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A family firm with an ethos of honesty and integrity. Our passion for delivering quality escorted holidays by rail at great value fares along with consistently excellent customer service has stood us in good stead for over 40 years.
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UK, Euro & Worldwide 2024
Award Winning rail holidays in the UK, Europe & Worldwide, departing in 2024
Discover Railtrail's exciting, new, all-rail holiday to Germany. This value-for-money tour travels over some of Germany's most scenic rail routes, taking in a large railway museum, a vintage railcar, steam tram, the lovely lakeside town of Lindau, and the opportunity to explore beautiful Munich.
Duration: 6 Days
One of our most popular Swiss rail holidays featuring five completely unique mountain railroad excursions - the Pilatus Railway, the Rigi Railway, the Stanserhorn, the Titlis cable car, and the Hammetschwand Lift … plus the world's steepest funicular railway, the Stoosbahn! Experience six of the best Swiss rail journeys from our base overlooking stunning Lake Lucerne!
Duration: 8 Days17/08/2024
Experience a delightful Cornish rail holiday as we meander along scenic branch lines, capturing the cream of the coastal and countryside views, to visit charming ports and seaside resorts, an award-winning vineyard, and the world-renowned Eden Project.
Duration: 5 Days
Featuring two of the 'Seven Wonders of the Canals', this active tour based in historic Chester offers exciting heritage from Roman times to the golden industrial age of waterways and railways.
Duration: 5 Days
Explore delightful Dorset by steam train and marvel at the Jurassic Coast from our boat trip along the shoreline. Travel through the picturesque New Forest to Beaulieu with its National Motor Museum depicting the story of motoring in the UK and visit wonderful Exbury Gardens & Steam Railway. Round off your holiday in great style with a day's adventure on the Isle of Wight and a trip on the Isle of Wight Steam Railway.
Duration: 5 Days16/09/2024
From our hotel in the beautiful Forest of Dean we explore the magical region between the Welsh borderland and the River Severn including three heritage steam railways and a boat trip on one of the country's most scenic river landscapes. We also visit some of the areas many charming towns and villages including Broadway 'Jewel of the Cotswolds', picturesque Ross-on-Wye, and the historic market town of Abergavenny.
Duration: 5 Days09/09/2024
Our great value pre-Christmas Scottish tour stays at the Alexandra Hotel in Fort William and is packed with fantastic attractions and stunning scenery. This winter warmer in the western Highlands includes excellent excursions, great rail journeys on the West Highland and Kyle Lines, Half board at the hotel, a bubbly drinks reception on arrival along with Scottish themed singing and dancing entertainment.
Duration: 5 Days
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.
Duration: 5 Days05/08/2024
A wonderful tour of German beers, from Düsseldorf’s Altbier to Cologne’s rival Kölsch plus Bockbier and even smoked ale. Discover a country with colourful regional differences of taste, language, culture, and lifestyle. Prost!
Duration: 9 Days
Experience the character and charm of the Isles of Scilly on our exciting new tour. Journey along the English Riviera, discover Cornwall's cathedral city of Truro, admire the iconic Cornish coastline, and stay in the beautiful Star Castle Hotel. Enjoy commanding views of the archipelago, immerse yourself into island life, and marvel at the natural beauty of these isles plus partake in a vineyard tour and tasting, and sample some of the best seafood caught on the hotel's very own fishing boat.
Duration: 8 Days
A unique Grand Tour by Rail brimming with seaside charm, heritage steam railways, and stunning coastal vistas. Join us as we take a trip down memory lane and journey along the stunning south coast staying in Kent, Dorset, and Devon visiting many of our favourite nostalgic attractions.
Duration: 10 Days
Here is our recreation of Palin's second "Great Railway Journey" from 'Derry to Kerry'! Experience the fabulous line from Coleraine to Londonderry and the scenic East Coast Line from Dublin to Wexford, enjoy the contrasts of Belfast, Dublin, Waterford, and Tralee, and wonder at the natural beauty of the Causeway Coast and the Ring of Kerry, all rounded off with a final shindig in Dublin. Cead Mile Failte!
