The Complete Four Seasons Collection 2023-24

I ronbridge V ictorian C hristmas & S team

Step back in time and experience the magic of Christmas in a bygone era on our Shropshire festive tour. Explore Blists Hill Victorian town, soak up the atmosphere, revel in the traditional celebrations and see 1800’s style entertainment, visit Ironbridge the birthplace of the industrial revolution, discover the fascinating history of ceramic making Coalport China Museum, experience ‘Steam in Lights’ on the Severn Valley Railway and tempt your taste buds at Birmingham’s Christmas market with bratwursts and warming glühwein!

4 DAYS

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS ★ 3-night stay at the Mercure Telford Centre Hotel on a half board basis ★ Visit Birmingham’s Christmas market, the largest authentic German Christmas market outside Germany! ★ ‘Steam in Lights’ through enchanted Shropshire countryside and see dazzling festive displays on the Severn Valley Railway ★ Experience the sights, sounds and smells of a Victoria Christmas at Blists Hill ★ Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site Ironbridge dating back to 1781 ★ Walk inside the original kilns and discover the fascinating history of ceramic making at Coalport China Museum 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 DAY 1 Arriving at Telford Central station, we transfer to the Mercure Hotel. We can explore the town or enjoy the hotel’s leisure facilities ahead of dinner. (D) DAY 2 After breakfast we travel by rail to Birmingham to visit the Frankfurt Christmas market* and enjoy free time to wander around the festive stalls, purchase traditional Christmas gifts and sample delicious continental food and drink. In the afternoon we transfer by private coach to the Severn

DEPARTS Friday 1 December 2023

FARES

FARE REGION

FIRST £669 £685 £735 £769 £705 £579 £485 £675 £789 £579 N/A £555 £865

STANDARD

Fares From £449

London: Kings Cross Greater London South of England East Anglia South West Midlands Yorkshire North East North West South Wales North Wales Heart of England

£519 £535 £555 £569 £565 £479 £455 £549 £615 £489 £499 £479 £655 £449

displays glide past our windows. We return to Telford by coach and enjoy our dinner together. (B,D) DAY 3 This morning a private coach journey takes us to Blists Hill, a recreated 1800’s town and time capsule of a bygone age. Here we experience the wonder of a magical Victorian Christmas and can walk the streets under falling snow, warm up by the fireside in the cosy cottages and watch as the townsfolk busily prepare for Christmas. We can enjoy delicious food and soak up the festive atmosphere. Following our nostalgic visit, we travel the short distance to the Ironbridge Gorge UNESCO World Heritage Site and enjoy free time to view the famous Iron Bridge that opened in 1781 and is a symbol of the Industrial Revolution. Later in the afternoon we continue to the nearby Coalport China Museum to view some of the finest examples of Coalport & Caughley China and explore the original industrial workshops and kilns in which these

Scotland

Join & Leave at Hotel

Single Room Supplement £90 *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. 3 nights’ bed, breakfast & evening meal Rail travel & seat reservations from your Home Station to Tour Base (Standard or First Class) Rail & coach transfer as described All excursions as detailed. Services of experienced Railtrail Tour Manager

Valley Steam Railway* at Bridgenorth to experience a magical adventure on a steam train wrapped in thousands of lights! We listen to Christmas music and the delightful on-board narration as we settle into our seats in the festively

decorated vintage carriages. During our wonderful ‘Steam in Lights’ journey we take the 16-mile route closely following the River Severn from Bridgnorth to Kidderminster return and enjoy incredible lineside illuminated dazzling

unique products were manufactured. We return to our hotel by coach and enjoy our final dinner together. (B,D) DAY 4 We bid farewell to beautiful Shropshire, and we make our way homeward. (B)

*Important Note: Birmingham Christmas market and the Severn Valley Railway timetable are subject to change and cancellation and have not been confirmed for 2023 at the time of tour compilation. We do reserve the right to make substitutions and changes to the itinerary should it be deemed necessary for whatever reason.

HOTEL Mercure Telford Centre Hotel, Telford

The 4-star Mercure Telford Centre hotel is situated in the heart of the town. The comfortable newly refurbished bedrooms offer flat screen TV, Hairdryer, Ironing board, free Wi-fi and safe.The hotel offers a light and spacious restaurant and bar, and guests have complimentary access to onsite leisure facilities, which include a gym and an indoor pool.

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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