The Jurassic Coast & New Forest

Your exploration of the Jurassic Coast and New Forest starts as you arrive independently at our four-star hotel in the coastal town of Bournemouth.

With check in available from 2pm, you could spend the rest of the afternoon exploring the seaside resort. Our hotel is within easy access to the beach and city centre, where you'll find the Bournemouth Aquarium and a mix of shops on the high street. Bournemouth as we know it was founded in the early 1800s as a health resort and quickly became a popular destination for Victorians, attracted to its spas and seven miles of sandy beaches. It remains a favoured seaside town amongst Brits and is also the ideal base for our discovery of the surrounding areas.

Returning to the hotel, meet the Tour Manager ahead of dinner this evening.

• Dinner

After breakfast, we take a short coach transfer to Poole Quay for a boat trip to Swanage. Sailing the open blue sea, we pass Brownsea Island, Studland Bay and the white chalk cliffs of Old Harry Rocks at the eastern end of the Jurassic Coast.

Swanage is an atmospheric Victorian seaside town with a long beach, independent shops and delicious food. On arrival, there's time to grab some lunch before joining the Swanage Railway*. This heritage rail journey runs through the beautiful Isle of Purbeck countryside, passing waving fields and charming villages.

Reaching Corfe Castle, you can explore its fascinating 1,000-year-old ruins at leisure. Sitting on a hill overlooking the peaceful village, the dramatic remains have an intriguing history, having borne witness to sieges and the English Civil War. The keep of this fortress castle was built in the early 12th century for William the Conqueror's son, King Henry I. After admiring this former royal stronghold, we return to Bournemouth by coach for dinner at our hotel.

*Trains are steam-hauled where possible, however due to timetable changes or weather conditions, heritage diesel locomotives may be running instead.

• Breakfast, Dinner

This morning, we travel by coach to the New Forest to explore Exbury Gardens, home to the fantastic Rothschild collection of rhododendrons and azaleas. We enjoy a different view of the gardens by boarding the Exbury steam railway, also known as the Rhododendron Line. Departing from a charming replica Victorian station, the train meanders around the beautiful gardens and circles Dragonfly Pond, where you can try to spot local wildlife.

This afternoon, we are driven to the National Motor Museum in the expansive grounds of Beaulieu, home of the Montagu family. There's plenty to see here, from Formula 1 vehicles and land-speed record breakers to the famous car from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. Alternatively, enjoy a bird's-eye view by riding on the monorail through the roof of the museum. Also on the estate, you can find Palace House - a medieval turreted house - or wander the serene gardens.

There's a restaurant where you can enjoy lunch before returning to the hotel by coach, with time to relax before dinner.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Heading into Hampshire by coach this morning, we arrive in the traditional market town of Alton. There is time to wander independently, uncover the grand Georgian architecture lining its attractive main streets, or you could seek out St Lawrence Church, where you can still see damage caused during a 1642 battle in the English Civil War.

Heading to the station, we board the Mid Hants Railway, also known as the Watercress Line*. This steam-hauled heritage railway travels through ten miles of idyllic countryside on a picturesque route that originally transported produce to London's markets from the UK's capital of watercress farming, Alresford. There's free time to explore or enjoy lunch independently before boarding the coach for our next stop.

Historic Christchurch boasts many attractive sights, and its 11th-century priory is one of the few monastery churches to have survived Henry VIII's rule. Panoramic views reward those who climb the 176 steps to the top of its tower. Later, the coach takes us back to our hotel for our final dinner as a group.

*Trains are steam-hauled where possible, however due to timetable changes or weather conditions, heritage diesel locomotives may be running instead.

• Breakfast, Dinner

This scenic part of southern England has given us many beautiful memories during our exploration. Sailing from Poole Harbour to Swanage revealed the gleaming chalk cliffs of Old Harry Rocks. In the New Forest, we admired Exbury Gardens and Beaulieu's National Motor Museum, while Alton and Alresford showcased elegant Georgian architecture. Throughout all this, nostalgic heritage railways allowed us to sit back and enjoy front-row seats to the picturesque countryside we travelled through.

Your holiday comes to an end after breakfast this morning. Once you've checked out of our Bournemouth hotel, you can make your way home or continue to explore more of the fantastic Jurassic Coast and New Forest on your own.

• Breakfast