A unique opportunity to travel the full length of Britain on board a special train hauled by vintage diesel locomotives. Over 2,000 miles of scenery, towns, villages, coasts, Scottish Mountains, wild moors, cross the famous Forth and Tay Bridges. Visit the extreme ends of Britain -Land's End and John O'Groats plus experience the high speed tilting train and a ride behind steam.
THE ITINERARY
Tuesday June 17: Own arrival arrangements into London. Accommodation overnight at the Thistle Hotel, by London Euston train station.
Wednesday June 18: (B/L) Morning departure by fast tilting "Pendolino" train over the West Coast Main Line from Euston to Wolverhampton (2 hours) travelling in 1st class. On arrival travel by road (15 miles) to Bridgnorth for the Severn Valley Railway. There will be a visit to the engine house then ride behind steam over this 16-mile scenic line while dining on traditional roast beef or chicken in the dining car (vegetarian option also available). Afterward travel by road to the Black Country Museum at Dudley, a working museum of the industry of this historic area - mines, a tramway, glass making, steel works, shops, a pub and much more. The visit includes a ride on a vintage tram and canal boat ride deep into old mining caverns. Stay overnight at a hotel in the heart of Birmingham.
Above Black Country Museum. Photos below of the Severn Valley Railway and scenes along the mainline.
Overnight in Birmingham
Thursday June 19: (B/L/D) By road to Tyseley, just south of the city centre, for the departure of the special UK Private Train tour. Travel on board will be in Pullman Class with seats at tables for two and four persons. These coaches - dating back to the 1950's, were formerly used on the prestigious East Coast Pullman trains and have been lovingly restored. Breakfast is served as you depart for the West Country by way of Bristol, Exeter, the famous coastal wall line through Dawlish, on through Plymouth, lunch on board, then past St. Michael's Mount to end of tracks at Penzance. Coach transfer by road the 9 miles to Land's End before returning to the train. Dinner is served as the train returns as far as Plymouth. Transfer to a hotel for overnight stay. Why not visit the Plymouth Steps in the historic Barbican area of the city where the Pilgrim Fathers set sail for America.
Overnight in Plymouth
Friday June 20: (B/L/D) Breakfast is served after departure from Plymouth. Travel via Bristol then through the Severn Tunnel to Cardiff, Wales and Swansea before taking the scenic Central Wales line through Llandridnod Wells and Craven Arms to Shrewsbury and on to Chester. Lunch and dinner on board. Transfer to the hotel in Liverpool and overnight.
Saturday June 21: (B/L/D) Meals served on board as the train travels from Chester by way of Preston, over Shap Summit to Carlisle then into Scotland passing through the Grampian and Cairngorm Mountains to Aviemore and hotel check-in.
Sunday June 22: (B/L) The train heads through the wild far north of Scotland to Wick where coaches are waiting to take you to John O'Groats and the Castle of Mey. Rejoin the train at Thurso - Britain's most northerly station and return to Aviemore for lodging.
Monday June 23: (B/L/D) From Inverness the train travels by way of Aberdeen and Dundee before crossing the famous Tay and Forth Bridges continuing through Edinburgh, Berwick, Newcastle, Doncaster and Sheffield to an evening arrival back into Tyseley. Transfer to a centrally located hotel in Birmingham.
Tuesday June 24: (B/L) By road to Stratford on Avon including a sightseeing tour of Shakespeare's birthplace, Ann Hathaway's Cottage, the Theatre, the church where he is buried, the school where he was educated and Mary Arden's House. Relax over lunch (included) whilst cruising along the River Avon before taking a diesel railcar to London Marylebone station, stay overnight at the superb Landmark Hotel by the station and handy for many of the sights of London.
Stratford on Avon, Shakespeare's birthplace
Back To London On The Last Night Of The Tour
Wednesday June 25: Individual departures.
PRICES ALL PRICES ARE PERSON
DOUBLE ROOM OCCUPANCY.................$3795
SINGLE ROOM SUPPLEMENT................$1095
DEPOSIT TO HOLD SPACE.................$1500
FINAL PAYMENT DUE MARCH 7, 2008
THE TOUR COST INCLUDES:
All rail travel in Pullman Class on board the special train
All meals as outlined (full cooked breakfast, lunch and 3-course evening meals)
Hotel accommodation in rooms with private facilities
Train/hotel transfers at Plymouth, Chester, Inverness and Birmingham
Admissions to Lands End and Castle Mey
Inter-hotel baggage transfers (no need to carry your luggage)
Commemorative booklet
Rail travel London to Wolverhampton in 1st class
Rail travel Stratford to London in Standard class
Steam train ride with lunch
Black Country Museum entrance, tram and canal boat trip
Stratford tour and Avon cruise with lunch
Private coach transfers
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