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Explore England by Steam Trains and Boats!
Moderate pace with leisurely intermittent walks up to 2 hours on a variety of terrain, including cobblestones and moderate hills. Must be able to climb at least two flights of stairs, negotiate steps without railings and tolerate periods of standing during guided tours. Some days may include 3–5 km of walking over the course of the day.
We fly direct from Toronto to London.
Upon arrival we are greeted by our local guide who will take us to Windsor for a tour of this iconic city before boarding a river cruise on the Thames. We will then journey to London where we will check into our hotel. Tonight enjoy our Welcome Dinner.
We start our rail adventures with a scenic journey aboard the heritage Epping Ongar Railway— a step back in time. Then it’s off to charming York for a 4-night stay.
We visit the fascinating York Railway Museum before a guided walking tour of York. In the afternoon we take a short cruise along the city’s historic waterways.
A free day to explore York’s enchanting streets, visit its vibrant cafés, and perhaps even discover its mysterious “snickelways.”
Today we journey by train from Pickering to Goathland, then drive to Whitby, a charming seaside town known for its dramatic cliffs, historic abbey ruins, and connections to Bram Stoker’s Dracula. We will have the opportunity to visit the Whitby Abbey before our journey back to York.
We head to Haverthwaite station for a nostalgic ride to Lakeside, and embark on a lake cruise that puts us in the centre of the Lake District’s natural beauty. We check-in at our 4-star hotel (with spa) for a restful night amidst the tranquility of England’s beloved national park.
Liverpool is a vibrant, creative city known for its rich maritime history, cultural landmarks and iconic music scene. We will visit The Beatles Story to explore the band’s history and legacy, then take a short drive to the medieval walled city of Chester for a guided walking tour. Overnight in Chester.
Today we travel to the west coast into Wales. We stop on route to enjoy a ride on the Llangollen Railway as well as the Great Orme Tramway, Britain’s only funicular that travels on public roads. We end our day at our seaside hotel in Wales for the next 2 nights.
We journey into the Snowdon Mountains to take a train ride to the summit and back before we visit the National Slate Museum. This offers a fascinating insight into the Slate industry in Wales. We end our day with a five mile return train ride, hauled by a vintage steam engine rescued from the nearby Dinorwig slate quarries and lovingly restored.
Today’s adventure takes us for a visit to the Conway Castle, one of the most magnificent medieval fortresses in Europe. We then travel to the Trevor Basin for a narrow-boat ride across the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct. It is the longest aqueduct in Great Britain and the highest canal. Completed in 1805 it is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the filming location for The Immortal Man, Peaky Blinders Movie. We will end our day in Stratford-upon-Avon.
We embrace the charm of Shakespeare’s city with a walking tour and an afternoon tea in this historical little town on the River Avon. There will be free time for your own exploring.
We enjoy the morning on the River Avon with a gin cruise, combining scenic views with the delights of local gin. We then journey to Oxford stopping for a steam train ride on the Warwickshire Railway.
Discover Oxford’s secrets on our 3-hour guided walking tour, which includes a visit to the venerable Bodleian Libraries, followed by a river cruise with wonderful views of the university’s grand colleges from the water. Tonight is our Farewell Dinner at a local restaurant.
We drive to London from Oxford and fly home.
Please note: Excursions that involve a ferry trip are subject to weather conditions. If a sailing is cancelled by the boat/ferry company, a suitable alternative will be provided.
You may cancel your tour up to 60 days prior to departure (120 days prior for tours requiring a visa, cruises or rail journeys) for any reason, and receive a full refund of your deposit / payment (less the $75 administration fee).
Cancellation & trip interruption insurance included!
Included in the cost of your tour is our Cancellation Insurance Policy, which provides coverage in case of emergency injury or illness (including Covid), right up to your date of departure (terms and conditions apply).
Our Manulife Out-of-Country Health Insurance Plan covers expenses related to Trip Interruption in case of emergency injury or illness. For tours within Canada, Senior Discovery Tours will cover such expenses (terms and conditions apply to all policies).