Duration: 12 Days
Travel coast to coast from Land's End to John O'Groats, including many of Britain's great scenic rail journeys along the way. Explore England, Scotland & Wales on a one off, once in a lifetime, grand rail tour of mainland Britain!
Duration: 12 Days
Rail holiday to explore the six wonders of the waterways Take a unique rail journey with Railtrail's Grand Tours. Explore Six Wonders of the Waterways including Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, Anderton boatlift, Ironbridge Gorge and more!
Duration: 10 Days14/09/2024
Rail holidays by train to France and Spain. Train tour taking you through France and Spain in the Pyrenees Mountain range. Venture on the Red Train, Yellow Train, and Blue Train. Visit Collioure, Mirepoix, and Carcassonne..
Duration: 15 Days14/09/2024
Another unique Grand Tour by Rail, visiting some of our best loved hotels, crossing Wales from coast to coast. From our bases in Carmarthen, Llandrindod, and Llandudno we tick off more steam and heritage railways than you could imagine, plus we bask in the wonderful scenery of the valleys, mountains, and coasts.
Duration: 12 Days
Explore Heritage & History on this new summer tour. Relax in the historic UNESCO World Heritage city of Bath. Experience the medieval ancient cathedral city of Salisbury, cruise along the beautiful Avon, and step back 5,000 years on a visit to mystical Stonehenge.
Duration: 5 Days
Treat yourself to a Railtrail tour offering the ultimate island-hopping experience in the Outer Hebrides and visiting an impressive eight islands. Discover an area of unspoilt natural beauty offering spectacular scenery, impressive mountain ranges, and miles of golden beaches.
Duration: 8 Days
Treat yourself to this Railtrail tour offering the ultimate island-hopping experience in the Outer Hebrides and visiting an impressive eight islands. Discover an area of unspoilt natural beauty offering spectacular scenery, impressive mountain ranges, and miles of golden beaches.
Duration: 8 Days
The Highlands of Scotland are a joy to behold and our adventure filled short break combines the glorious West Highland rail route with the fabulous "Harry Potter" Jacobite Steam Train, steaming over Glenfinnan Viaduct to Mallaig, plus a relaxing Loch Linnhe cruise, a scenic mountain gondola, and a ‘wee dram’ at the Ben Nevis Distillery!
Duration: 4 Days
The Highlands of Scotland are arguably at their most glorious during the golden weeks of Autumn. This superb rail holiday offers a wealth of spectacular autumnal scenery out of your window, including two of the world's greatest railway journeys - the Kyle Line and the West Highland Line with the fabulous Jacobite Steam Train.
Duration: 5 Days15/10/2024
Enjoy a summer circular tour of the spectacular ‘Great Railway Journey of the Scottish Highlands’. You may have seen them on TV and now you too can experience some of the most stunningly beautiful scenery in the UK. This superb summer rail holiday offers a wealth of wonderful landscapes from the comfort of your seat and includes two of the world’s greatest railway journeys - the Kyle Line and the West Highland Line with the fabulous Jacobite Steam Train.
Duration: 5 Days
This great value short break is a wonderful introduction to ‘Bonnie Scotland’. Roam the glorious Highlands and discover one of the "Great Railway Journeys of the World". Relax as magnificent vistas glide past your window and the sensational views unfold. Enjoy free time to explore Inverness, the Capital of the Highlands, and discover all the fascinating attractions this ancient city has to offer.
Duration: 4 Days
A relaxing New Year short break in the beautiful Victorian spa town of Harrogate. Our tour includes an afternoon tea, New Year's Eve gala dinner with entertainment and a steam journey on the Embsay and Bolton Railway as well as a trip to the historic city of York.
