Railtrail Annual Brochure 2020

D orset C oast & I sle of W ight S team

Explore delightful Dorset by steam train and marvel at the Jurassic Coast from our boat trip along the shoreline. Enjoy Exbury Gardens, ride on the estate’s ‘Rhododendron Line’ narrow-gauge steam railway and relax at our new hotel for 2020 on Bournemouth’s East Cliff. Round off your holiday in great style with a day’s adventure on the Isle of Wight.

DAY 1 Arrive in Bournemouth and transfer to the Best Western Royale Hotel, superbly situated on the East Cliff. Perhaps head into Bournemouth or take a stroll along the East Cliff before we enjoy our first dinner together this evening. (D) DAY 2 Our first excursion heads first to Poole , from where we join our boat trip along the Dorset coast . Cruising through beautiful Poole Harbour, we view the start of the Jurassic Coast , a remarkable natural landscape protected as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Passing Old Harry Rocks, we sail into Swanage Bay , disembarking at Swanage’s Victorian pier. During our time in Swanage we enjoy a return journey on the nostalgic Swanage Railway , which operates along six miles of track from Swanage past the magnificent ruins of Corfe Castle. We return to Poole by boat, then coach to Bournemouth, we enjoy dinner at the hotel. (B,D) ★ ★ Dinner every evening ★ ★ Rail travel & seat reservations from your Home Station to Tour Base (Standard or First Class) ★ ★ Services of experienced Railtrail Tour Manager ★ ★ Hotel Porterage TOUR HIGHLIGHTS ★ ★ Return boat trip along the Jurassic Coast ★ ★ Nostalgic journey on the Swanage Railway ★ ★ Travel through the New Forest to Exbury Gardens ★ ★ Ride on Exbury’s ‘Rhododendron Line’ narrow- gauge steam railway ★ ★ Return rail and ferry to the Isle of Wight ★ ★ Free time in Shanklin on the Isle of Wight ★ ★ Experience the ‘Island Line’ ★ ★ Journey back in time on the Isle of Wight Steam Railway ★ ★ Bournemouth seaside hotel with indoor swimming pool Also included in your Tour Fare:

Fares From £525

Isle of Wight Steam Railway

5 DAYS

© IOW Steam Railway

DAY 3 Today we depart Bournemouth travelling by coach into the delightful New Forest , whose pretty villages and verdant forests are disturbed only by the native ponies or deer. We enjoy a visit to Exbury Gardens , famed for its exotic displays of flowers throughout the year. Here we take a ride on the estate’s narrow-gauge steam train, charmingly known as the ‘Rhododendron Line’ , following a circuit through beautifully landscaped gardens and woodland. (B,D) DAY 4 Transferring to Lymington, we join the Wightlink ferry to transport us the short distance to Yarmouth on the Isle of Wight . Our coach awaits for a scenic ride along the western side of the island, around the southern tip to Shanklin . We take the Island Line service to Smallbrook Junction. Due to the low ceiling of Ryde Tunnel towards the northern end of the 8 mile stretch of track, normal size trains cannot operate on the island, which led to the Island Line using refurbished London Underground trains. At Smallbrook Junction we switch onto the nostalgic Isle of Wight Steam Railway , crossing the island’s heart through picturesque countryside to Wootton. Returning from Wootton to the railway’s Haven Street station, we transfer by coach to Yarmouth for our ferry and transfer back to Bournemouth. (B,D DAY 5 We bid farewell to Bournemouth and head homewards. (B)

DEPARTS

Monday 18 May 2020 Monday 14 September 2020

FARES

FARE REGION

FIRST STANDARD

London: Waterloo Greater London South of England

£629 £665 £735 £679 £719 £729 £775 £825 £905 £879 N/A £829 £945

£585 £599 £619 £625 £649 £635 £655 £685 £725 £709 £605 £685 £739 £525

East Anglia South West

Heart of England

Midlands Yorkshire North East North West South Wales North Wales

Scotland

Join & Leave at Hotel

SEPTEMBER Departure Supplement

£25 £50

Single Room Supplement

4 nights’ bed, breakfast & Table d’Hôte evening meal Rail travel & seat reservations from your Home Station to Tour Base (Standard or First Class) Rail & coach travel, with transfers as described All excursions and admissions as detailed Services of experienced Railtrail Tour Manager Hotel Porterage

Shanklin Old Village

© Swanage Railway © Andrew PM Wright

HOTEL

The Best Western Royale Hotel, Bournemouth

Located on Bournemouth’s tranquil East Cliff, the hotel is just a short stroll from the shops and seven miles of beautiful beach. The Royale has a spacious lounge and bar area, brasserie restaurant, indoor swimming pool and sheltered gardens to relax in. The en-suite rooms all feature free Wi-Fi, TV and tea & coffee making facilities.

Swanage Railway

Beautiful Jurassic Coast

© Saffron Blaze

Book now – online at www.railtrail.co.uk or telephone: 01538 382323

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