Turrets & Tanks in Dorset HALF PRICE BAR
Monday 26 February 2024 to Friday 01 March 2024
£495pp
- Destination
- Itinerary
- Full inclusions
- Hotel
- Booking request
Be quick - all rooms are available on request only.
Dorset’s picturesque coastline stretches for seven sandy miles along Bournemouth Bay. This sheltered spot on the south coast has been a favourite holiday destination for decades, it’s the perfect base for exploring the county’s history and heritage. Visit Dorset’s Tank Museum and walk in the footsteps of a WWI soldier, be introduced to the rich and the royal at Highcliffe Castle and dip into Wiltshire for a guided tour of Salisbury Cathedral. Finish your daily adventures with entertainment at the hotel along with a HALF PRICE BAR every night. A number of customers have previously commented on the wonderful Russell Cotes Museum in Bournemouth. During your free time, and for a small charge, you may wish to visit the galleries, garden and house here – one of the last Victorian houses to be built in England and home to a rare private collection of Victorian artwork.
The Tank Museum, Highcliffe Castle and Salisbury Cathedral are all winners of a 2023 Travellers’ Choice Award from Tripadvisor – this is only awarded to attractions that are ranked within the top 10% and consistently earn great visitor reviews! This tour was very popular in 2023 with customers rating the content, their satisfaction and value for money 4.9/5 stars. Read our reviews: “A really good mix of visits, all thoroughly interesting and enjoyable”, “I enjoyed all the tours equally, they were interesting with friendly, helpful staff” and “The Tank Museum exceeded my expectations and the included Trench Tour was fascinating”.
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Tour code: A3424
Monday
Check in with tea/coffee on arrival.
Tuesday
Walk in the footsteps of a WWI soldier – from joining up at the local recruiting office all the way to the Front-Line trenches – during a unique guided tour at Bovington Camp’s Tank Museum. Uncover stories of this armoured British invention from the mud of the Somme to the beaches of Normandy and the deserts of Iraq, brought to life through powerful memories from the brave crews who fought in them. Relax and enjoy the hotel entertainment this evening.
Wednesday
Discover one of the most important surviving houses of the Romantic and Picturesque architectural period during our morning visit to Grade I listed Highcliffe Castle. Visited by kings, queens and a host of famous names, like Harry Gordon Selfridge and Dame Nellie Melba, you'll hear all about its fabulously rich history during an introductory talk before exploring at your leisure. There’s free time in Bournemouth this afternoon and The Russell Cotes Museum (small admission charge) comes highly recommended by Shaws customers. Enjoy hotel entertainment this evening.
Thursday
Gaze up at Britain’s tallest spire (123m) as we drive into the medieval city of Salisbury. Take a guided tour of the serene Cathedral – home to the world’s oldest mechanical clock and the best-preserved original 1215 Magna Carta before enjoying free time in the city. There’s great shopping and restaurants amongst the medieval streets and historic buildings, and entertainment from the hotel this evening to round off your stay.
Friday
Time to head home.
- 4-night stay with breakfast
- 3 course dinner with tea/coffee every evening (3 choices)
- Entry to The Tank Museum with a unique guided tour
- Entry to Highcliffe Castle with an introductory talk
- Guided tour of Salisbury Cathedral
- Free time in Bournemouth and Salisbury
- Welcome tea/coffee at the hotel
- Half price on selected beer, wine, soft drinks and house spirits from 18:00-22:00 every evening
- Entertainment on three evenings
- Porterage
- Door2Door Travel (save £10pp by meeting the coach at a central departure point)
- BCH ABTOT Financial Protection
- Pre allocated coach seat
- Executive touring coach featuring a refreshment station, reclining seats, reading lights, curtains, foot and arm rests, toilet, safety belts, air suspension and individual air-flow controls
- An experienced, friendly, highly-rated and professional tour driver
- Friendly booking team on hand to answer any questions you might have in the run up to your holiday
- Book with just a £50pp deposit (balance due 8 weeks prior to departure)
- Book soon to guarantee no single supplement, available on a limited number of rooms
- LOYALTY DISCOUNT! Book 3 holidays (in any calendar year) and save £15pp, book 4+ and save £20pp, just let us know in special requests that you'd like to redeem your discount
The Riviera Hotel, Bournemouth 
- Situated in the secluded wooded area of Alum Chine, to the west of Bournemouth
- A 10-15 minute walk through Alum Chine Gardens to the sandy beach and a 30 minute stroll along the prom to Bournemouth Pier
- Winners of a 2023 Travellers’ Choice Award from Tripadvisor
- Ensuite rooms featuring Freeview TV, hairdryer, desk, free WiFi, complimentary tea/coffee tray and ironing equipment on request
- Restaurant and conservatory
- Bar & Grill with bay views, pool table and football table
- Lounge foyer
- Garden (artificial grass) and terrace with outdoor seating
- 10x5m heated indoor pool, spa bath and gym
- Lift
ACCESS: No lift access to the ground floor rooms which involve 7 steps, steps to the garden/terrace, 3 steps to the leisure club. Most rooms have shower over bath, walk-in showers available on request
Please ask us about upgrade options which may be available at a supplement
