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 – a production that has become a modern classic of the London stage. Performed in the theatre’s atmospheric Victorian auditorium, this beautifully staged interpretation 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 our next performance, continuing our exploration of the season’s blend of music, storytelling and communal celebration. Overnight London (B)

Day 5 | Saturday 5 December
Prince Albert & A Royal Christmas
Many customs now seen as essential Christmas traditions – such as decorated trees, gift exchanges, and royal cards – 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 two key institutions shaped by royal patronage. We begin at The King’s Gallery for a multimedia-assisted exploration of the 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 take a guided visit of nearby Westminster Abbey, where centuries of coronations, commemorations and choral practice illuminate the relationship between monarchy, ritual and public observance at this time of year. On return to the hotel, there is time to freshen up before heading out to enjoy the Christmas lights along Oxford Street and the surrounding West End streets. Overnight London (B)

Day 6 | Sunday 6 December
Lights, Shopping & Christmas Trees
Since Norway donated the first Christmas tree in Trafalgar Square in 1947, London’s holiday decorations have gained worldwide fame. This morning is dedicated to shopping along Regent Street or Covent Garden, both resplendent with lights and festive displays. In the afternoon, we enjoy a traditional afternoon tea at Fortnum & Mason, the historic Piccadilly store that received a royal warrant from Queen Elizabeth I and has supplied royalty with fine foods since the 18th century. Later, we make our way to The National Gallery to visit 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 finish the day in nearby Trafalgar Square to view the iconic Christmas tree. Tonight, we gather again for a performance. Overnight London (B, AT)

Day 7 | Monday 7 December
Seasonal Performance
From Tudor court masques to Handel’s 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, we travel by tube to London’s East End for a festive pantomime, a cherished British tradition during the Christmas season. While productions vary each year, the performance showcases London’s ongoing history as a city where art and ritual unite to celebrate the season. 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 covered the frozen Thames. This morning, we immerse ourselves in the modern-day continuation of these festive traditions at Southbank’s Christmas market, with its wooden chalets and spiced aromas, and at Borough Market, one of London’s oldest trading sites, buzzing with seasonal foods. A leisurely stroll along the Thames embankment then takes us to a matinee show in the candle-lit splendour of the Sam Wanamaker Theatre – an intimate, jewel-box playhouse inspired by the indoor theatres of Shakespeare’s London. Built entirely from oak and lit by hundreds of beeswax candles, it recreates the warm glow and close, immersive ambience of early modern performance. 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 at the hotel, we continue to the Victoria and Albert Museum for a visit to the Theatre and Performance Galleries. Costumes, set designs and archival material illuminate how fashion and design shaped festive rituals. 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 guided 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. 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. We then travel to the National Portrait Gallery, where portraits of monarchs, writers and performers provide a fitting lens through which to consider how Christmas has been represented in British public life. A short walk brings us to St Martin-in-the-Fields, long associated with music and community outreach, and a meaningful site from which to conclude our exploration of London’s cultural landscape during the festive season. In the afternoon, we enjoy a special matinee performance at one of London’s historic theatres, followed by a farewell dinner in the Clive Room at the Army & Navy Club, raising a final toast to the shared experiences that have shaped our Twelve Days of Christmas. Overnight London (B, D)

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