Railtrail Annual Brochure 2020

G rand T ours by R ail – L and ’ s E nd to

Travel coast to coast from Land’s End to John O’Groats, including many of Britain’s great scenic rail journeys along the way. Explore England, Scotland & Wales on a one off, once in a lifetime, grand rail tour of mainland Britain!

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

DAY 1 We arrive in Cornwall in Falmouth for three nights at the fabulous Royal Duchy Hotel. Here we check in and relax ahead of dinner together. (D) DAY 2 We begin our excursions by travelling through charming, un-spoilt Cape Cornwall en route to Land’s End , the westernmost point of Cornwall and England. Our round trip then continues, calling in at the lovely fishing village of Mousehole , before returning to Falmouth. (B,D) DAY 3 A leisurely day allows you to relax in Falmouth. (B,D) DAY 4 We head to Falmouth station which marks the beginning of our adventure northwards. Travelling in the class of your choice once we reach the main line, we cross through Cornwall into Devon , cruising by rail alongside the famous sea wall at Dawlish . Heading through the Southwest, we travel through the beautiful Heartland of England changing trains at Birmingham New Street. At Chester we make our way to the lovely Queen Hotel where we will be based for three nights. (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 ★ ★ Relax in Falmouth, Cornwall ★ ★ Visit Land’s End & Cape Cornwall ★ ★ Marvel at the Welsh Highland Railway & the Ffestiniog Railway ★ ★ Enjoy the Llangollen Steam Railway & a Canal Cruise ★ ★ Unwind in the heart of the Scottish Highlands at Bridge of Orchy ★ ★ Steam across Glenfinnan Viaduct on the Jacobite Steam Train ★ ★ Take in the lovely scenery through the Great Glen alongside Loch Ness ★ ★ Stay at the original Railtrail hotel, the Palace in Inverness ★ ★ Enjoy Dave’s original ‘Great Railway Journey’ on the Kyle Line ★ ★ Touch the top of the country at John O’Groats Also included in your Tour Fare:

Fares From £2289

Lands End, Cornwall

© Helen Hotson/AdobeStock

DAY 5 Our coach transfers us along the North Wales Coast to Caernarvon , where we board the magnificent Welsh Highland Railway for a steam hauled journey climbing into Snowdonia, twisting around forests to Beddgelert and through the much treasured beauty of the Aberglaslyn Pass . At Porthmadog we enjoy some free time for lunch before we embark on the Ffestiniog Railway for a narrow gauge steam adventure , climbing inland to the unique landscape of Blaenau Ffestiniog. (B,D) DAY 6 We make the short journey by road to the Llangollen Canal , where we take a breathtaking aerial cruise across one of the ‘Seven Wonders of the Canals’ , the spectacular Pontcysyllte Aqueduct . Crossing 126 ft above the River Dee, it is the highest and longest aqueduct in Britain and a World Heritage site. We continue to Llangollen for a little free time to look

around the delightful town before a heritage diesel train ride along the beautiful Dee Valley. (B,D) DAY 7 Our journey north continues in the class of your choice via the West Coast Mainline into Glasgow. Here we continue in Standard Class on the first section of the West Highland Line , dubbed one of the world’s greatest railway journeys. The first part of the journey is dominated by wonderful watery landscapes, as we skirt the Firth of Clyde, Loch Long and Loch Lomond , before climbing into the western Highlands to Bridge of Orchy , where we spend two nights at the beautifully renovated Bridge of Orchy Hotel. (B,D) DAY 8 We transfer to Fort William to join the famous ‘Harry Potter’ Jacobite steam train to Mallaig. Glenfinnan Viaduct , Bonnie Prince Charlie’s monument and Loch Shiel are viewed before bursting out onto the Atlantic

Cape Cornwall

The Spectacular Welsh Highland Railway

© Visit Cornwall

© Dave Gibson

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

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