Railways of Southern England

Welcome to England & Windsor

Arrive at Heathrow Airport, where you will meet with your tour guide and coach.

Luggage will be loaded on the coach, and will be stored securely for the day.

Take the short journey to Windsor, where a full English style buffet breakfast will be served in the St Christopher Wren Hotel beside the River Thames.

After breakfast its just a short walk to Windsor Castle, where you will have a short guided tour of this magnificent Castle, Before rejoining the coach there will be some free time to purchase lunch.

We will then travel directly to Bath which is around 100 miles, and should take around 2 hours arriving mid afternoon.

On arrival in Bath, check into your hotel, where you will stay for 4 nights. The hotel is situated right in the heart of the City, so if you wish to take an evening stroll, there will be plenty to see and do.

Tonight there will be a light dinner served in the hotel.

Bath & the Roman Baths

After a Full English breakfast in the hotel, you will meet with your local guide, who will take you on a morning walking tour of this compact City.

You will see the Pulteney Bridge, bath Abbey, The Royal Crescent, the Pump rooms and the tour will end at the Roman Baths where you will have chance to see the stunning Roman architecture.

You have the chance to enjoy a lunch in the Pump room restaurants, or maybe an afternoon high tea instead?. The rest of the afternoon and evening will be at your leisure.

Didcot Railway Centre & STEAM

After breakfast, join with your guide, and travel to Didcot (around 90 minutes drive) to visit the Didcot Railway Centre where we should arrive around 10am – the home of the Great Western Railway.  Housed on a large site alongside Didcot Railway Station ( on the mainline between London and Bristol), you will find an historic engine shed, three running lines, stations, signal boxes and other line side memorabilia from the GWR railway. There will be chance to experience engine running during the visit.

Take lunch in the onsite cafe (not included)

After lunch rejoin the coach and travel to STEAM, the Museum of the Great Western Railway at Swindon (about 1 hour)

The Museum tells the history of the GWR, and its pioneer Isambard Kingdom Brunel.

After leaving Swindon, return to Bath, and the evening is at your leisure.

West Somerset Steam Railway

After an early breakfast, join your coach for the transfer to Bishops Lydeard (approx 1hr 45mins) and the West Somerset Steam Railway.

The Railway, a true country branch line of the old Great Western Railway is full of fascination

The historic steam locomotives, coaches and wagons, and the buildings of the ten unique stations linked by a twenty mile scenic journey will repay hours of exploration. The surrounding countryside is as varied as it is beautiful.

Return to Bath late afternoon, evening at your leisure.

Isle of Wight steam Railway & Osborne House

Early breakfast in the hotel, then depart by coach and travel to Southampton (around 2hours).

Board the Red Funnel ferry for the 1 hour crossing from Southampton to East Cowes, where on arrival drive to Osborne House – built for Queen Victoria in mid 1800’s as a summer house and retreat. There will be a guided tour of the house, rejoin the coach and drive to Havenstreet, which is the key station on the Isle of Wight Steam Railway.

There will be a light lunch in the refreshment rooms at Haventstreet, before boarding the train for a 10 mile round trip on the unique Island steam railway.

You will rejoin the coach for the short drive to Fishbourne, where we take the Wightlink ferry for the 45 minute crossing to Portsmouth.

On arrival in Portsmouth, it’s a short drive to your overnight hotel,  which is situated just on the edge of the City.

Dinner in the hotel will be included this evening

Bluebell Railway

After breakfast in the hotel, drive to “Hollycombe Steam in the Country” at Liphook (approx 40 minutes), which is home to Britain’s largest collection of working steam which includes a narrow gauge quarry railway. Rejoin your coach and we will stop at a country pub for a two course lunch before continuing to Sheffield Park to join the Bluebell Railway. Before taking the 11 miles steam hauled trip you can visit the museum and loco sheds. On arrival at East Grinstead, we will board the coach and transfer to Ashford (around 1 hour drive),where you will stay for 2 nights.

The evening is at your leisure.

Kent & East Sussex Railway & Chapel Down Winery

After breakfast in the hotel, we drive to Tenterden (25 minutes) and the first stop will be the Tenterden Museum for a short visit, then we join the Kent & East Sussex Railway at the station at Tenterden for the 20 mile return journey through un spoilt countryside to Bodiam and then returning to Tenterden. Tea/coffee and pastries will be served during the journey. There is a museum at Tenterden Station which you will visit after the journey.

We will have lunch in Tenterden, before an afternoon visit to the nearby Chapel Down Winery , where you will have a guided tour of the estate and have a tasting of some of the local wines.

Late afternoon return to Ashford and this evening  and dinner in the Hotel

Hampton Court Palace & Steam and Water Museum

After breakfast, drive to Hampton Court Palace (approx 90 minutes) where you will have a guided tour of King Henry VIII’s magnificent Royal Palace, the State apartments and the huge Tudor Kitchens. He extended and developed it after acquiring it in the 1520s and its many royal occupants have furnished the palace with decadent tapestries and paintings throughout the centuries. Set in 60 acres of formal gardens, including the famous maze and Great Vine.

Rejoin the coach, and a stop will be made for lunch in Richmond upon Thames, before continuing to Kew, and the Steam & Water Museum recognised as one of the most important historic sites of the water supply industry in Britain. Its collection of original Victorian steam pumping engines includes the largest working Cornish beam engine in the world as well as fascinating objects that tell the story of London’s past.

The fascinating collection showcases the evolution of steam engine technology over the centuries in exhibits from the engine houses, to the rotative engines and of course the Cornish engines. In addition you’ll also see examples of diesel, electric, water and animal powered pumping engines.

St Pancras Station and London Transport Museum

After breakfast, make your way to St Pancras Station by London Underground, ( a London Transport travel card will be provided) for a private tour with specialist guide of this newly refurbished Station, which still retains its classical charm. The tour will last around 1.5 hours.

In the afternoon, there will be a visit to the London Transport Museum in Covent Garden.

London Transport Museum explores the story of London and its transport system over the last 200 years, highlighting the powerful link between transport and the growth of modern London. The collection includes examples of the Steam trains which ran on the London Underground network.

Return to your hotel, and the rest of the evening at your leisure

Postal Museum & Mail Rail

Breakfast in the hotel, and this morning it’s a visit to the Postal Museum, using your London Transport travel card, and a chance to experience their unique Mail Rail train.

Where you will ride through the hidden tunnels and discover a unique piece of industrial heritage, then explore inspiring exhibitions packed with incredible objects, exciting stories and fun-filled interactive displays.

The rest of the afternoon and evening is at your leisure to explore London

Depart UK

Breakfast in the hotel, and there will be a coach transfer to Heathrow Airport for your return flight.