Duration: 4 Days
Enjoy a relaxing Christmas in beautiful Harrogate. This Christmas you can unwind and let someone else do the cooking. Our tour includes a traditional Christmas Day lunch with all the trimmings, a light Boxing Day lunch, and entertainment on 3 nights plus a visit to historic York on Christmas Eve and a Boxing Day steam journey on the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway.
Duration: 5 Days
Introducing four great preserved steam railways and a scenic mainline on one great rail holiday based in the Heart of Wales spa town of Llandrindod Wells. View coastlines, valleys, reservoirs, and mountains from your window on the Vale of Rheidol Railway, the Heart of Wales Line, the Brecon Mountain Railway and, last but not least, the Talyllyn, the world’s first ever preserved railway.
Duration: 5 Days
A great Railtrail holiday to discover picturesque medieval towns and villages surrounded by a panoramic range of stunning mountains, romantic valleys, and fairytale woods - full of folklore, fascinating history, and superb steam trains.
Duration: 7 Days
The fantastic Isle of Man at its very best! A wonderful sea-front hotel on a traditional promenade, horse drawn trams, steam railways, heritage electric trams, a mountain railway, and superb scenery.
Duration: 5 Days26/09/2024
A unique and comprehensive tour of the Channel Islands, from Jersey's beautiful bays and traditional towns to Guernsey's lovely beaches, not forgetting Herm and Sark, where there are no cars. Explore, relax, and unwind in the mild climates of the charming Channel Islands.
Duration: 9 Days
Explore dramatic landscapes, enjoy spectacular rail journeys over peaks and along stunning coastlines, and experience great history and nostalgic charm on this wonderful Lakes & Mountains rail tour.
Duration: 6 Days21/09/2024
shutterstock.jpeg "Soller Tram Mallorca")
Railtrail's exciting new tour on the magnificent Island of Majorca. Visit the famous cathedral in Palma and discover many wonderful restaurants, historic streets, and stunning sunsets along the beautiful promenade. Travel back in time on the wooden train to Sóller passing through spectacular landscapes before enjoying the historic tram to the Port of Sóller. Be enchanted by the rural village of Pollença, visit the historic towns of Manacor and Inca, and delve into authentic Majorca at Sa Pobla.
Duration: 6 Days
North Norfolk offers a wealth of nostalgia. From unspoilt beaches to timeless villages, proudly preserved steam railways to majestic broads. Enjoy a great rail holiday that offers the best of the areas stunning coast, broads and steam..
Duration: 5 Days
A leisurely Lake District tour staying on the Cumbrian Coast in a picturesque setting overlooking Morecambe Bay. Nostalgic steam railway journeys through spectacular scenery, a relaxing cruise on Windermere, a visit to the Lakeland Motor Museum, and afternoon tea at stately Leighton Hall.
Duration: 5 Days
Discover the peace, tranquility, and rich heritage of the beautiful islands of Orkney & Shetland on our mini cruise to the northernmost reaches of the UK, part of a wider grand tour visiting John O’Groats, historic Stirling, and Edinburgh, Scotland’s proud capital.
Duration: 7 Days
Based in picture-postcard Pitlochry, in the beautiful Perthshire Highlands our rail holiday includes a variety of wonderful attractions combined with outstanding Scottish scenery, painted in glorious colours. The tour includes visits to The Enchanted Forest, a royal retreat, an iconic expedition ship, and Britain's first military airfield. Enjoy a wee dram at one of Scotland's oldest distilleries plus steam on the Strathspey Railway, this nostalgic tour has something for everyone!
Duration: 5 Days
A truly magical circular tour of the Highlands of Scotland in 2024, also taking in the magnificent Isles of Mull and Iona, along with spectacular rail journeys, sensational scenery, and steam train nostalgia.
