🎁 XMAS SPECIAL: England’s Prettiest Villages & Bath Christmas Market

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Celebrate the festive season with a small group of up to 15! Travelling together by private minibus, we’ll combine a scenic winter walk, charming villages and a famous Christmas market – all in one relaxed day, something that just isn’t possible by train.

We’ve created a list of FAQs to help answer your questions.

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Join us for a very special Christmas trip to two of the prettiest villages in England – Castle Combe and Lacock! We’ll combine a countryside hike and some sightseeing with a visit to the Bath Christmas Market, which is regularly named one of the best in the UK and Europe.

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

• Wander around the bustling Bath Christmas Market and the streets of this historic UNESCO World Heritage city. Each year, the picturesque city centre is transformed into a magical Christmas shopper’s paradise, as over 200 twinkling chalets packed full of gorgeous gifts and festive treats line the streets around the Roman Baths and Bath Abbey. One of the UK’s largest Christmas markets, it’s sure to have something for everyone!
• Discover Castle Combe, a quintessentially English village often called the prettiest in the country. It feels untouched by time: no new houses have been built here since the 1600s. Several major Hollywood films have been shot here, including The Wolf Man, Stardust and Steven Spielberg’s War Horse.
• Admire the honey-coloured 15th-century Cotswold stone cottages and the old packhorse bridge.
• Walk through the beautiful valleys, wooded hillsides and streams of the South Cotswolds.
• Enjoy a leisurely lunch in the medieval village of Lacock, with its many half-timbered houses. It has appeared on screen many times, most famously in Harry Potter, Downton Abbey and Pride and Prejudice.

DISTANCE & DIFFICULTY

Distance: 6 miles (9km).
Ascent: 220m.
Difficulty: Easy.

ITINERARY

07:45 Meet outside Hotel Novotel London West, 1 Shortlands, W6 8DR (a five-minute walk from Hammersmith Station)
08:00 Sharp departure
10:30-13:30 Castle Combe circular walk
14:00-15:15 Lunch in the medieval village of Lacock
16:00-17:30 Bath Christmas Market
17:30 Depart for London
20:30 London, Hammersmith

TRANSPORT

As on most of our trips, we'll travel in a comfortable 16-seater minibus.

SAFETY

This hike is led by an experienced, Outdoor First Aid qualified hike leader.

BOOKING

To keep ticket prices down and avoid PayPal/Meetup fees (£7 extra per ticket), we kindly ask for payment by bank transfer. Please include your Meetup name and the trip as the payment reference (e.g. John Bath). As places are limited, we can hold your place for 24 hours.

Business Account Name: London Social Hiking Limited
Sort Code: 20-17-20
Account Number: 63116514

We'll let you know by changing your status to “Paid” as soon as the payment is cleared. You can check your status next to your name in the attendees list of the event. You don’t need a paid Meetup subscription to do this – just close any pop-up windows and continue.

THE PRICE OF £78 INCLUDES

• Transport throughout the trip
• Experienced, professional PSV minibus driver
• Guiding on all hiking routes by an experienced and qualified Mountain Leader
• Professional event organisation
• Group first aid kit with qualified first aiders
• Admin fee
• 20% VAT

THE PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE

• Personal insurance (for cancellation, accident, health, emergency evacuation and loss, theft of or damage to baggage and personal effects, and personal trekking insurance)

HOW TO CONTACT US

For all enquiries, please PM Anna (the main organiser) via Meetup. Alternatively, you can email us at info@lshiking.co.uk We'll usually get back to you within 4 hours.

Your guide will be Anna (07596844467, only for use during the hike). Please get in touch if you have any difficulty locating the meeting point or need help during the trip.

WHAT TO BRING

• Suitable hiking shoes with ankle support
• Waterproof and windproof jacket and trousers or a poncho (if there is a chance of rain)
• Gloves/hat/cap
• Water (min 1L)
• Packed lunch (optional)

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REFUND POLICY

You can check our refund policy here.