Welcome to our January 2026 Newsletter, brimming with new ideas to capture your imagination as you begin to explore your next holiday. If you need inspiration, then we hope that this Newsletter has plenty to tempt you. Filled with some of our popular favourites along with some new holiday ideas, we are sure that there will be something to excite you when making your next holiday choice.
With over 50 years of service, we believe we know what makes a great holiday: friendly service, relaxing itineraries, ease of booking, quality and comfort. Our Summer 2026 Holiday brochure is out now and has over 120 tours to choose from, so enjoy browsing through these pages or visit our website at www.woodstravel.co.uk.
As we welcome the New Year, the entire team at Woods extends our warmest wishes for a prosperous 2026. Thank you for your trust and continued support. Here's to a year of shared success!
Kristy
Kristy Elsmere Joint Managing Director
Join us at Chichester Harbour Hotel on Thursday 26 March 2026 at 10.30am for a bespoke presentation from one of our favourite cruise providers - Fred.Olsen. With over 175 years’ experience the team at Fred.Olsen know that the most wonderful way to sail the world is aboard a smaller ship.
Their guests love the feeling of being on an elegant ship, close to the sea. They appreciate that the smaller ships can take them to more interesting places – to the furthest reaches of Norway’s lesser-known fjords, through narrow waterways and canals and to the very heart of some of the world’s most beautiful cities.
We at Woods are proud to work with Fred.Olsen to deliver these spectacular cruises, with several each year escorted by a Woods representative and with the comfort and convenience of our Door-to-Door service.
Please call
01243 868080 to book for this presentation. A small fee of £5 per person will secure your place, and the proceeds will go to St Wilfrid’s Hospice.
AWARDS
We were a finalist in the prestigious Route One Industry Awards in November 2025 for ‘Small Coach Operator of the Year’. The Awards are the most sought-after accolades for the coach and bus sector, representing the pinnacle of recognition for outstanding performance, innovation, and accomplishment in all areas of operation. Although on this occasion we did not win the award we were truly honoured to have been judged to be one of the UK’s leading top five small coach operators.
Woods Travel also received the ‘Family-Run Travel Operator of the Year’ at the Diamond Distinction Awards, recognising the Bognor Regis based operator’s excellence in personalised travel service and customer care.
Easter Escapes
Winter Warmers
A great selection of Tours to brighten up those cold Winter Months:
Treasures in Trust:
Cheshire & The Peaks
01-Mar | 5 Days from £564
(Tour Ref: G26120)
Shrigley Hall Hotel, Pott Shrigley
Harrogate, Skipton & York
09-Mar | 5 Days from £684
(Tour Ref: G2624)
The Old Swan Hotel, Harrogate
Cotswold Animal Magic
19-Mar | 4 Days from £469
(Tour Ref: G2683)
Doubletree by Hilton Swindon
Ironbridge & Shropshire 22-Mar | 5 Days from £645 (Tour Ref: G2694)
The Valley Hotel, Ironbridge
Red Rose Country
23-Mar | 5 Days from £629
(Tour Ref: G2646)
Foxfields Country Hotel, Ribble Valley
Castles & Gardens of Kent 27-Mar | 5 Days from £565
(Tour Ref: G26112)
Ashford International Hotel, Ashford
Celebrate the arrival of Spring with a relaxing Easter getaway to one of our three EGG-citing holiday destinations....
Heartland of Wales Easter
Metropole Hotel, Llandrindod Wells
01 April 2026 – 7 Days from £799
Tour Ref: G2695
Explore the magnificent gardens and hidden valleys of the Cambrian Mountains, from our base in the Victorian Spa town of Llandrindod Wells.
Holiday Inclusions:
4 All Coach Travel
4 Door to Door Service
4 6
Sidmouth Easter
Royal York & Faulkner Hotel, Sidmouth
02 April 2026 – 5 Days from £675
Tour Ref: G2638
A lovely Spring visit to the Royal York and Faulkner Hotel, overlooking the waters of Lyme Bay on the Regency promenade at Sidmouth, a town with old world charm and delightful gardens.
Easter Gardens of Suffolk Stoke by Nayland Hotel, Stoke-by-Nayland
02 April 2026 – 5 Days from £719 Tour Ref: G2688
Join us on this delightful trip to Suffolk, to see all things floral. We have included visits to two beautiful gardens, we meet owls, cruise on the Orwell and visit a wonderful garden show. Holiday
For full details of all of these tours, please see our website – www.woodstravel.co.uk or call 01243 871666 and request your brochure.