Duration: 8 Days30/08/2024
A truly magical circular tour of the Highlands of Scotland, also taking in the magnificent Isles of Mull and Iona, along with spectacular rail journeys, sensational scenery, and steam train nostalgia. With time in Edinburgh at the start of your tour.
Duration: 9 Days
Discover our new festive tour based in Reading. Visit Highclere Castle, more popularly known as ITV's 'Downton Abbey', during its magnificent Christmas display and complete your Christmas shopping at their annual Christmas Fair. Sail down the River Thames on a leisurely cruise, enjoy a tour of Windsor Castle in its spectacular winter glory, and experience Oxford with a guided walk and a tour of Oxford Castle with free time in Oxford, Windsor, and Newbury to explore and create festive memories.
Duration: 5 Days
This tour celebrates the diversity of the east coast of Scotland from royal life at stunning castle retreats to iconic waterfronts, from wildlife cruises to heritage transport, this nostalgic tour has something for everyone and is perfectly combined with a couple of wee drams!
Duration: 8 Days
A delightful Railtrail tour inspired by the original BBC "Great Railway Journeys of the World" TV series which saw Sir Michael Palin travelling through the spectacular Scottish Highlands to the Kyle of Lochalsh. Our popular Romantic Highlander tour is based at one of Railtrail's best loved hotels and includes the fabulous Jacobite Steam Train.
Duration: 5 Days24/09/2024
Introducing Railtrail's newest tour in scenic Derbyshire. Using our "on the ground" knowledge, enjoy this five-day, small group, gentle walking tour through the industrial past of the beautiful and historic Peak District of Derbyshire. Old incline planes, canals, historic mills, steam trains, and a narrow-gauge railway await on this exciting tour.
Duration: 5 Days
Explore Bristol's fascinating industrial and maritime past on a great Railtrail tour. Join us as we discover iconic modes of transport that have influenced global passenger travel over hundreds of years from Brunel's SS Great Britain, the ship that changed maritime voyaging, to the world's fastest passenger jet, supersonic Concorde. During our transport themed tour, we also enjoy a fascinating harbour boat trip and nostalgic steam train journey on the Avon Valley Railway.
Duration: 5 Days05/09/2024
The mighty River Tyne is bordered by the unspoilt beauty, history, and heritage of Northumberland & Durham. This attraction packed short break time-travels from the Romans of Hadrian’s Wall and Vindolanda, through historic Anglo-Saxon Bamburgh, to the Victorian ‘living history’ of Beamish plus a boat trip to view the stunning wildlife of the Farne Islands.
Duration: 5 Days
Discover four delightful and diverse Scottish cities on our all-rail holiday to Stirling, Perth, Edinburgh, and Glasgow. The tour visits fascinating attractions in each city including the Riverside Transport Museum, Stirling Castle, Black Watch Museum and Royal Yacht Britannia.
Duration: 5 Days
Build up a head of steam, uncovering Scotland’s heritage from a different angle. Enjoy the Bo’ness & Kinneil Steam Railway, soar above the canals by boat on the remarkable Falkirk Wheel, cruise Loch Katrine, and steam through the Highlands on the Strathspey Railway. This great railway holiday also features The Kelpies, a distillery tour, and a brewery visit.
Duration: 5 Days
Enjoy Christmas with a difference amidst the lakes and mountains of Switzerland. Marvel at the stunning winter scenes offered by the Goldenpass Line, the route of the Glacier Express and the Rigi Mountain Railway. Soar up Mount Titlis and relax on Lake Lucerne's shore at the 4 star Seehotel Pilatus, whose leisure facilities open out onto a fantastic panorama of lake and mountain scenery.
Duration: 8 Days
A wonderful tour that combines Scotland's Far North and the beauty of the Shetland and Orkney Isles. From the dramatic rugged coastlines and fascinating wildlife to the ancient history and unique blend of Scottish and Scandinavian culture.
