icons of england and wales

Arrival in London and make your way to our hotel, conveniently located in the vibrant Gloucester Road area, opposite the Tube station. In the evening, meet with your tour leader and fellow travellers for drinks at 6pm followed by a tour briefing, and a celebratory welcome dinner. Overnight: The Bailey ’s Hotel.

🍽 dinner

After a lavish breakfast at the hotel our adventure begins when we walk across the street and into the Underground to explore London by rail and river. The Docklands Light Railway whips us down along the Thames all the way to Greenwich, through the new suburbs created from the restored industrial areas. Upon arrival at Greenwich, you’ll be given a combination ticket allowing access to all the major attractions, museums, and galleries of the National Maritime Museum and Royal Observatory. While there, we’ll visit the great clipper ship the Cutty Sark and have free time to wander the historic Naval Hospital and the town and enjoy lunch at leisure. We’ll enjoy an early dinner at a pub at Greenwich and then continue by ferry along the Thames soaking up the sights of this great city from the vantage point of its iconic river. Overnight: The Bailey ’s Hotel, London

🍽 breakfast, dinner

Today is yours - a free day in and around London to explore the many options on offer in this grand city. You may wish to take an excursion to the extraordinary collection at RAF Hendon Aircraft Museum or visit the Imperial War Museum. Alternatively, you may like to take advantage of the wonderful museums on offer, or explore the world of the British Royal Family. Our hotel is conveniently located right next to the Gloucester Road Tube station, which is just a few short stops along the Circle Line to central London, so there is no end of possibilities! Overnight: The Bailey ’s Hotel, London

🍽 breakfast

After breakfast and check out, we’ll leave our luggage with our courier who will take it separately to Portsmouth while we travel first class on the fast-express service operated by Southwest Trains down the old London and Southwestern Railway from Waterloo to Portsmouth. Upon arrival in Portsmouth, there’ll be time for lunch at leisure before we embark on an afternoon revolving around the many highlights of Portsmouth with your all areas pass, including the fascinating and extensive Portsmouth Historic Dockyard included. The afternoon is yours to explore the site and your experienced Tour Leader will be on hand to help guide and illuminate the amazing collection of memorabilia, and themed museum exhibits as well as many iconic ships including the famous Victory, Nelson’s flagship at the Battle of Trafalgar. We’ll return to our hotel to check in and be reunited with our luggage before enjoying dinner together in the grand dining room of the historic hotel. Overnight: The Queen’s Hotel, Portsmouth

🍽 breakfast, dinner

This morning after breakfast, we’ll take our coach to the port where a catamaran ferry will be standing by to take us across to the Isle of Wight. Upon arrival, the ferry connects with the island’s local electric train (vintage London Underground rolling stock) for the short run across the island to the terminus station of the Isle of Wight Steam Railway at Smallbrook Junction. This authentic heritage railway takes you by steam on the idyllic little line to the railway’s depot at Haven Street Station. Lunch is on your own at the railway ’s well-stocked café. After lunch, we’ll continue to the end of the island’s electric railway line where we’ll be transported by private coach to the chalk cliffs of the southern coast and back via the Needles, Old Battery Museum and the towns of Newport and Ryde. On the way, we’ll take the opportunity to visit Osborne House, one of Queen Victoria’s favorite residences, designed by Prince Albert himself as a summer house and retreat for the Royal Family. The ferry brings us back to Portsmouth and our hotel for an evening at leisure in this charming city. Overnight: The Queen’s Hotel, Portsmouth

🍽 breakfast

The Wight Steam Railway

The Wight Steam Railway

The Wight Steam Railway

The Chalk Cliffs

This morning after breakfast and checking out, we’ll board our private coach for the scenic journey to Bristol, with stops in Stonehenge and Bath. Our first stop is to explore the mysterious and magical Stonehenge, where the main stones date from about 2,500 BC. While much about them remains unexplained, the new museum and gallery add a wonderful insight to this iconic site and you’ll have time to explore the extraordinary site on the well curated walking path. The cafe offers a welcome refreshment before we continue our journey. We’ll then make a stop at the charming town of Devizes, where there’ll be time for some lunch at leisure and a chance to wander around this historic market town, full of delightful shops and a lovely museum showcasing the treasures that have been found in the area. Our next stop is just a short distance away - the magnificent city of Bath. We’ll enjoy a guided tour of this ancient and colorful city to marvel at the Roman Baths and the stunning Georgian architecture on show everywhere. It’s then on to Bristol to check into our hotel and enjoy dinner together in the city. Overnight: Radisson Blu Hotel, Bristol