Luxury Saphos Steam Train –Chester
to The Cumbrian Fells
07 June 2026 | G26161 | 4 Days from £1479
Unravel the allure of a bygone era on a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. Our pièce de resistance will be a luxury train ride on-board Saphos Trains lavish Pullman Dining carriages, hauled by an authentic steam locomotive, where liveried stewards ensure every detail in an ambience of pure opulence.
Holiday Itinerary
Day 1 Sunday We make our way north to the Grosvenor Pulford Hotel, near Chester.
Day 2 Monday Begin your day at Chester Station, where liveried stewards welcome you aboard the beautifully restored vintage train. You are welcomed aboard with champagne as a sumptuous full English or fish breakfast is served, all while an authentic mainline registered steam locomotive gently pulls you northwards. Our journey takes us over the famous Settle to Carlisle Railway line, truly one of Britain’s most spectacular railway lines. We view the gritstone capped fells of Ingleborough and Penyghent as we cross over Ribblehead Viaduct and journey through remote Dentdale, before descending Mallerstang Common and on to Appleby. Alighting our train at Langwathby, you will be escorted to the Grade I listed stately home of Dalemain Located in the heart of the Cumbrian Fells, Dalemain can trace its roots back to Saxon times and is a treasure trove of history and craftsmanship with glorious gardens to explore. Rejoin the train at Penrith for a lavish five-course seasonal dinner with a Great British cheese board accompanied by the Sommelier’s choice of half-bottle of wine per person, whilst tea, coffee, and homemade petits fours make for a fitting finale to an unforgettable day.
Day 3 Tuesday After breakfast we step inside the timeless elegance of Arley Hall, where guests will enjoy a personal guided experience with the Head Gardener, uncovering the estate’s rich heritage.
Day 4 Wednesday After breakfast, we are homeward bound.
( Not suitable for those with reduced moblity)
Your Hotel
The Grosvenor Pulford Hotel, Near Chester HHHH www.grosvenorpulfordhotel.co.uk
Austen’s England
22 October 2026 | G26193 | 5 Days from £649
Follow in the footsteps of Jane Austen and discover the places where her best-loved books were inspired and written, as well as some of the most beautiful parts of the Cotswolds.
Holiday Itinerary
Day 1 Thursday We travel across country to Chawton, where we visit Jane Austen’s charming red-brick cottage, now a fascinating museum of her life with an unparalleled collection of treasures. We then continue to Swindon and our hotel.
Day 2 Friday We visit Devizes, with more than 500 listed buildings and a large marketplace at its heart. Next, we continue to Bowood House, where the fine Georgian building is surrounded by the Italian-inspired Terrace Garden, Walled Garden and the 100 acres of beautifully landscaped ‘Capability’ Brown Parkland are bursting with autumn colour.
Day 3 Saturday This morning we visit Cheltenham, known for its fine shopping and elegant promenade. We then board the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway for a journey through the Cotswolds countryside to the honey-stone streets of Broadway, where we have a little free time before returning to our hotel by coach.
Day 4 Sunday A day in the glorious Georgian spa resort of Bath, where a local guide takes us on a tour of the sights by coach and on foot, including places pertinent to Jane’s life and literature here.
Day 5 Monday Departing after breakfast, we stop in Winchester, where you might like to visit the Cathedral and Jane’s final resting place. We return home during the afternoon.
Your Hotel
Blunsdon House Hotel HHHH www.blunsdonhouse.co.uk
Spotlight on Single Rooms
We are well-known for looking after our many customers who need a single room and we are consistently trying to increase our allocations of single bedded rooms or twin/double rooms for sole occupancy on many tours. So, if you are travelling alone, you can enjoy your holiday in the company of like-minded people.
Prices shown below are inclusive of any supplementary charge. All these holidays have at least 9 single use rooms at the time of going to print.
Trams, Boats & Bulbs
Enjoy a delightful spring weekend break with a distinctive Dutch flavour visiting the magnificent, world-famous gardens at Keukenhof. We also have an included trip through time by steam tram and on a museum boat cruise.
