Day 1 | Tuesday 1 December
Arrival
For centuries, London has been the beating heart of Britain’s winter celebrations – from royal Christmas courts in medieval Westminster to bustling markets, Frost Fairs on the Thames, and the glittering traditions of the Victorian era. As we arrive and settle into our hotel, we step into this long history of Christmas in the capital, gathering in the evening for a festive welcome dinner. Overnight London (D)

Day 2 | Wednesday 2 December
The Ghosts of Christmas Past & Present
Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, published in 1843, transformed how the British understood Christmas, reviving folk traditions and instilling values of generosity and family into the holiday. We start the day with a visit to the Charles Dickens Museum, the author’s only remaining residence in the city. Its preserved interiors and manuscripts vividly depict the social world of Victorian London. A break for lunch is then enjoyed in a traditional Bloomsbury pub, a convivial space that Dickens himself might have recognised, followed by an afternoon at leisure. We reconvene in the evening, continuing our Dickensian theme with A Christmas Carol at The Old Vic – Matthew Warchus’ production has become a modern classic of the London stage. Performed in the theatre’s atmospheric Victorian auditorium, this beautifully staged interpretation by Jack Thorne brings Dickens’ timeless tale vividly to life. Overnight London (B)

Day 3 | Thursday 3 December
Carols at Canterbury
Canterbury has been England’s ecclesiastical heart since the 7th century, with its magnificent cathedral attracting pilgrims from across Europe following the martyrdom of Thomas Becket in 1170. Today, this historic city provides the backdrop for one of our most memorable festive experiences, as we travel here aboard the British Pullman, a Belmond Train that has hosted royalty and starred in films. Departing from London Victoria, we settle into the beautifully restored 1920s and 1930s carriages and enjoy a seasonal brunch with a Bellini. Upon arrival in Canterbury, we explore the historic centre, dominated by Canterbury Cathedral, where we also take part in the British Pullman’s exclusive Christmas Carols experience with the Canterbury Singers. In the late afternoon, we re-board the Pullman for a three-course dinner with wine, returning to London in style as night falls. Overnight London (B, D)

Day 4 | Friday 4 December
Traditions of Worship & Celebrations
Religious observance has shaped many aspects of Britain’s festive season, from early devotional practices to the Victorian reinvention of Christmas as a family-centred celebration. This morning’s talk explores how 19th-century writers, reformers and church leaders sought to revive older customs while introducing new rituals that remain central to the season today. We then make our way to St Paul’s Cathedral, whose Baroque architecture, long musical tradition and national significance offer a compelling setting to consider how worship and civic identity are intertwined in British Christmas observance. Following a break for lunch, the afternoon continues with a visit to Tate Modern. Housed in a former power station on the Thames, the gallery’s collection of global modern and contemporary art provides a striking contrast to the morning’s historic themes. The remainder of the day is free until we reconvene in the evening for a performance at the Royal Albert Hall, where Sir John Rutter leads his much-loved Christmas Celebration. Performed by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and featuring the highly esteemed Bach Choir, the program brings together seasonal orchestral works and traditional carols. Overnight London (B)

Day 5 | Saturday 5 December
Prince Albert & A Royal Christmas
Many customs now seen as essential Christmas traditions were popularised in the 19th century by Queen Victoria and her German-born husband, Prince Albert. Their focus on family-centred celebrations and carefully crafted royal imagery helped redefine the holiday for the modern era, spreading quickly through engravings, photographs and illustrated magazines. This morning we trace these influences through a multimedia-assisted exploration of the The King’s Gallery and its Royal Collection. Paintings, manuscripts and decorative objects reveal how successive monarchs have used imagery, ceremony and domestic display to present Christmas as both a private celebration and a national symbol. From here we make our way to the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse at Shakespeare’s Globe on the south bank of the Thames, where we plan to enjoy a matinee performance in the candle-lit splendour of this historic theatre – a jewel-box playhouse inspired by the indoor venues of Shakespeare’s London. Built entirely from oak and illuminated by beeswax candles, it recreates the warm glow and close, immersive atmosphere of early modern performance. The evening is at leisure on return to our hotel. Overnight London (B)

Day 6 | Sunday 6 December
Lights, Shopping & Christmas Trees
Since Norway gifted the first Christmas tree to Trafalgar Square in 1947 – a gesture of gratitude for British support during the Second World War – London’s festive illuminations have become an integral part of the city’s winter identity. The morning is set aside for independent exploration, with time to browse the shops of St James or wander through nearby precincts where historic streets are transformed by seasonal displays. We reconvene at midday for a traditional tea at Fortnum & Mason, whose Piccadilly premises have been synonymous with British refinement since the 18th century. Served in elegant surroundings, this long-standing ritual offers a moment to pause amid the pace of the city. The remainder of the afternoon is again at leisure before our evening performance at the London Palladium. The venue’s much-anticipated annual pantomime, Cinderella, featues Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders as the Ugly Sisters, alongside Julian Clary as the Fairy Godfather. The production combines spectacle and humour in a distinctly British theatrical tradition. Overnight London (B, AT)

