Here we have two itineraries that celebrate the age of steam, and most especially the much-missed steam rail journey. But while of especial interest to the steam train enthusiast, they are not designed to be exclusive. We've planned tours that celebrate our landscape (from the Cotswolds to Devon), our ancient towns (like Stratford upon Avon and Ironbridge Gorge) and our cultural heritage while using the steam rail theme. And there are opportunities for the long-suffering enthusiast's partner to see alternative attractions while the dedicated visit museums!

Let us transport you back to a gentler age, when travel was less rushed, and the sound of the steam whistle and rattle of wheel on track were romantic sounds.

Tour Code

Depart London

Return London

STEM 

your choice

your choice

Price depends on number travelling and time of year.
Indicative price based on a minimum of six travelling is GB£

NIGHTSTOP

DAY ONE

Depart London at 08.30. Today we drive through the magnificent Chiltern Hills and Oxfordshire countryside, first to the Chinnor and Princes Risborough railway, Icknield Line. En route, we'll stop at some historic and unspoilt villages (many having been used as film locations).

Then to Didcot which is holding a Steam Day, we'll enjoy the smell, sound and smoke of the steam engines and see the activities of a steam locomotive depot, including engines being coaled, watered and maybe turned on the turntable. There will the opportunity to ride on the 1930's trains during our visit. http://www.didcotrailwaycentre.org.uk

We'll continue our drive north through Oxford, 'city of the Dreaming Spires' to Stratford upon Avon.

Stratford-upon-Avon

DAY TWO

We'll spend the morning exploring Stratford with a visit to the Shakespearean houses and an optional boat trip on the Avon canal. Then it's all aboard for a 70 minute ride, on a historic section of track, to Birmingham on the Shakespeare Express!

Once in Birmingham we'll visit the The Tyseley Collection of Locomotives - comprises three GWR Castle class engines, an LMS Jubilee, GWR Hall, three GWR pannier tanks, a range of industrial engines and several visiting locos. www.vintagetrains.co.uk/brm.htm

Warwickshire

DAY THREE

This afternoon we travel back to the birth place of the industrial revolution and the modern economy. Highlights here will not only include the famed iron bridge itself but Blists Hill, a Victorian town, where you can soak up the atmosphere of this historic ironworking town. If time, there'll also be a visit to the Coalport China Museum and ending our day up in Coalbrookdale at the museum of iron and the original owner's great houses.

This afternoon our great experience is travelling on the Severn Valley Railway from Bridgenorth, Shropshire's gem of a market town. The Seven Valley Railway recreates for you an age when people had time to stop and look. Each of its six stations is an architectural delight surrounded by carefully tended gardens. From carriage window you'll glimpse the ancient Wyre Valley Forest, pass the picturesque riverside town of Bewdley with its quayside and Georgian houses, pass the timeless village of Arley to the terminus at Kidderminster.

The Malvern Hills

We'll drive the short distance to Swindon, and our final tour highlight - 'STEAM', the Museum of the Great Western Railway. Set in a restored Grade II listed building parts of which date back to the 1840s, this brand new museum celebrates the story of the men and women who worked on the GWR for seven generations. When the GWR Works closed on 27th March 1986 it was the end of an era; an era that lasted 143 years and made Swindon one of the most important industrial towns in the world. For over a decade, machines stood idle, tools lay undisturbed. Now transformed into a state of the art multi-million pound museum with famous locomotives, real rolling stock and superb displays of the stories of the people who made 'God's Wonderful Railway'. http://www.swindonweb.com/steam

Long-suffering partners may enjoy the alternative highlight of the factory shopping outlets where well-known brand fashions are available at wonderfully inexpensive prices. Of course, having put up with trains for a few days , you'll deserve some serious shopping!

We arrive back into London by approximately 18.00. This has been four days to remember with unforgettable experiences for all.

Then the short distance to Swindon, and 'STEAM', the Museum of the Great Western Railway. Set in a restored Grade II listed building parts of which date back to the 1840s, this brand new museum celebrates the story of the men and women who worked on the GWR for seven generations. When the GWR Works closed on 27th March 1986 it was the end of an era; an era that lasted 143 years and made Swindon one of the most important industrial towns in the world. For over a decade, machines stood idle, tools lay undisturbed. Now transformed into a state of the art multi-million pound museum with famous locomotives, real rolling stock and superb displays of the stories of the people who made 'God's Wonderful Railway'.
http://www.swindonweb.com/steam

Again our steam theme give us the opportunity of enjoying various sites and some lovely, varied scenery, often viewed from a stately carriage window.

Our first highlighT of the day will be boarding the West Somerset Railway from Bishop's Lynard to Minehead. This was the train that featured in the Harry Potter films as the 'Hogwarts Express'. Its route takes us through 20 miles of glorious Somerset countryside as the train gently rolls back the years on its journey beside the Quantock Hills to the Bristol Channel.

In Minehead there's a choice. Rail enthusiasts can continue their love affair with a visit to the Somerset & Dorset Museum. As an alternative treat, however, other tour participants can either explore this seaside resort, or perhaps take a steamer out onto the Bristol Channel and enjoy another long-forgotten pleasure.

By way of complete contrast, we'll also visit the prehistoric caves at Cheddar Gorge as our final highlight of the day.

Here we'll board the South Devon Railway. The line runs alongside the river Dart through stunning Devon scenery. You'll disembark at Staverton and take a walk along an ancient packhorse bridges, see a 14th century church and explore a village forgotten by the modern world.

Our final call of the day will be at the town of Totnes, one of Devon's jewels with a fine castle, museum and shopping to enjoy.

Naturally, there'll be an opportunity to sample a traditional 'Cream Tea' somewhere enroute!

Tonight we'll stop on the English Riviera, at one of the Victorian resort towns, and enjoy an evening beside the seaside.

If time permits, we'll complete our day with a visit to see the lovely Water Cress line that pulls its way through Jane Austen country on our return to London. .

We return to London by 18.00.

© As we publish full tour descriptions, you may find others offering our unique itineraries.  But, just as you find when others sing the songs of Paul McCartney, they're often not quite as good as when sung by the original composer!