🍽 breakfast, dinner

Mysterious And Magical Stonehenge

The Town Of Bath

This morning after breakfast, we’ll take an excursion just a short way down the road to the Fleet Air Arm Museum, one of Britain’s foremost collections of historic naval aviation history. Here you can see a vast array of interesting exhibits, including the story of the Battle of the Atlantic, the flight deck from HMS Ark Royal and Concorde, and many more across the five great halls of exhibits. Back in Bristol, the afternoon and evening is free to enjoy the city ’s many sites and attractions. Overnight: Radisson Blu Hotel, Bristol

🍽 breakfast

Fleet Air Arm Museum

After breakfast at the hotel and checking out, we’ll meet our local guide who will take us on a tour to reveal many interesting stories in and around Bristol. Our tour includes the city Docks, Brunel’s spectacular Clifton Suspension Bridge over the Avon Gorge, and Temple Meads Station—all part of the majesty of this great city. To top it off, we’ll take a tour in and around the magnificent and historic SS Great Britain. This ship was the first of its kind and became one of the most revolutionary and popular vessels ever built. After our exploration, we’ll depart Bristol for the journey by coach to Telford, our stop for the next two nights. On the way, we’ll stop at Swindon to visit ‘Steam’, an excellent museum celebrating the Great Western Railway, housed inside the original workshop buildings. A light lunch is provided at the museum before we continue north across the rolling rural scenery of Gloucester, Hereford and onto Shropshire, and Telford, a modern town with a rich industrial heritage. Named after the famous civil engineer Thomas Telford, it was developed in the 1960s as one of the UK’s “new towns” to accommodate the growing population and industrial needs. Despite its modern roots, Telford is surrounded by history and natural beauty. At its heart, Telford is known for Ironbridge Gorge, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is often regarded as the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution. The iconic Iron Bridge, built in 1779, spans the River Severn and is a testament to early engineering brilliance. Overnight: Holiday Inn Telford-Ironbridge, Telford

🍽 breakfast, lunch, dinner

Clifton Suspension Bridge In Bristol

Steam Museum Celebrating The Great Western Railway

Today we make the brief journey to Bridgnorth to visit the Severn Valley Railway. Running trains for nearly 60 years, the Severn Valley Railway is one of the UK’s leading heritage railways and a great day out. Opened in 1862, the Severn Valley Railway was originally part of the much longer Shrewsbury to Hartlebury line and contained 15 busy stations. Although plans to close the line began as early as 1961 and all passenger services stopped in 1963, a mere two years later a plan to save the Severn Valley line began in a pub –as most good things do! We’ll have the opportunity to ride in lovingly-restored period carriages and hauled by vintage steam and diesel trains, visiting some of the beautiful riverside towns and villages, and even riverside walks along the line. There’s also the ‘Engine House’ museum at Highley Station where you can get up close and personal with several steam locomotives. The SVR has been used as a filming location for several movies and UK TV series and is considered one of the most attractive heritage railways in the land. You will have plenty of options to have some lunch on your own, do some shopping and of course play trains. Upon our return to Telford, your evening will be at leisure. Overnight: Holiday Inn Telford-Ironbridge, Telford

🍽 breakfast

Severn Valley Railway
Out Of Bridgnorth

Severn Valley Railway
Out Of Bridgnorth

This morning after breakfast and checking out, we’ll reunite with our private coach and continue the scenic journey to the North Wales seaside town of Llandudno. On the way, we’ll take some time for lunch at leisure around the World Heritage-listed Conwy Castle before embarking on a guided tour of this magnificent 13th-century fortress that still towers over the town. Built by King Edward I and his architect Master James of St George in a barely believable four years between 1283 and 1287, Conwy takes its place alongside Edward’s other great castles at Beaumaris, Harlech and Caernarfon as a World Heritage Site.We’ll arrive in Llandudno later in the afternoon with an option to enjoy an excursion on the Great Orme Tramway, Britain’s only funicular, or cable-hauled, tramway that travels on public roads. Climbing 1500 metres through the Great Orme Country Park and Nature Reserve to the Great Orme’s spectacular summit, you’ll be able to relive the experience of travel more than 100 years ago in the lovingly restored original tramcars, each named after a Saint. It’s then on to our hotel for check in and dinner. Overnight: Waterloo Hotel, Betws-y-Coed