Day 7 | Monday 7 December
Seasonal Performance
From Restoration theatre and Georgian pleasure gardens to Handel’s great winter oratorios, London has long been Europe’s centre of performance during the winter months. A morning lecture highlights how seasonal performance developed and reflected British values over the centuries. After lunch together in one of London’s historic dining rooms on the Strand, renowned for their traditional fare, renowned for their traditional fare, we make our way to the National Gallery. Here we view the special exhibition Van Eyck: The Portraits, where, for the first time, we can see all of Jan van Eyck’s rarely travelled portraits together, including the celebrated Arnolfini Portrait. We then step outside to view the Christmas tree in Trafalgar Square, continuing a tradition established in 1947. In the evening we make our way to South Bank and the National Theatre for a major new stage adaptation of The Jungle Book. Penned by playwright Anupama Chandrasekhar, this reimagining of Rudyard Kipling’s classic sees Olivier Award winner Hiran Abeysekera take on the iconic role of Mowgli. Overnight London (B, L)

Day 8 | Tuesday 8 December
Christmas in the Capital
Since medieval times, London’s riverbanks have hosted winter revels – from Tudor masques at Whitehall to the Frost Fairs that once animated the frozen Thames. This morning we return to the South Bank for a behind-the-scenes tour of the National Theatre. Led by one of the theatre’s expert guides, we explore the on-site carpentry, props and scenic painting workshops, gaining insight into how productions are realised from concept to stage. We also examine the distinctive features of this renowned building, including its auditoriums. Following our tour, we explore the Christmas markets along the South Bank, where wooden chalets line the river with seasonal food and craft. We then continue to Borough Market, one of the city’s oldest trading sites, with time to sample festive fare, before walking it all off with a leisurely stroll along the Thames. In the evening we make our way to Soho Place Theatre for Edward Albee’s Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? Set in the round and directed by Tony and Olivier Award winner Marianne Elliott, this fierce new production stars Emmy and Golden Globe winner Gillian Anderson and Emmy and Tony Award winner Billy Crudup. Overnight London (B)

Day 9 | Wednesday 9 December
What the Dickens!
By the mid-19th century, Charles Dickens had become synonymous with the Victorian-era idea of Christmas, his stories influencing how families across Britain and Australia imagined generosity, feasting, and fellowship. After a morning talk in the hotel, we visit the V&A East, the museum’s new East London outpost. Its collections explore design, fashion and performance, with displays covering costumes, stage design and contemporary responses to theatre-making, offering insight into how performance continues to shape visual culture. In the evening, we head to The Lost Estate in West Kensington for The Great Christmas Feast, an immersive theatrical experience where we step into Charles Dickens’ home on Christmas Eve, 1843, with “Dickens” himself narrating the tale of Ebenezer Scrooge. Dinner is served during the performance, with actors, musicians, and costumed waitstaff recreating the atmosphere of a Victorian Christmas table. Overnight London (B, D)

Day 10 | Thursday 10 December
A Christmas Castle
Royal castles have long symbolised Christmas splendour, hosting grand feasts and entertainment. Windsor Castle, still a royal residence, upholds this tradition with lavish decorations every December. This morning we travel by train to Windsor for a tour of the State Apartments, which are richly furnished and decorated for the holiday season, including the stunning St George’s Hall and the Waterloo Chamber. The tour also allows time to explore Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House, a remarkable miniature home with working lifts, running water, and extraordinary craftsmanship. Afterwards, we enjoy lunch together at one of Windsor’s local restaurants. The afternoon includes a brief stroll through Windsor’s historic centre before gathering in St George’s Chapel for evensong, continuing a centuries-old royal tradition of worship. We return to London by train. Overnight London (B, L)

Day 11 | Friday 11 December
The Twelfth Day of Christmas
Across Britain, the Twelve Days of Christmas traditionally mark both the culmination of seasonal observances and a final moment of festivity before the year turns. This morning’s lecture, ‘Wrapping Up’, reflects on the themes explored during our time in London – from the evolution of Christmas rituals to the city’s distinctive blend of performance, music and royal ceremony. A festive lunch follows, offering an opportunity to reflect on the experiences shared across the tour, before an afternoon at leisure. In the evening we gather for a final performance at the Wyndham’s Theatre. A new production of Noël Coward’s irresistible comedy, Hay Fever, brings together two icons of the screen, as Christine Baranski makes her West End debut as Judith Bliss, appearing alongside Richard E. Grant. Overnight London (B, L)

Day 12 | Saturday 12 December
Departure
Our tour ends after breakfast this morning. Please refer to individual travel arrangements for onward journeys. (B)