Rutland’s Riches
landscapes, traditions, great houses and gardens –Lincolnshire certainly has more than its fair share and tiny Rutland boasts a proud and
Tour
Escape to the Channel Islands
From cliffs coated with wildflowers to the beautiful beaches that fringe its shores, Jersey is a truly picturesque destination. Just 19 miles from France, the island effortlessly combines European sophistication with traditional British charm. With its unspoiled landscape, Jersey really is a place where you can get away from it all. Relax and enjoy the famed hospitality of its people and lose yourself in the Island’s winding lanes or on its breathtaking coast.
Alternatively, why not head to Guernsey, the second largest of the Channel Islands. Full of natural beauty, it provides a relaxing environment for a peaceful getaway. Winding lanes reveal rolling pastures, tree filled valleys, dotted with traditional Guernsey farmhouses, dramatic clifftop views and glorious sandy beaches – with a surprise around every corner!
Jersey by Air
Best Western Monterey Hotel, St Helier HHH www.morvanhotels.com
Tour Ref: N26121
24 May 2026
7 Days/6 Nights from £1169
27 September 2026
7 Days/6 Nights from £1169
Your Holiday Includes:
4 Half Board 4 Return Flights
4 Full day Island Tour
4 Half Day Excursion to the Jersey War Tunnels
4 La Mare Wine Estate
4 Woods Tour Escort
on
Gorgeous Guernsey by Air
The Peninsula Hotel, Vale Parish HHHH www.peninsula.gg Tour Ref: N2667
26 April 2026
6 Days/5 Nights from £1165
04 October 2026
6 Days/5 Nights from £1285
Your Holiday Includes:
4 Half Board 4 Return Flights
4 Half Day Island tour
4 Boat Trip to Herm
4 Woods Tour Escort
The Isles of Scilly
The Atlantic Inn, Hugh Town, St Mary’s | www.atlanticinnscilly.co.uk
Tour Ref: G26137
18 April 2026 – 7 Days/6 Nights from £1759
29 September 2026 – 7 Days/6 Nights from £1749
Channel Islands Two Centre Guernsey & Jersey by Air
The Peninsula Hotel, Vale Parish HHHH & The Westhill Country Hotel, Jersey HHH www.peninsula.gg www.westhillhoteljersey.com
Tour Ref: N26175
28 June 2026
8 Days/7 Nights from £1579
Your Holiday Includes:
4 3 Nights Guernsey 4 4 Nights Jersey
4 Half Board 4 Return flights
4 One half day excursion in Guernsey
4 Inter-Island Sea Crossing
4 One full day Jersey Island Tour
4 Half Day excursion to Jersey Zoo
4 Woods Tour Escort
Please note: on these tours Woods Travel act as retail agents for Premier Holidays (ATOL
be
The Isles of Scilly are five inhabited islands set amongst countless outcrops and islets. Although just 28 miles from Land’s End in Cornwall, their mild climate makes them a haven for flora and fauna. Holidays in the Isles of Scilly offer the chance to catch water taxis to St Martin's, with its untamed coastline, or visit tiny St Agnes – home to just 72 people. Many of the outlying islands are pristine sanctuaries inhabited solely by seals, birds and other wildlife, just perfect for exploring!
Your Holiday Includes:
4 Half Board 4 Coach Transfers to/from Land’s End or Newquay Airport 4 Return Skybus Flights to St Mary’s
4 Boat Trip to Tresco Abbey Gardens 4 Guided Tour of St Mary’s 4 Guided Tour of St Martin’s or St Agnes 4 Woods Tour Escort
Please note: Mini coaches are used for island hotel transfers and our excursions to Tresco and St Martin’s or St Agnes involve transportation by boat. Therefore, due to the nature of this holiday, customers with mobility difficulties may be limited in their enjoyment. Please be aware that the days on which the excursions will operate may be subject to change.
Please note:
these tours Woods Travel act as retail agents for Destination Specialists (ATOL 9503). This holiday can only be booked directly with Woods Travel, not through agents.
2713). This holiday can only
booked directly with Woods Travel, not through agents. Porterage is not available on this tour.
European Focus
River CruiseCruise The Rhine in Flames
01 July 2026 – 7 Days from £1535 | Tour Ref: E26107
Sole Use Supplement: £440 Upper Deck: £110
A remarkable experience is within your reach as we sail along the Romantic Rhine to take part in the ‘Rhein in Flammen,’ floating amongst the vessels adorned with lights, as spectacular firework displays light up the night sky. Seeing this stunning visual spectacle from the decks of our ship will be an unforgettable moment to treasure.
