A Festive Break at The Royal York & Faulkner Hotel

Day 1 - Friday

Taxi from your home to the coach. We drive to the County Town of Dorchester for a lunch break. Continuing along Dorset's Jurassic Coast we reach the sleepy resort of Sidmouth, where Mulled Wine and Mince Pies await our arrival.

Day 2 - Saturday

A day for exploring the unspoilt Regency town of Sidmouth with its elegant promenade, shops, tearooms and riverside walks. The local history society has placed 64 blue plaques around the town. They are a treasure-trove of information on colourful residents, visiting royalty, rogues, innovations, pastimes, fashionable architecture and exotic gardens. We invite you to discover as many plaques as you can, with a prize for the person or team that gets the most.

Day 3 - Sunday

We take a scenic dive alongside the estuary of the River Exe, passing Powderham Castle, Dawlish and Teignmouth before heading inland to the southern edge of Dartmoor. We will spend some time at Buckfast Abbey, with its imposing abbey church, monastic gift shop, bookshop and restaurant.

Day 4 - Monday

This morning we visit Slade House Farm to wish a Happy Christmas to some of the hundreds of residents at the Sidmouth Donkey Sanctuary. The Charity was founded in 1969 by Dr Elisabeth Svendsen after seeing donkeys being maltreated at Exeter Market. There is a great little café and gift shop. This afternoon the Hotel will treat us to Tea and Christmas Cake.

Day 5 - Tuesday

We say farewell to the friendly York & Faulkner team and make our way home along the south coast, making a lunchtime stop at Haskyns Garden Centre. Taxis mid-to-late afternoon.

B=Breakfast, D=Dinner