Explore England by Rail

Arriving into London Heathrow or Gatwick Airports, validate your BritRail Passes and make your way in to the city on the airport express rail links. Spend the balance of your day relaxing or exploring the highlights of the stunning English Capital. London is a thriving metropolis with a vibrant modern culture and rich history and heritage. Explore world renowned sights including Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, Buckingham Palace and Trafalgar Square. In the east of the city you’ll find the Tower of London and St Paul’s Cathedral.

Overnight: London

Journey details: 20 minutes to London (via Gatwick/ Heathrow Express)

Today board the train for an epic rail ride to the South West of England. Your journey will take you over the Salisbury Plain and through the rolling hills of Dorset to the coastal lines of Devon. Your destination today is the seafaring town of Plymouth and your base for two nights. Stroll this historic port and visit the famous Plymouth Sound – see the hilltop lighthouse and Citadel overlooking the harbour and of course make your way to the Mayflower steps from where the Pilgrim Fathers set sail to America – in 2020 the town celebrates the 400 year anniversary of this famous voyage.

Overnight: Plymouth

Meals: Breakfast included

Journey details: 4 hours (approx.)

Today you can embark on one of England’s most scenic rail journeys as you head South West over the eerie Bodmin Moor then along the rugged Cornish coastline. Here you can choose to visit one or more of the charming Cornish cobbled fishing villages such as St Ives or Penzance; traditionally home to smugglers and pirates, today they host excellent arts scenes. Alternatively you might choose to visit the resort town of Falmouth to stroll the sandy bays and visit the hill-top coastal fort.

Overnight: Plymouth

Meals: Breakfast included

Returning north your train journey will take you through the rolling hills of Somerset on route to the elegant Regency city of Bath. An opulent Georgian city granted UNESCO World Heritage Status, Bath is home to a host of historic, cultural and architectural highlights. Spend your afternoon exploring the Elizabethan Abbey, the Jane Austen Centre, Pulteney Bridge and the Royal Crescent not to mention the spectacular Roman Baths and Pump Room parts of which date back over 2000 years.

Overnight: Bath

Meals: Breakfast included

Journey details: 3 hours (approx.)*

Today, join a local driver on a small-group day tour through the villages and countryside of Wiltshire. Enjoy a journey of discovery as you visit considered to be England’s prettiest village, the historic market town of Castle Combe. Then walk amongst the ancient standing stones at Avebury village and spot striking features of the local landscape such as Silbury Hill and Cherhill White Horse. Undoubted highlights of the day include visits to the iconic site at Stonehenge and Lacock Village whose pretty cobbled streets you may recognise from television and film including "Pride and Prejudice", "Downton Abbey" and "Harry Potter".

Overnight: Bath

Meals: Breakfast included

Board the train once again to journey to the historic university city of Oxford, your base for the next two nights. Here you can soak up the unique academic ambience and explore the lawns, quads and spires of renowned Oxford University which once inspired the likes of J.R.R. Tolkien and Oscar Wilde. Perhaps visit one or more of the famous colleges such as Magdalene and Christchurch or the Bodleian Library and New College Hall which were used as parts of Hogwarts in the "Harry Potter" movies.

Overnight: Oxford

Meals: Breakfast included

Journey details: 1 hour and 10 minutes (approx.)*

Today is dedicated to exploring the quintessential English landscapes and villages of the Cotswolds – take a short rail ride from Oxford to the market town of Moreton-on Marsh. Meet your local driver to begin your scenic journey through the country lanes and rolling hills of the heart of England – your day will be packed with rustic Cotswold views and we’ll pause regularly to enjoy some of England’s prettiest settlements. Visit eccentrically named villages such as Upper Slaughter, Stow-on-the-Wold and Broadway each bustling with local markets, honey-coloured homes and thatch cottages.