🍽 breakfast, dinner

The Great Orme Tramway
The Country's Only Funicular

The Great Orme Tramway
The Country's Only Funicular

The Great Orme Tramway The Country's Only Funicular

Today after a hearty breakfast we’ll embark on a series of train journeys on the railways of North Wales. Our coach will transport us to Caernarfon to meet the Welsh Highland Railway where you’ll jump on board to ‘steam’ down the line to Porthmadog. The famous Ffestiniog Railway is the scene for our next heritage train adventure along the scenic line to Blaenau Ffestiniog. The Ffestiniog Railway is the world’s oldest narrow-gauge railway and the oldest railway company still operating trains. The journey climbs over 213 metres from sea level into the mountains, through tranquil pastures and magnificent forests, past lakes and waterfalls, round tight bends, including a complete spiral - clinging to the side of the mountain or tunneling through it. You’ll then have time for lunch at leisure before the next leg takes us to Blaenau Ffestiniog where our coach will be waiting to transfer us back to the hotel. Upon arrival back at the hotel, your evening will be at leisure.Overnight: Waterloo Hotel, Betws-y-Coed

🍽 breakfast

The Welsh Highland Railway

The Welsh Highland Railway

We Spend The Day On The Welsh Highland
And Ffestiniog Railways

This morning after breakfast and checking out, we’ll board the train to Merseyside and the Port city of Liverpool. Upon arrival, our local guide is standing by to meet us and lead us on a tour of the city. Liverpool is famous for many things including its culturally and ethnically diverse population. The busy port city historically attracted many immigrants, especially from Ireland, Scandinavia, and Wales. It’s also the home of the earliest black community in the UK, the earliest Chinese community in Europe, and the first mosque in England. Our tour will include an exploration of the spectacular Liverpool Anglican Cathedral, one of Europe’s largest, and delve into the story of the Mersey Beat on a guided tour aboard the famous Mersey Ferry. Later on, enjoy some free time for lunch at leisure before regrouping for dinner later in the day at a local favorite. Overnight: Hard Days Night Hotel, Liverpool

🍽 breakfast, dinner

This morning after breakfast and checking out, it’s off to the station for the trip to one of England’s finest and most beautiful historic cities, the famous walled Minster City of York, via Manchester on the route of the world’s first true passenger railway, opened in 1839 at a location in a temporary wooden building outside the walls of the city. It was succeeded in 1841, inside the walls, by what is now known as the York Old Station. The current station, a magnificent curved structure, is something to behold. Opened in 1877, it was the largest railway station in the world, with 13 platforms, a train shed, station buildings and a hotel. By 1888, there were 294 trains every day. Another two platforms were added in 1909 to accommodate the growing demand. The station took extensive damage from German bombers during the Second World War, resulting in significant repairs being completed in 1947. York remains a key junction today and became a Grade 2 listed building in 1968. You’ll be able to buy lunch items on board and upon arrival, we’ll marvel at the station and hear about its history before heading off to enjoy a traditional afternoon tea at one of York’s famed Tea Rooms ahead of an afternoon walking tour of the city with our local guide, including the National Railway Museum. With Roman roots and a Viking past, York offers an eclectic mix of culture and history – with hidden gems and unique experiences around every corner. Overnight: Doubletree by Hilton, York

🍽 breakfast, dinner

The National Railway Museum

The National Railway Museum

Our adventure today is on one of the UK’s most extensive and authentic heritage railways, the North Yorkshire Moors Railway, taking us to the charming seaside town of Whitby. The Whitby & Pickering Railway was built as the culmination of attempts to halt the gradual decline of the port of Whitby. The basic industries of Whitby, whaling and shipbuilding, had been in decline for years and it was felt that opening up better links with the interior of the country would help to regenerate both town and port. With the opening of the railway in May 1836 the W&P operated a regular passenger service, which connected at Pickering with the stagecoach to York and thus the rest of the developing railway network. After breakfast, our modern day coach will transport us to Pickering to board the train for this wonderful journey. Upon arrival in Whitby, we’ll visit the rambling ruins of the old Whitby Abbey perched high on the hill overlooking the town, and a striking historic ruin with a rich history. Founded in 657 AD by St. Hilda, it became an important center for early Christian learning and hosted the Synod of Whitby in 664, a significant event that shaped the future of the English Church. The abbey was destroyed during the Dissolution of the Monasteries under Henry VIII in the 16th century, leaving behind the hauntingly beautiful Gothic ruins seen today. Being a maritime town, we’ll enjoy a hearty lunch of fish and chips, a Whitby favorite, before some free time to wander the fascinating streets. If we have time, we’ll stop by the Captain James Cook Memorial - he moved to Whitby in 1746 to become an apprentice seaman and then left to join the Navy in 1755. We all know what happened after that! We’ll return to York the way we came for an evening of leisure to explore York a little more at your own pace. Overnight: DoubleTree by Hilton, York