Duration: 6 Days
The West Highland Line, the Kyle Line & the Cairngorms Line - experience a truly magical pre-Christmas circular rail tour of the Scottish Highlands in all their wintry glory, followed by a relaxing and homely Christmas in Stirling with all the trimmings and an excursion to the Royal Yacht Britannia and Edinburgh.
Duration: 8 Days
A beautiful rail holiday along one of Britain's most iconic routes to the English Riviera, with opportunity to explore the beauty and charm of Devon's magnificent coastline by boat as well as travelling on two of Devon's finest steam railways.
Duration: 5 Days
Experience the trip of a lifetime for any dedicated steam enthusiasts! Our escorted rail holiday to Australia boasts at least nine steam train rides including exclusive charters, outback towns, the scenic Blue Mountains, a vintage wooden paddle steamer cruise, and some amazing railway museums. Enjoy comfortable day time rail journeys between Sydney, Melbourne, and Adelaide with free time in these amazing cities to explore and create unforgettable memories.
Duration: 20 Days
Experience the trip of a lifetime for any dedicated steam enthusiasts! Our escorted rail holiday to Australia boasts at least nine steam train rides including exclusive charters, outback towns, the scenic Blue Mountains, a vintage wooden paddle steamer cruise, and some amazing railway museums. Enjoy comfortable day time rail journeys between Sydney, Melbourne, and Adelaide with free time in these amazing cities to explore and create unforgettable memories.
Duration: 18 Days
Experience a fantastic major steam festival featuring big engines, demonstration freight trains, and traction engines plus a steam powered sawmill, model railways, and lots more on this exciting and action-packed tour. We also visit three other steam railways in the Netherlands, enjoy a vintage boat cruise, and explore a superb outdoor recreated village museum in this short break, value for money tour.
Duration: 5 Days
Join us on this truly amazing, new tour to the USA featuring 7 steam lines including marvellous double headed shay locomotives and a phenomenal 2-6-6-2 Mallet in operation. On this action-packed adventure we will also experience two scenic diesel excursions, an Amtrak ride into New York with free time in the infamous "Big Apple", and two fascinating railroad museums. This is the journey of a lifetime to create lasting memories!
Duration: 13 Days Join us on this truly amazing, new tour to the USA featuring 7 steam lines including marvellous double headed shay locomotives and a phenomenal 2-6-6-2 Mallet in operation. On this action-packed adventure we will also experience two scenic diesel excursions, an Amtrak ride into New York with free time in the infamous "Big Apple", and two fascinating railroad museums. This is the journey of a lifetime to create lasting memories!
Duration: 12 Days
Railtrail's new and exciting tour introduces four engines in steam plus three further steam lines and lake steamers wrapped in one great rail holiday. Perfect for any dedicated steam enthusiasts enjoying a major steam festival in scenic Switzerland staying in a superb hotel in Vevey on the beautiful shores of Lake Geneva.
Duration: 8 Days
Experience Railtrail's newest steam tour to fantastic Newcastle. Explore the home of five steam railways, some in their historic original industrial setting plus enjoy a scenic ride along the beautiful coast for another spectacular steam rail journey. Enjoy free time in the delightful and diverse Scottish city of Edinburgh to explore and create amazing memories.
Duration: 6 Days
Experience our exciting tour full of steam action and variety in Northern Germany. Featuring the amazing Flensburg Steamboat Festival, two rarely visited steam railways including an exclusive charter, special arrangements on the "Molli" steam line with a unique photo session at the depot plus vintage trams, a steamboat cruise, and a visit to the world's largest model railway. This is not a tour to be missed!
Duration: 9 Days
We thought we would celebrate the steam and rail heritage of the north country with our own 'battle of the roses' tour, including Yorkshire and Lancashire steam and heritage railways every day from our base at an iconic railway hotel. With Railtrail escorting this great railway holiday you are sure to come up smelling of roses!