Your Holiday Includes:
4 All Coach Travel 4 Door to Door Service 4 Return Channel Ferry Crossing
4 Full Board onboard CroisiEurope’s MS Gérard Schmitter
4 Drinks Package on Board (Excluding Champagne, Perrier & Wines from the wine list) 4 Rhine in Flames
André Rieu in Maastricht
09 July 2026 – 4 Days from £745 | Tour Ref: E26182
Sole Use Supplement: £150
A once in a lifetime chance to see the King of Waltz himself with his 60strong orchestra in his charming hometown of Maastricht. We have included Category 3 tickets for the concert, ensuring you have excellent seats for the show. You also have time to explore Aachen, Maastricht and Monschau - all delightful towns with their own individual charms.
Your Holiday Includes:
4 All Coach Travel 4 Door to Door Service
4 Return Channel Ferry Crossing 4 Bed & Breakfast
4 Concert Ticket (Cat 3)
The Beaujolais Wine Festival
17 November 2026 – 6 Days from £979 | Tour Ref: E26199 Single Room Supplement: £259
Experience the famous Beaujolais Nouveau Festival, France's famous grape harvest festival. Beaujolais Nouveau Day is marked in France on the third Thursday in November with fireworks, music and festivals. Under French law, the wine is released at 12:01 am, just weeks after the wine’s grapes have been harvested. Parties are held throughout the country and further afield to celebrate the first wine of the season. Along the roads of Southern Burgundy, discover the history and the heritage of lush countryside.
Your Holiday Includes:
4 All Coach Travel 4 Door to Door Service 4 Return Channel Ferry Crossing
4 Half Board 4 Overnights out & return in Reims (Minimum 3-star standard hotel) 4 3 Nights at the Ibis Mâcon Sud Crêches (www.accor.com)
4 Full Day Guided Tour of Burgundy Region Including an English Speaking Guide 4 Guided Tour of Château de la Chaize, Including Tasting
4 Guided Walking Tour of Mâcon 4 Guided Visit to the Hameau Duboeuf Beaujolais Wine Park.
Cruising with Fred.Olsen
Warner Hotels May - December 2026
Warner Hotels are renowned for the high quality of their properties, the beautiful locations, excellent evening entertainment, fine leisure facilities and the wealth of activities available at their adult only hotels. Join us on one of the following tours to discover all this for yourself!
Nidd Hall, Near Harrogate
11 May 2026
5 Days from £629 Tour Ref: G26104
14 December 2026 Turkey & Tinsel NEW
5 Days from £479 Tour Ref: G26191
Set in 45 acres of verdant parkland, sculpted gardens and stepped terraces, our four-star standard hotel has at its heart a magnificent Grade II listed mansion built in the 1820s.
Included Excursions:
4 RHS Harlow Carr 4 York
4 Morning Excursion to Skipton
Heythrop Park, The Cotswolds
15 June 2026
5 Days from £798 Tour Ref: G26146
Set in 440 acres of glorious parkland on the edge of the beautiful Cotswolds, Heythrop is a magnificent Baroque mansion and is the largest resort in the Warner portfolio.
Included Excursions:
4 Chipping Norton & Batsford Garden Centre
4 Blenheim Palace 4 Oxford
Included Excursions:
Bembridge
13 July 2026
Coast, Isle of Wight
5 Days from £729 Tour Ref: G26144
07 December 2026 Turkey & Tinsel NEW
5 Days from £489 Tour Ref: G26145
This three-star standard modern hotel is set in 23 acres of grounds on the secluded eastern shore of the Isle of Wight and has beautifully landscaped gardens and marvellous sea views.
Included Excursions:
4 The Needles & Godshill
4 Osborne House & Gardens
4 Shanklin (Half Day)
Littlecote House, Near Hungerford 17 August 2026
5 Days from £669 Tour Ref: G26147
Our four-star standard hotel near Hungerford is a superb Grade I listed 16th-century Tudor mansion in 40 acres of landscaped grounds.
Included Excursions:
4 Cirencester (Half Day) 4 Bowood House
4 Horse-drawn Canal Cruise
Alvaston Hall, Cheshire
07 September 2026
5 Days from £645 Tour Ref: G26143
You will find few lovelier locations than the one occupied by the grand country estate of Alvaston Hall.