Overnight: Oxford

Meals: Breakfast included

Today head north in to the charming city of Chester to discover the many historic sites including the medieval City walls and gate towers, the stunning excavated Roman Amphitheatre and an impressive cathedral before wandering along the unique Tudor Facade The Rows offering some unique boutique shopping. Time-permitting you may choose to take a short rail ride to the contrasting but equally enchanting city of Liverpool. Achieving the accolade of European City of Culture in 2008, Liverpool is a thriving destination bustling with heritage sites dedicated to its most famous residents – the Beatles.

Overnight: Chester

Meals: Breakfast included

Journey details: 3 hours (approx.)

This morning board the train for a journey south once more through the Scottish Lowlands, over the border to England and in to the rustic landscapes of Cumbria. Arriving in the beautiful market town of Windermere on the shores of the famous Lake Windermere make your way to your hotel to drop your bags. Spend the afternoon exploring this charming lakeside town – wander the local boutiques, visit The World of Beatrix Potter exhibition, hike along the shores of the lake or take a private boat or leisurely cruise along on the tranquil waters of Lake Windermere.

Overnight: Bowness-on-Windermere

Meals: Breakfast included

Journey details: 3 hours (approx.)

Today is dedicated to exploring the rugged landscapes of the Lake District with a local guide on a small-group tour of this spectacular region. Your journey will take you off the beaten track over mountain passes, through deep valleys and passing sparkling lakes. Along the way you’ll stop at one or more the traditional Lakeland towns or villages such as Grasmere or Keswick and take in some of the region’s most iconic spots such as Borrowdale Valley, Thirlmere and Castlerigg Stone Circle. The highlight will be an included boat trip on one of the lakes itself.

Overnight: Bowness-on-Windermere

Meals: Breakfast included

Hop on the train and head east through the rustic landscapes of the Yorkshire Dales to York. This historic city is home to a wealth of historic and cultural sites to explore; wander the city from the cobbles of the famous Shambles (Britain’s first shopping street), to the medieval city walls, gates and towers. The highlight of course will be exploring the Gothic masterpiece at the iconic York Minster which dominates the city and marks York as the ecclesiastical capital of the North of England.

Overnight: York

Meals: Breakfast included

Journey details: 4 hours (approx.)

Today explore magnificent York in more depth; discover the city’s Viking history at the Jorvik Center, visit the opulent Georgian era townhouse at Fairfax House or see the Flying Scotsman itself at the National Railway Museum. A short train ride from York you’ll find the elegant Victorian spa town of Harrogate where you can shop in classic boutiques or take afternoon tea in one of the town’s many traditional tea-rooms. Alternatively enjoy an optional small group day-tour to either the Yorkshire Dales or Yorkshire Moors National Parks – subject to availability.

Overnight: York

Meals: Breakfast included

Hop on the high-speed mainline to back to London and drop off your luggage at your hotel. On your second visit to London you can explore in more depth; culture vultures will delight in some of the world’s most prestigious museums and galleries including the Tate Modern, the Victoria and Albert Museum, the British Museum and the Imperial War Museum. You may choose to stroll through Hyde Park to the elegant Kensington palace or simply enjoy the abundance of shopping opportunities, the city has to offer from the department stores of Oxford Street to the host of traditional street markets such as the one in Covent Garden.

Overnight: London

Meals: Breakfast included

Journey details: 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.)

With London as your base, take the opportunity to use your rail pass to visit any number of beautiful and historic cities in the South East of England. Perhaps head South in to the ancient county of Kent to visit two of her great towns; in Canterbury wander cobbled streets and tour the magnificent cathedral whilst a short on onward train ride takes you to Dover Castle and the war time tunnels deep within the cliffs. Alternative destinations might be the naval city of Portsmouth or the bohemian seaside town of Brighton. By evening return to London for your final night’s stay.

Overnight: London

Meals: Breakfast included

Today bid farewell to the UK as you board the Heathrow or Gatwick Express rail links to take you back to your departure airport.

Meals: Breakfast included