This Rail Tour features the best of the UK in one: not just the most scenic Scottish railroads, but historic English cities and rustic Welsh steam trains as well. The tour is very varied, taking you all over the country, for not one boring moment: coast at Barmouth, lake district in Ravenglass, castles in Edinburgh and London, you name it. We've selected comfortable hotels suited for a trip by rail, and with our daily guides and live support while you're travelling there can be no better and more comfortable way to explore this historic, beautiful country.

Day 1 - to London

You arrive in London by high-speed train, departing from the European station or airport of your choice, or by train from one of London's airports. Enjoy the rest of the day in this famous cosmopolitan and yet typically British city. You'll stay in a  modern hotel close to St. Pancras/King’s Cross and Euston stations.

Day 2 - to Wales

Board the first of many exciting train rides, first of all to Wales. Enjoy the scenic railway line along the coast, including the country’s longest wooden rail bridge still in use. After a few hours of breathtaking views of beaches, cliffs, and sea, you arrive in Llandanwg. Stay in a local guesthouse in Llandanwg or Barmouth, on some of the UK’s prettiest and quietest beaches.

Day 3 - Wales

Day off on the Welsh coast, a perfect base for a day trip hiking in Wales or to visit one of many historical scenic railways with steam locomotives, such as the Vale of Rheidol railway to the Devil’s bridge falls, the Tallylyn railway, or Fairbourne railway. Or, if the weather is nice enough, spend a day on the beach!

Day 4 - to the Lake District 

The local Welsh train takes you along the coast to the harbour town of Porthmadog, where you board the Ffestiniog railway, one of Wales’ most historic and most scenic steam railways. The trip by steam train through the countryside is one of the country's best. Regular local trains take you further on to Ravenglass, where you stay in a personal local guesthouse. 

Day 5 - Lake District

Spend a day in the famous and breathtakingly beautiful lake district. Visit Muncaster Castle, take a hike along the coast or board the Ravenglass-Eskdale scenic railway, run with steam trains, to see the landscape in the traditional way.

Day 6 - Fort William 

As you take the train from Ravenglas, you start to see the landscape change and see the Scottish hills and mountains appear. In Glasgow you change for the local train to Fort William, over the West Highland Line, one of the UK’s most beautiful railways. It has been voted the world’s prettiest railway in the past. Accommodation in Fort William in a local guesthouse.

Day 7 - West Highland Railway

Continue your journey on the West Highland Railway, passing over many historical bridges including the Glenfinnan viaduct (made famous by the Harry Potter movies). In Mallaig you transfer from the train onto the ferry for Armadale on the Isle of Skye. Upon arrival, visit the beautiful historic gardens of Armadale Castle, before heading by bus to Portree, a beautiful tiny village on the coast surrounded by cliffs. Accommodation in a local guesthouse.

Day 8 - Kyle of Lochalsh

Board the bus to Kyle of Lochalsh on the mainland. Here you board the local train to Inverness along the Kyle of Lochalsh line, less well known than the West Highland line but just as beautiful. The train takes you past endless forests, lakes, beaches, and bays, to arrive in Inverness in the afternoon. Accommodation in a guesthouse in the city center.

Day 9 - York

Depart in the morning by the early direct express train to York. Food and drinks are available and free for first class passengers. In the early You arrive in the small but beautifully preserved and historic city in the afternoon. Visit the cathedral or the National Railway Museum, Europe’s second largest, containing famous trains like the Japanese bullet train and record-breaking Mallard steam locomotive. You stay in a traditional hotel in the city center.

Day 10 - London

After another morning of sightseeing in York, you board the direct express train to London. You arrive in London in the late afternoon, where you either end your journey or change to the direct Eurostar high-speed train to Paris or Amsterdam.

For passengers ending their journey in London an extra night is booked as standard in London. Leave London on the 11th day or extend the amount of nights you stay here as you see fit.