The Complete Four Seasons Collection 2023-24

F loral C heshire & B eyond

Our summertime tour based in historic Chester includes visits to some of the finest gardens in Cheshire, The Wirral and the Welsh Borders. Bursting with an abundance of colourful floral displays and impressive historic houses plus, a relaxing river cruise and nostalgic steam train journey.

5 DAYS

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS ★ Guided tour of Arley Hall Garden’s dating back over 250 years ★ Cruise on the River Dee ★ Enjoy free time to explore Knutsford and Llangollen ★ Steam along the Welshpool & Llanfair Heritage Railway ★ Discover the impressive walled garden and servants’ quarters at NT Erddig House ★ Explore 64 acres bursting with floral summer displays Ness Botanic Gardens ★ Learn the fascinating story of Port Sunlight on a guided tour Also included in your Tour Fare: ★ 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 DAY 1 We arrive in Chester where our hotel is conveniently situated opposite the railway station. In the afternoon we can take a stroll to the ancient City Walls or Roman Gardens before our first evening meal together. (D) DAY 2 After breakfast we board our coach and travel to Arley Hall Gardens where we enjoy a guided tour within the eight acres of formal gardens. The gardens are regarded as one of the finest in Europe and have been created over the past 250 years, offering an interesting blend of long history, traditional design and inspired modern ideas. Following our visit we enjoy free time for lunch in nearby historic town

DEPARTS Sunday 6 August 2023

Fares From £539

FARES

FARE REGION London: Euston Greater London South of England East Anglia South West Midlands Yorkshire North East North West South Wales North Wales Heart of England

FIRST £819 £835 £885 £925 £879 £729 £635 £709 £799 £739 £825 £655 £835

STANDARD

£655 £675 £705 £719 £719 £635 £605 £635 £685 £629 £665 £585 £699 £549

by road to Llangollen with time to look around the beautiful riverside town and enjoy time at leisure. In the afternoon we visit the Erddig House & Gardens, an impressive National Trust property surrounded by a 13.5 acre walled garden. The garden is one of the most important surviving 18th century gardens in Britain and probably the biggest. During our visit we can also explore the hall’s servants’ quarters and gain a fascinating insight into the lives the people who worked below stairs. (B,D) DAY 4 We transfer the short distance to The Wirral, and our morning begins with a visit to Ness Botantic Gardens . We have an introductory talk on the history of 64 acres of spectacular gardens that offer lovely views over the Dee Estuary and have free time to explore the wonderful gardens bursting with life and vibrant colour. Following our visit, we continue to Port Sunlight , the village that William Hesketh Lever built for his Sunlight Soap Factory workers in 1888. Our guide explains the fascinating story of the village and we have free time to

Scotland

Join & Leave at Hotels

£10 tour discount for National Trust Members Single Room Supplement £110

of Knutsford , renowned for its array of restaurants, bars, and fine food purveyors. We return to Chester in the afternoon and enjoy a 3 0 minute cruise on the River Dee followed by free time at leisure in the city’s charming streets of black-and-white houses, its Roman museum, beautiful Cathedral, and the famous Rows. (B,D)

DAY 3 Today our private coach takes us over the Welsh border to Llanfair, here we board our vintage carriages and enjoy a delightful 8-mile return steam train journey along the Banwy Valley passing through country halts and over bridges on the Welshpool & Llanfair Heritage Railway . We then continue

*Please Note: Some local and regional train services are Standard Class seating only and First Class ticket holders will travel in standard class accommodation for these sections of their journey. 4 nights’ bed, breakfast & Table d’hôte evening meal, 1 lunch, plus light refreshments on the Strathspey Railway 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

explore the many attractions including the Port Sunlight Museum and Lady Lever Art Gallery before our return to Chester by train. (B,D)

DAY 5 We bid farewell to beautiful Cheshire as we make our way homeward. (B)

HOTEL Queen Hotel, Chester

Situated directly opposite the railway station, the 4-star Queen Hotel is characterised by its elegance and Victorian heritage.The en-suite bedrooms offer modern facilities including direct-dial telephone,TV, tea/coffee making facilities and free Wi-Fi.The hotel features delightful Italian gardens, bar, and restaurant.We have booked executive bedrooms and single travellers will have a double rooms for sole occupancy.

20 20

21

Visit: www.railtrail.co.uk – for full tour details and fares, and to book online or call 01538 382323 – to book or to request a detailed tour itinerary