Dorset Days new tour
Monday 15 September 2025 to Friday 19 September 2025
£730pp Single supplement £118
- Destination
- Itinerary
- Full inclusions
- Hotel
- Booking request
Why visit Dorset? Deep blue seas meet fossil-rich ancient cliffs on The Jurassic Coast. Dorset is a peaceful, 'best-kept-secret' kind of county, but combine that with a stay in the vibrant resort of Bournemouth and you have the perfect blend for a late summer staycation. Seven miles of golden sands in Bournemouth and a lively pier are the perfect way to pass the time, especially after the majority of summer crowds have departed. A scenic heritage train journey to Swanage and a cruise along the wildlife-rich Beaulieu River will leave you relaxed and uplifted, whilst a wander in Bennetts Water Garden will leave you feeling like you've just stepped inside a Monet masterpiece.
Why visit with us? In 2024 99% of our holiday customers said they would book again and 99% also said they would recommend us to a friend. Shaws Coaches has a strong reputation for a dependable service, with a proven track record for punctuality and professionalism. Our friendly booking team and highly-rated tour drivers are ready to welcome you.
What do our customers say? "Everyone on the coach was friendly and helpful and made the trip so good" • "Love the way that Shaws add interesting ports of calls on the journeys, great holiday" • "Excellent, safe driver, very patient and knowledgeable"
Holiday Insurance. We always recommend taking out adequate holiday insurance, that's why we’ve partnered with David Oliver Associates who offer cover specifically designed for your coach holiday. Find out more and get your free quote.
Tour code: A3490
Monday
Arrive on the beautiful south coast.
Tuesday
Step inside Monet’s ‘Water Lily Pond 1899’ this morning during a visit to Bennetts Water Garden. Walk over a Claude Monet style Japanese Bridge which crosses a peaceful lily pond, recreating the scene of this beautiful painting. These eight-acre gardens hold the National Plant Collection® of Water Lilies and you’ll find a new display of lotus in the Tropical House. This afternoon, board the Swanage Railway at Norden and follow this Victorian line to the coast at Swanage, passing through rolling Dorset countryside and catching a glimpse of the impressive fortification at Corfe Castle.
Wednesday
Spend your day at leisure in Bournemouth. The hotel is opposite the Russell Cotes Art Gallery & Museum which comes highly recommended by Shaws' customers (entry approx. £9.50pp). Don’t miss a special display on loan from The William Morris Society and the stunning Victorian glasshouse (offering incredible sea views) which reopened this year after extensive restoration. The hotel is a 10 minute walk (on a downhill slope) to the pier, where you might be tempted by the Victorian tea room and traditional fish & chips.
Thursday
Head deep into the New Forest this morning to Lyndhurst, a country village where quirky shops and cafés line the long and buzzing High Street. It’s free entry to the New Forest Heritage Centre with changing displays in the Gallery. Then, to the unique site at Buckler’s Hard on the banks of the Beaulieu River. Untouched by time, this 18th century shipbuilding village is steeped in history, with close links to Nelson’s incredible fleet. Learn all about it with a guided tour and museum access included. Finish the day with a calming cruise along Beaulieu River. This privately owned tidal river is carefully managed to ensure an unspoilt haven, rich in history and wildlife.
Friday
Time to head home.
- 4 night stay with breakfast
- 3 course dinner with tea/coffee every evening
- Entry to Bennetts Water Garden
- Journey on the Swanage Railway
- Guided tour & museum access at Buckler's Hard
- Beaulieu River Cruise
- Free time in Bournemouth & Lyndhurst
- Porterage
- Live hotel entertainment on two evenings (subject to numbers)
- All travel including home collection*
- International Passenger Protection
- Reserved coach seat
- 18kg suitcase pp
- 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
- HALF PRICE DEPOSIT OFFER! Book before 31 July 2025 and pay just £25pp with the balance due 8 weeks prior to departure (deposit rises to £50pp thereafter)
- 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 discoun
- SAVE £10PP by meeting the coach at Maxey, Stamford Bus Station or Peterborough Extra Services
- *Providing you live in Bourne, Stamford, Peterborough, Uppingham, The Deepings, Spalding, Whittlesey, Oakham and most of the villages between them and Maxey (we're happy to collect from outside of our free pick-up area with a small additional charge)
- *We’re pleased to offer home collection from the Welwyn area following our successful partnership with Reg’s Coaches. Departures from Welwyn, Welwyn Garden City, Codicote, Woolmer Green, Knebworth, Hatfield, Stevenage and many of the nearby villages incur a small supplement of £30pp. We’re happy to pick up outside these areas, please enquire
Marsham Court Hotel, Bournemouth 
- Less than 100m from the East Cliff Slope, leading down to Bournemouth seafront
- 10 minutes walk to Bournemouth Pier
- Ensuite rooms with TV, clock radio, hairdryer, ironing equipment, free WiFi, complimentary tea/coffee tray & bottled water
- Restaurant, bar/eatery, sea view terrace
- Outdoor pool (heated May-Sep)
- Aromatherapy massage (pre-book, extra charge)
ACCESS Lift but some bedrooms are accessed by steps only, limited walk-in showers, steep ramp to pool, accessible lift at hotel entrance
Ask us about sea view rooms and balcony rooms, which may be available at a supplement