4 Chester 4 Jodrell Bank (Half Day)
4 Buxton & The Peak District National Park
4 National Memorial Arboretum
Runnymede on Thames, Near Windsor
24 August 2026
5 Days from £969 Tour Ref: G26149
The Runnymede on Thames contains 205 stylishly designed rooms, with 25 newly built, offering all the hallmarks of a perfect holiday escape.
Included Excursions:
4 Brooklands Museum Including ‘Concorde’ 4 RHS Wisley 4 Windsor (Half Day)
Studley Castle, Warwickshire
31 August 2026
5 Days from £779 Tour Ref: G26150
Studley Castle Hotel is located within a beautiful castle boasting modern facilities in rural Warwickshire.
Included Excursions:
4 Warwick
4 Stratford-upon-Avon
4 Coughton Court
4 Avoncroft Museum & Hanbury Hall
Included Excursions:
Thoresby Hall, Nottinghamshire 12 October 2026
5 Days from £779 Tour Ref: G26148
Set in acres of rolling parklands on the edge of Sherwood Forest; one of Nottinghamshire’s most important houses, Thoresby’s original features are still enjoyed by guests today.
4 Nottingham (Half Day) 4 Lincoln 4 Chatsworth House
** Our new December departures will be showcased in our forthcoming Autumn/Winter/Spring October to April brochure and will be available to see on-line at www.woodstravel.co.uk. Please call 01243 868080 for further details. Warner properties are usually spread over a large area, so some walking may be required between bedroom and restaurant / leisure facilities. Upgrades to Signature Rooms may be available with an extra charge. Number of single or sole use rooms at the published supplement are very limited.
Escape into The World of Thursford this Christmas!
The Christmas Spectacular is an extravaganza of non-stop singing, dancing, music, humour and variety. It is a fastmoving celebration of the festive season featuring an eclectic mix of both seasonal and year-round favourites with famous and much-loved chart toppers being sung alongside traditional carols. With a cast of 130 this is the biggest Christmas show of its kind in Europe!
Set in magical surroundings, the shows delivers non-stop music, singing and dancing in an auditorium that is a riot of Christmas colour with thousands of twinkling lights and festive decorations to rival a Hollywood film set
We are offering several alternatives for this wonderful event – each with its own attractions. Each four-day tour includes a day at Thursford with time to have lunch before the matineé performance. Our seats are in the standard seating area in the centre blocks of the auditorium.
10 November 2026
4 Days from £559
Tour Ref: G2623
Sole Use Supplement: £114
Dunston Hall Hotel, Norwich HHHH
www.dunstonhallhotel.co.uk
Situated on the outskirts of Norwich.
Indoor swimming pool. Lift to all floors.
Tour includes
4 A visit to Blickling Hall
23 November 2026
4 Days from £559
Tour Ref: G2601
Sole Use Supplement: £150
Knights Hill Hotel, Kings Lynn HHHH www.knightshill.co.uk
NEWRELEASE
17 November 2026
4 Days from £545
Tour Ref: G26158
Sole Use Supplement: £60
Imperial Hotel, Great Yarmouth HHHH www.imperialhotel.co.uk
NEWRELEASE
Located at the relaxed end of Great Yarmouth’s seafront with outstanding views. 9 steps up to reception (stair lift available). Lift to all floors. 7 steps down to Café Cru Restaurant.
Tour includes 4 A visit to Norwich
NEWRELEASE
Located 4 miles from Kings Lynn town centre. The Farmers traditional pub. Leisure Club with indoor pool, sauna, gym and spa. No lift but ground floor rooms with easy access available.
Tour includes 4 Entrance & Guided Tour of Oxburgh Hall
29 November 2026
4 Days from £509
Tour Ref: G26142
Sole Use Supplement: £85
Wensum Valley Hotel, Taverham, Norwich HHH www.wemsumvalleyhotel.co.uk
Located close to Norwich. Swimming pool, steam room, spa bath, gym & sauna. No lift but hotel has plenty of ground floor rooms.
Tour includes
4 A visit to Wroxham Barns
** Our new November departures will be showcased in our forthcoming Autumn/Winter/Spring October to April brochure. Order your brochure by calling 01243 871666 or for further details ring us on 01243 868080.