🍽 breakfast, dinner

The North Yorkshire Moors Railway

The North Yorkshire Moors Railway

The North Yorkshire Moors Railway

The North Yorkshire Moors Railway

This morning after breakfast, we’ll head off to see ‘how the other half lived’ with a private visit to Castle Howard, one of England’s most famous stately homes and one which carries the highest National Trust listing available. Built in the early 1700’s, the house is surrounded by a large estate covering over 13,000 acres at the time of building. Castle Howard is still a private residence and has been the home of the Carlisle branch of the Howard family for more than 300 years. It was such a significant estate that it was served by its own railway station from 1845 to the 1950s. The gardens are extensive with Grade 1 Listed garden buildings and statues throughout and include the 127 acres Yorkshire Arboretum, now run by an entirely independent charitable trust. The house and gardens has featured in numerous well known TV series and Films, including the adaptations of Evelyn Waugh’s novel Brideshead Revisited, Stanley Kubrick’s 1975 film Barry Lyndon; the 2013 TV series Death Comes to Pemberley; the ITV series Victoria; and more recently, the Netflix series Bridgerton. Upon our return to York, the afternoon and evening are yours to continue exploring this grand old city of the North and have some lunch at leisure. You may like to visit the National Railway Museum, housing an extraordinary collection of Britain’s most iconic railway treasures your Tour Leader will be only too pleased to arrange this. Dinner tonight is at leisure. Overnight: DoubleTree by Hilton, York

🍽 breakfast

After breakfast and checking out, we travel directly from York to visit incredible Foxton Locks in Leicester, home to the longest, steepest staircase flight of locks in Britain. The Grand Union Canal – as the name suggests – is a union of lots of smaller canals. In 1810 an Act of Parliament authorised a new section to be built from the Leicestershire and Northamptonshire Canal at Foxton to the Grand Junction Canal at Buckby. It meant that for the first time boats and cargos could travel from the River Thames at Brentford to the East Midlands, including the coalfields of Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire. The locks were opened in August 1814 and surprisingly, today, they’re essentially the same as when they were built. There’ll be time to grab some lunch before we continue south to Cambridge, arriving in the late afternoon. We’ll settle into our hotel located right in the heart of this atmospheric city. Renowned for its prestigious University of Cambridge, which dates back to 1209, the city is characterised by its beautiful medieval architecture, including the iconic King’s College Chapel, and scenic views along the River Cam, where punting boats are a popular attraction. Its charming streets, vibrant cultural scene, and lush green spaces make it a unique blend of tradition and modernity. Overnight: Clayton Hotel, Cambridge

🍽 breakfast, dinner

The Grand Union Canal

The Grand Union Canal

The Grand Union Canal

Today is a special one. We’ll immerse ourselves in a full day at the famous Duxford Air Show, one of the world’s biggest air displays, celebrating everything from a Sopwith Camel to supersonic fighters. Held at the Imperial War Museum in Duxford, a former RAF base with a rich history, the air show takes place several times a year, with different themes such as the Battle of Britain or Flying Legends. The event features a spectacular display of historic aircraft, including World War II Spitfires, Hurricanes, and Lancaster bombers, as well as modern jets like the Red Arrows. In addition to marvelling at the aerial performances, you can explore the museum’s extensive collection of military and civilian aircraft, engage with reenactments, and meet aviation experts. The show is a vibrant celebration of aviation history and innovation, with a mix of vintage warbirds and contemporary flight technology, assuring us of a most stimulating and fascinating day. Overnight: Clayton Hotel, Cambridge

🍽 breakfast

This morning after breakfast, we’ll embark on a guided tour of the city of Cambridge, including the museums at the University and a College visit. You may even want to take to the water and punt on the Cam! The afternoon is yours to enjoy some lunch at leisure and soak up the ambiance of this gorgeous city. Tonight, we’ll join together for a celebratory farewell dinner and drinks. Overnight: Clayton Hotel, Cambridge

🍽 breakfast, dinner

Our epic adventure concludes in Cambridge after breakfast this morning.

🍽 breakfast