A 'Wight' Christmas customer favourite
Tuesday 23 December 2025 to Saturday 27 December 2025
£725pp
- Destination
- Itinerary
- Full inclusions
- Hotel
- Booking request
Our very special festive breaks are always a wonderful opportunity to get together, with like-minded people, during the Christmas period. We carefully select hotels that we know will take care of you and the Esplanade in Ryde is no exception. After a very successful stay during Christmas 2023, we knew we had to return. With everyone in good spirits, our festive breaks are always very memorable.
Why travel 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 of Maxey 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 out customers say? "Hotel staff very attentive and very friendly, always helpful" • "I had a wonderful time" • "We found the hotel staff to be very friendly and food good" • In 2023 customers rated this holiday 4.5/5 based on content, overall satisfaction and value for money • In 2023 customers rated this hotel 4.3/5 based on catering, staff & service, bedroom comfort and public areas.
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: A3498
Tuesday
Board the mid-afternoon ferry over The Solent, arriving in time for a warming tea/coffee. There’s carol singers before dinner and party night with a live DJ playing music from the 50s-80s afterwards.
Wednesday
Head inland to the island’s principal town of Newport and explore the shops and cafés that surround the town's two main Georgian squares. Quay Arts is in the centre of town on the River Medina, the café is a firm favourite with locals and the changing exhibitions throughout the year offer an added attraction, there's a lovely little shop for souvenirs too. Shoppers will love the modern, covered, leisure complex at Friars Walk, full of all your favourite big brands. Spend your afternoon at leisure in Ryde, perhaps breathe in some fresh wintery sea air before dinner and this evenings’ musical entertainment.
Thursday
There’s something traditional about a Christmas day walk and what better place for it than along the prom? Indulge in a traditional Christmas lunch and later, tempt your taste buds with High Tea and a slice of cake before quiz time this evening!
Friday
After a quiet morning we’ll take an afternoon ride out to the quintessentially English village of Godshill, home to some of the island’s oldest architecture. There’s a festive buffet before entertainment from a DJ or singer tonight.
Saturday
Board the mid-morning ferry across The Solent to home, after a refreshing Christmas break.
- 4 night stay with breakfast
- 3 course dinner with tea/coffee (apart from Christmas Day)
- Christmas lunch with all the trimmings
- High Tea with cake on Christmas night
- Carol Singers and a DJ party night
- Christmas Day Quiz
- Musical entertainment one evening
- Return ferry from Portsmouth to Fishbourne
- Free time in Newport, Ryde and Godshill
- Welcome tea/coffee on arrival at the hotel
- Porterage
- 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
- LOW DEPOSITS! Just £50pp with the balance due 8 weeks prior to departure
- 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
- SAVE £10PP by meeting the coach at Maxey, Stamford Bus Station or Peterborough Extra Services
- £5PP DISCOUNT for National Trust Members
- *Free home collection 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
The Royal Esplanade Hotel, Ryde, Isle of Wight 
- Winners of a 2024 Travellers' Choice Award from Tripadvisor (ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor!)
- Situated at the foot of the Victorian Pier in the harbour town of Ryde
- Grade II Listed
- Within walking distance of sandy beaches, Ryde's pretty little harbour and boutique shops
- Shaws customers rated this hotel 4.3/5 stars in 2023 based on its food & drink, customer service, bedroom comfort and public areas
- Ensuite rooms with TV, radio, phone and hospitality tray
- Restaurant, bar and lounge
- Outdoor terrace
- Lift (unsuitable for mobility scooters)
ACCESS: There are 8 unavoidable steps leading to the hotel entrance and walk-in showers are available on request only. Please let us know if space for a wheelchair is required as there is limited capacity on ferry crossings