Touring the UK by Rail 2019

D evon C oast to C oast & W est S omerset S team

NEW I T I NERARY

Enjoy a steam gala from charming Dunster, explore England’s longest heritage railway, visit beautiful Lynton and Lynmouth, connected by their Cliff Railway, explore Devon from coast to coast from the the iconic sea wall at Dawlish Warren to the branch line to Barnstaple, and enjoy in South Devon steam from seaside Torquay.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

★ ★ Arrive in Torquay along one of Britain’s truly great coastal rail journeys ★ ★ Enjoy the South Devon Steam Railway to Buckfastleigh ★ ★ Travel by steam train along the beautiful English Riviera coast line ★ ★ Glorious sightseeing around Torquay ★ ★ Visit Dartmouth, historic naval town ★ ★ Idyllic circular cruise viewing sights from the majestic River Dart ★ ★ Torquay hotel is on the stunning seafront ★ ★ Explore Lynton & Lynmouth, connected by their Cliff Railway ★ ★ Day Rover ticket on the West Somerset Railway Steam Gala ★ ★ Round trip on the Lynton & Barnstaple Steam Railway ★ ★ Explore the Tarka Line to Barnstaple in North Devon 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 Arrive on the English Riviera at Torquay and the Livermead House Hotel, conveniently situated on Torquay’s seafront. (D) DAY 2 We travel to Totnes , where we join the oldest preserved steam railway in the south-west, the South Devon Railway . Following a pretty route through the Dart Valley on a former GWR branch line, we follow a scenic seven mile journey connecting the beautifully maintained stations at Totnes and Buckfastleigh . (B,D) DAY 3 Today we travel by steam train alongside the English Riviera coastline and Dart Estuary to Kingswear. We take a short ferry crossing to the historic resort of Dartmouth where there is free time for some sightseeing before a gentle circular river cruise. We return by steam train to Paignton, and onwards to our hotel. (B,D) DAY 4 We depart Torquay and our scenic coast to coast journey begins along the sea wall at Dawlish . We join

Fares From £850

West Somerset Railway

© Julia Aimes

7 DAYS

the Tarka Line for a 39 mile journey along the gentle valleys of the Taw and Yeo to Barnstaple. Transferring across into North Devon, we take a short steam ride on the Lynton & Barnstaple Railway , the beginning of a project to link Lynton and Barnstaple by narrow- gauge steam. We continue to Dunster in the Exmoor National Park. Here we spend three nights at the charming Yarn Market Hotel in Dunster’s pretty High Street. (D) DAY 5 A short coach transfer across the northern edge of the Exmoor National Park takes us to Lynton , a charming coastal village overlooking Lynmouth 500 feet below at the shore’s edge. We enjoy free time here, transferring between the two villages in unique style and with great views on board the Lynton & Lynmouth Cliff Railway , the steepest water-powered railway in the world. (B,D) DAY 6 Today you can spend as you wish, however, we are providing a Day Rover ticket for the West Somerset Railway Steam Gala . Explore the tracks to Bishops Lydeard or stop off in Minehead, Watchet or the railways other beautifully preserved stations. Alternatively, explore quaint Dunster or visit its castle. (B,D) DAY 7 We bid farewell to new found friends and return homeward. (B)

DEPARTS

Tuesday 1 October 2019

FARES

FARE REGION

FIRST STANDARD RC £985 £930 -£10 £1015 £950 -£15 £1025 £955 -£15 £1035 £970 -£20 N/A £890 -£5 £1,035 £935 -£15 £1,095 £975 -£25 £1,135 £1,005 -£25 £1,065 £965 -£20 £1,095 £950 -£20 £1,080 £965 -£20 £1,195 £1,045 -£30 £990 £935 -£15

London: Paddington Greater London South of England

East Anglia South West

Heart of England

Midlands Yorkshire North East North West South Wales North Wales

Scotland

Join & Leave at Hotel

£850

Single Room Supplement £75 6 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

HOTELS

The Yarn Market, Dunster A small family-run hotel in medieval Dunster, dominated by its castle, on the edge of the Exmoor National Park. Situated on the High Street in the village centre, the ancient Yarn Market stands directly in front of the hotel. The Livermead House Hotel, Torquay The Livermead House is an elegant hotel built in 1820 offering a traditional flavour on Torquay’s water’s edge. It’s a level walk along the promenade to the town centre and there is free Wi-Fi Internet access in all public areas

Cliff Railway at Lynton & Lynmouth

South Devon Railway

©cliffrailwaylynton

© SDR

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

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