Jersey and the Dorset Coast

The Swanage Railway

Meet your Tour Manager today at Waterloo station in London, travelling in Standard Class to Bournemouth. Here, you transfer to your hotel.

On Day 2, transfer to the Swanage Railway, where you enjoy a short rail journey to Corfe. Originally opened in 1885, this delightful heritage railway traverses through the beautiful scenery of the Isle of Purbeck. The line is only 6 miles long, yet it fits in a lot of scenery in this time. One of the most lasting images of this line is as it passes under the ruins of Corfe Castle, as well as cutting through the gently undulating countryside of the south coast. Your time in Corfe is free.

The incredible ruins of Corfe Castle are well worth a closer look, with its ancient walls telling of some of the major events to occur throughout the history of Britain. Originally, the castle was built in the 11th century by William the Conqueror, the first Norman king of England. It continued to be a royal castle until the Tudor times, when Elizabeth I passed it on to Sir Christopher Hatton, and it was besieged during the English Civil War, with the defence of the castle led by the wife of Sir John Banks.

The castle was the last royalist hold in the south, and unfortunately fell in 1645, then ruined by order of Parliament. All that remains of the mighty fortress today are a few thick stone walls, but the atmosphere of the place, and the views that it gives over the village and surrounding countryside, make the castle well worth a visit.

To Jersey

Transfer to the ferry terminal after breakfast for the crossing to Jersey, where you check into your hotel, the 3* Monterey Hotel, on arrival. The rest of your day is free to acquaint yourself with the lovely island of Jersey.

Exploring Jersey

Enjoy a guided tour of Jersey today. The largest of the Channel Islands, Jersey is surrounded by stunning blue waters and fringed with pristine sandy beaches. On your tour today, you view some of its most famous sights, including the tomb of actress Lillie Langtry at St Saviours Church, as well as La Hogue Bie, a mysterious mount that dates back to around 3500BC. On Day 5, you are at leisure. Included in your holiday is a bus pass, allowing you to explore all corners of the island.

Wartime Jersey

Today, go back to the time of Jersey under Nazi occupation, which lasted from 1940 to the end of the Second World War in May 1945. You visit the war tunnels, built by prisoners of war from around the world, that serve as a reminder of the brutality of the regime.

You have a tour here, learning about the lives of the islanders under occupation, and discovering the brave resistance of the Jersey nationals after being abandoned by the Crown, before returning to the hotel.

Homeward bound

After breakfast today, transfer to the ferry terminal for the crossing to Poole, continuing to Bournemouth where you overnight. On Day 8, return to London where your tour concludes.

Departure Times

On many of our UK & Ireland tours, you may check in at the first hotel on your itinerary anytime after 14:00; your Tour Manager will be available between 16:00 and 18:00. However, if you are arriving later, you can meet your Tour Manager before dinner from 19:00.