How much does it cost?

From £819 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $1,106 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.

Is the train travel included?

Rail travel and seat reservations from your home station to Oxford are included; the Windsor Castle and Blenheim Palace excursions are by coach.

Is it escorted or independent?

It is an escorted tour with a Tour Manager throughout.

All three nights at the Mercure Eastgate Hotel in Oxford.

What does the tour visit?

Windsor Castle decorated for Christmas, free time in Oxford, and Blenheim Palace's Christmas Market and Festive Light Trail.

The only departure currently listed is in December 2026, priced from GBP 819 per person.

Railtrail Tours · Escorted tour

Step into Christmas in Windsor & Blenheim 2026

4-day Christmas rail tour to Oxford, Windsor, and Blenheim

Step into Christmas in Windsor & Blenheim is a 4-day escorted tour from Railtrail Tours based at the Mercure Eastgate Hotel in Oxford for all three nights. After arriving by rail, day 2 brings a coach transfer to Windsor Castle, built in the 11th century and described as the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world, with free time afterwards for Christmas shopping in the town. Day 3 leaves the morning free to explore Oxford before a short coach journey to Blenheim Palace, where the state rooms are dressed for Christmas and a Christmas Market runs in the grounds. The evening brings the Festive Light Trail, an illuminated walking route through the palace gardens. A Railtrail Tour Manager accompanies the group throughout, with coach transfers and admissions included. This short seasonal break suits couples and history-minded travellers who want two of England's grandest historic properties combined with festive events, without a heritage railway element.

What to know before you look closer

Railtrail Tours currently lists only one departure for this tour, in December 2026, priced from GBP 819 per person.
Rail travel covers only the journey to and from Oxford; the Windsor Castle and Blenheim Palace excursions are by coach.

Day by day

Day 1overnight: Mercure Eastgate, Oxford
Arrival in Oxford
Journey from your home station to Oxford and, on arrival, we will make our way to the Mercure Eastgate Hotel, our hotel for the next three nights. We enjoy free time to explore our new surroundings before meeting for our first evening meal together.
Meals: Dinner
Day 2overnight: Mercure Eastgate, Oxford
Windsor Castle
Today, our coach transfers us to the impressive Windsor Castle. Built in the 11th century, Windsor Castle is the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world and has been associated with the British Royal family for centuries. After our visit, we enjoy free time in Windsor - perfect for browsing the shops and picking up some Christmas gifts. Afterwards, we return to Oxford for an evening at leisure exploring 'Christmas in Oxford' and maybe sampling some delicious festive foods and drinks.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 3overnight: Mercure Eastgate, Oxford
Oxford & Blenheim Palace Festive Light Trail
After a leisurely breakfast, we enjoy some free time to explore our charming tour base of Oxford before making the short journey by coach to Blenheim Palace, a stunning country estate, where we can tour the palace rooms, dressed for Christmas, and discover the Christmas Market. This evening, we will experience the Festive Light Trail following the illuminated path through the palace's gardens to witness the dazzling light display, colourful cascades, and enchanting arches. On our return to our hotel, we enjoy our final evening meal together.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 4
Homeward Journey
After breakfast, we bid farewell to Oxford and make our way to the station for our homeward journeys.
Meals: Breakfast

The moments this trip is built around

Day 2A visit to Windsor Castle, built in the 11th century and described as the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world, followed by free time for Christmas shopping in the town.
Day 3An evening Festive Light Trail follows an illuminated path through the gardens of Blenheim Palace, decorated for Christmas with its own Christmas Market.

Included

3 nights bed & breakfast plus 2 evening meals
Services of experienced Railtrail Tour Manager
Rail travel & seat reservations from your Home Station to Tour Base (Standard or First Class)
Rail & coach travel, with transfers as described
All excursions & admissions as detailed

Questions travellers ask

How much does it cost?: From £819 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $1,106 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.
Is the train travel included?: Rail travel and seat reservations from your home station to Oxford are included; the Windsor Castle and Blenheim Palace excursions are by coach.
Is it escorted or independent?: It is an escorted tour with a Tour Manager throughout.
Where do you stay?: All three nights at the Mercure Eastgate Hotel in Oxford.
What does the tour visit?: Windsor Castle decorated for Christmas, free time in Oxford, and Blenheim Palace's Christmas Market and Festive Light Trail.
When does it run?: The only departure currently listed is in December 2026, priced from GBP 819 per person.