Duration: 8 Days
Two of the world’s greatest railway journeys in one tour! Enjoy the classic Glacier Express journey across the Swiss Alps followed by the Bernina Express in its full glory. Not forgetting Lausanne, Montreux, and St Moritz plus stays on Lake Geneva and in the Engadin Valley. We have also enhanced the tour by adding an outbound overnight in the beautiful city of Basel for a more leisurely travel experience.
Duration: 9 Days18/09/2024
See stunning Switzerland in style on our great steam powered railway holiday, based on the lakeshore of lovely Lake Lucerne. Cruise across three Swiss lakes the nostalgic way by paddle-steamer and experience three exhilarating steam train excursions in the Swiss mountains plus take a trip on the world’s steepest cogwheel railway!
Duration: 8 Days21/09/2024
Experience Railtrail's newest tour to Switzerland. Discover spectacular routes such as the Gotthard, Lötschberg, and Albula Passes on the comfortable and remarkably efficient Swiss trains. Marvel at the scenery on the classic Glacier Express and the Rigi Mountain Railway, uncover the rarely visited "backwater" routes in the east of the country, and enjoy a relaxing lake cruise on this fantastic tour.
Duration: 8 Days
Switzerland and steam trains - a delightful combination as Railtrail Tours take you to the heart of this beautiful country to experience some amazing mountain rail journeys and glorious lake steamer cruises. Plus, for 2024, we have enhanced the tour by adding an outbound overnight in the beautiful city of Basel for a more leisurely travel experience.
Duration: 9 Days23/09/2024
An exciting new tour showcasing the very best the Isle of Man has to offer! Stay at a luxurious hotel set beside a stunning lake and overlooking the sea to Cumbria. Enjoy horse drawn trams, steam railways, heritage electric trams, a mountain railway, exciting history, and superb scenery.
Duration: 8 Days05/09/2024
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Escape from it all as you island hop from Arran to Skye on this magical Railtrail tour of the West Coast islands. Every day is different as each sublime, rugged, and breathtaking landscape unfolds before you. This superb rail holiday takes you from the stunning architecture of Glasgow through magical landscapes, across to the beautiful Isle of Arran. Journey on the famous West Highland Line and cross to the stunning Isle of Skye to discover ancient and fascinating history.
Duration: 8 Days
Steaming through Snowdonia on the new 'wonder of the world' - the Welsh Highland line is just one of many great rail journeys taking you from glorious sea at Llandudno to the peak of Mount Snowdon.
Duration: 6 Days09/09/2024
South Wales is a beautiful part of the UK awaiting exploration. With our great value tour, based in the heart of the Welsh capital, visitors can experience every unique feature it has to offer from rides on the Brecon Mountain Railway and Forest of Dean Railways, to sightseeing at the Royal Mint and Rhondda Heritage Park, or even a visit to an award-winning Welsh distillery.
Duration: 5 Days27/08/2024
Discover the delights of England's most diverse county with our Yorkshire Gold tour staying in superb hotels in the spa town of Harrogate and coastal resort of Scarborough. Enjoy steam nostalgia in the magnificent Dales, explore historic houses & gardens, stroll York's medieval streets, sail the Leeds & Liverpool canal, and steam across brooding moors to charming Whitby.
Duration: 8 Days
Our Harrogate winter break visits Castle Howard to see the wonderful festive decorations and iconic 25-foot Christmas tree in the Great Hall adorned with over 3,000 baubles. We explore York's famous St Nicholas Fayre with over one-hundred traditional stalls scattered throughout the atmospheric streets. We enjoy festive afternoon tea as we steam through the Dales on the Embsay & Bolton Abbey Railway and visit the RHS Harlow Carr Gardens as dusk falls to view the beautifully illuminated trees.
Duration: 4 DaysUK, Euro & Worldwide 2024
Award Winning rail holidays in the UK, Europe & Worldwide, departing in 2024
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21 The Smithfield Centre, Leek
Staffordshire Moorlands, ST13 5JW
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