1,045 Per person

Step into Christmas with our new festive tour exploring the history of Berkshire. Visit Oxford Castle and climb St Geroge's Tower, tour Windsor Castle in its spectacular winter glory, and soak in the festive atmosphere at Waddesdon Manor Christmas Markets. Cruise the River Thames, indulge in a festive afternoon tea, and enjoy free time in Oxford and Windsor to create Christmas memories.

Overview
Itinerary
Further Information
Departure Dates
Useful Resources

Reading ©Shutterstock

5 days from £1,045

DEPARTS

Tuesday 2 December 2025

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

Learn about the fascinating city of Oxford with a guided walking tour
Climb to the top of St George’s Tower at Oxford Castle
Explore Oxford prison and the 900-year-old crypt
Visit the wonderful Windsor Castle decorated for Christmas
Relax on a leisurely, round-trip cruise on the River Thames with a festive afternoon tea
Soak in the festive atmosphere at Waddesdon Manor Christmas Markets*
Enjoy free time to explore Oxford, Windsor, and Bicester

Also included in your Tour Fare:

4 nights’ bed & breakfast plus 2 evening meals and 1 light refreshment
Services of experienced Railtrail Tour Manager

DAY 1

Journey from your home station to Reading and, on arrival, we will make our way to the Malmaison, our hotel for the next four nights. We enjoy free time to explore our new surroundings before meeting for our first evening meal together.

DAY 2

After breakfast today, we take the train to Oxford where we are greeted by our knowledgeable guide for our walking tour of Oxford and a visit to Oxford Castle & Prison. Here, we will climb the 101 steps to the top of St George's Tower, one of the oldest buildings in Oxford with fantastic views over the city, and we will explore the prison and descend into the 900-year-old crypt. This afternoon is spent at leisure, you may wish to explore the architectural delights of the historical city, visit fascinating museums, or maybe indulge in some Christmas shopping.

DAY 3

Today, after breakfast, we walk to the station and board our train to Windsor & Eton for our exciting tour of Windsor Castle. Built in the 11th century, Windsor Castle is the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world and has been associated with the British Royal family for centuries. In the afternoon, we take a short stroll to Windsor Promenade where we board our boat for a relaxing two-and-a-half-hour cruise down the River Thames enjoying a festive afternoon tea on board.

B, LR

DAY 4

This morning, we take the train from Reading to Bicester where we enjoy some free time to explore this lovely market town before our coach transfers us to Waddesdon Manor. Here, we can explore the festively decorated interiors, admire the beautiful artwork collections, and soak in the festive atmosphere of their annual Christmas Market* strolling through the charming wooden chalets. Afterwards, we return to Reading in time for our final evening meal together.

B, D

DAY 5

After breakfast, we bid farewell to Reading and make our way to the station for our homeward journeys.

*Important Note: Waddesdon Manor Christmas events have not been confirmed for 2025 at the time of tour compilation. We do reserve the right to make substitutions and changes to the itinerary should it be deemed necessary.

B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner

HOTEL

Malmaison, Reading

Ideally located opposite the railway station and within an historic station hotel, the Malmaison offers industrial chic style and a contemporary restaurant serving seasonal dishes. The stylish bedrooms provide an en-suite bathroom with a power shower and complimentary toiletries, a hairdryer, digital TV, ironing facilities, free Wi-Fi, and tea/coffee making facilities.

FARES

Fare Region	First*	Standard
London: Paddington	£1,129	£1,099
Greater London	£1,169	£1,109
South of England	£1,199	£1,155
East Anglia	£1,185	£1,139
South West	£1,289	£1,215
Heart of England	£1,195	£1,135
Midlands	£1,345	£1,205
Yorkshire	£1,325	£1,205
North East	£1,359	£1,225
North West	£1,345	£1,205
South Wales	£1,275	£1,189
North Wales	£1,395	£1,235
Scotland	£1,415	£1,255
Join & Leave at Hotel	£1,070
Single Traveller Supplement	£450
Deposit	£105

*Please Note: Some local and regional train services are Standard Class seating only and First Class ticket holders will travel in standard class accommodation for these sections of their journey.

£10 tour discount for holders of National Railcards

£15 tour discount for National Trust Members

4 nights’ bed & breakfast plus 2 evening meals and 1 light refreshment

Rail travel & seat reservations from your Home Station to Tour Base (Standard or First Class)

Rail & coach travel, with transfers as described

All excursions & admissions as detailed

Services of experienced Railtrail Tour Manager

Important – Please select the number of passengers before proceeding to ‘Book Now’

Number of passengers:

Date	From Price	Book Now	Callback
2nd December 2025	£1,045 Per person	Book Now	Callback

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Malmaison, Reading

Oxford Castle & Prison

Windsor Castle

Waddesdon Manor

Oxford ©Shutterstock

Oxford Castle & Prison ©Shutterstock

Oxford Crypt ©Andrew Howson

Windsor Castle ©Dreamstime

River Thames Cruise ©French Borthers

Waddesdon Manor, Winter Lights ©Waddesdon Manor

Waddesdon Manor, Christmas Fair ©Waddesdon Manor

Waddesdon Manor, Light Trail ©Waddesdon Manor

Waddesdon Manor, Christmas ©Waddesdon Manor

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