Great Britain by Rail

Arriving in London Heathrow or Gatwick Airports, validate your BritRail Passes and join the Britain rail network. After a brief connection in central London, glide through the English countryside 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 including the Elizabethan Abbey, the Jane Austen Centre, Pulteney Bridge and the Royal Crescent, not to mention the spectacular Roman Baths and Pump Room.

Overnight: Bath

Journey details: 20 minutes to London (via Gatwick/ Heathrow Express) followed by 1 hour 30 minutes to Bath (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

A short train ride west takes you from Bath beneath the Severn Estuary and over the Welsh border to Cardiff, the Capital city of Wales. After dropping your bags at your hotel begin by wandering the Edwardian Baroque architecture of Cathays Park, home to the National Museum and Gallery of Wales, the Victorian market and shopping arcades or tour the famous Millennium Stadium home of the Welsh national rugby team. Not to be missed is the city's magnificent centrepiece at Cardiff Castle which combines Roman walls and Norman tower with a gloriously lavish Victorian mansion.

Overnight: Cardiff

Meals: Breakfast included

Journey details: 2 hours (approx.)*

A short train ride from the centre is the cosmopolitan Cardiff Bay; once the largest coal port in the world, the rejuvenated bay is now home to a host of sites including the seat of Welsh government, the Millennium Centre, the Victorian Pierhead building and Norwegian Church. By afternoon you may choose to take a local bus or taxi to the open-air museum at St Fagans which showcases Welsh life through the ages, or take a short train ride to nearby Caerphilly to see the magnificent ruins of the 13th century fortress at Caerphilly Castle complete with concentric moat and leaning tower.

Overnight: Cardiff

Meals: Breakfast included

Today, take the rails through the Welsh border Marches and into the heart of England to arrive in vibrant city of Birmingham which will be your base for two days. As England’s central rail hub, there are plenty of options for places to visit from here; make the short journey south to the medieval market town of Warwick to see the imposing Warwick Castle, or visit Stratford-upon-Avon, a picturesque town of Tudor timberwork buildings, abundant in heritage sites dedicated to its most famous resident the great bard himself, William Shakespeare.

Overnight: Birmingham (Central England Rail Hub)

Meals: Breakfast included

Journey details: 2 hours (approx.)*

Dedicate today to visiting the medieval university town of Oxford just over an hour by rail from your central England base; 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. By evening return to Birmingham, itself a vibrant city with an historic town hall and cathedral and fashionable canal side bars and restaurants.

Overnight: Birmingham (Central England Rail Hub)

Meals: Breakfast included

This morning board the train for a journey to the North of England and 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 30 minutes (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

Board the train once more and head north through the rolling hills of the Scottish Lowlands on route to Scotland's largest city, Glasgow. By contrast to the lakes, Glasgow is a vibrant city; explore the Victorian monuments of George Square, the bustling Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow Cathedral and Necropolis, Kelvingrove Park and Museum before enjoying a vibrant Scottish nightlife around the fashionable bars of the Merchant City or the West End.

Overnight: Glasgow

Meals: Breakfast included

Journey details: 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.)*

Today’s rail journey takes you on an epic journey through the heart of Scotland and the Cairngorm mountains to the wilderness of the Scottish Highlands. Your destination is Inverness, renowned capital of the Highlands. Straddling the banks of the river Ness, explore this picturesque Highland town from the cobbled Mercat Cross and St Andrews Cathedral to the hill-top castle and museum. You might find time for a spot of Highland shopping or indulging in the local pub scene.

Overnight: Inverness

Meals: Breakfast included

Journey details: 4 hours (approx.)

Join a local guide on a small-group adventure taking you through the wilderness of the Scottish Highlands to the remote Isle of Skye. Your journey will take you along the shores of Loch Ness and over the Northern Highlands to the iconic Eilean Donan Castle before crossing to the majestic Isle of Skye via Skye Bridge. You’ll see many of the islands highlights including the bustling fishing village of Portree and the striking geological features of the Trotternish Peninsula such as Kilt Rock and the Old Man of Storr. (Tour duration 12hrs approx – if you’d prefer shorter tour you can choose from a Loch Ness tour or Speyside whisky day-tour both subject to availability).

Overnight: Inverness

Meals: Breakfast included

Return South by rail to the capital city of Scotland, Edinburgh. Explore this magnificent city from the winding streets of the cobbled Old Town to the wide avenues of the opulent Georgian New Town. Stroll past the Gothic Burns Monument and through Princes Street Gardens before climbing the Royal Mile to the city's centrepiece at the magnificent Edinburgh Castle, home to the Scottish Crown Jewels, the Stone of Destiny and St Margaret's Chapel.

Overnight: Edinburgh

Meals: Breakfast included

Journey details: 4 hours (approx.)

Today explore Edinburgh in more depth; perhaps enjoy a spot shopping along Princes Street, visit Scotland’s national museums and galleries or discover Royal Edinburgh with visits to the Palace of Holyrood House, the Queens Edinburgh residence, or the Royal Yacht Britannia in Leith Docks, the official royal yacht for over forty years. By afternoon, take a short rail journey from Edinburgh to the historic town of Stirling, whose impressive castle was once the royal seat of Scotland. Alternatively, you could take an optional small group tour to St Andrews and the Fishing Villages of Fife.

Overnight: Edinburgh

Meals: Breakfast included

Hop on the train and head South once more through the rolling hills of the Scottish Lowlands and rugged landscapes of Northumberland 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: 2 hours 30 minutes (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

Today you’ll be whisked south to London on the high-speed line; this will be your base for your final two nights offering you time to explore 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. By evening why not take a flight on the London Eye for spectacular views of the city skyline.

Overnight: London

Meals: Breakfast included

Journey details: 2 hours (approx.)

Today explore London 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

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