A Winters Tale
(guided walking weekend)
Trail overview
Where? – Rural South Wiltshire
When? – 04th December 2009, 2 night walking weekend
Picture the scene, when winters were always cold, villages lay quietly blanketed in snow and traditional celebrations with holly and ivy marked Christmas.
This luxury pre-festive walking holiday combines these nostalgic traditional celebrations with modern day luxury and pampering.
This is the ultimate way to kick start your winter and start your festive season – chilling out in a fabulous country house (a place of calm and luxurious indulgence with a great informal atmosphere), enjoy a weekend filled with refreshing winters walks, great Wiltshire food (much produced within a 50 mile radius) and listen to the magical harmony carol singing in the middle of the Great Hall of what is widely regarded as one of the best examples of high Elizabethan architecture in England, Longleat house. (Last year Lord Bath popped in to join us for a traditional wassail....) At dusk traditional lanterns will light our way back to your hotel......
Hosted by Foot Trails co-founders, Alison and David Howell – this popular pre-festive walking holiday was fully booked by late summer last year so you'll need to be quick to join us. Your holiday includes two days of private guiding with David Howell, story telling on route, hot tea and mince pies mid-morning – hot soup and crusty bread lunches in some of the areas cosiest country pubs before returning for a pampering soak with home-made bubble baths and lotions (included). Choose from charming standard bedrooms or huge superior rooms, all with bespoke wooden furniture, beautiful linens, hand-made toiletries, cafetiere and teas.
David has put some cracking winter walks together for this year, with trails especially selected for the festive season. Enjoy some of the area's authentic villages, with gorgeous cottages where the wood smoke swirls up into the winter air and the ancient churches make a fascinating stop. Then warm yourself up at lunchtime with wholesome home-made soups and crusty bread, sitting in front of a real log fire or two.....
The ancient Wiltshire countryside and Lord Bath's estate are beautiful locations. Many know Longleat of course for its famous lions and wildlife park, however there are many little known and secret spots. Here statuesque great oak trees have stood for centuries and the tell tale earthy, deep smell of the winter landscapes mixes with our breath as we explore and enjoy the quietness of winter. You'll find the walking pace enjoyable and relaxed, with plenty of time to take in the fabulous scenery and historical sights ...... some of our favourite sights at this time of year include the many beautiful symmetrical cobwebs decorated with jewel like drops of dew, the dried autumn grasses with frozen seed pods and the mesmerising sight of low sun, mist and wood smoke.
This holiday is perfect for couples, friends or solos if you want fresh air, perfect winter walks and some pre-festive pampering.
Why not arrive Friday lunchtime for the ultimate indulgence, safe in the knowledge that everyone else is at work – step out on our free independent walking trail, available for all guests who would like to enjoy a Friday walk. Enjoy a massage or beauty treatment on-site, or just relax in the bar and read through the papers by the fire.
So pack your mittens, grab your hats and book before it's too late! This holiday experience is unique to Foot Trails. We have only 12 places available this year, when they are gone, they're gone.
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