Dorset Coast & Isle of Wight Steam

DAY 1

Arrive in Bournemouth and transfer to the Best Western Carlton Hotel, superbly situated on the East Cliff. Perhaps head into Bournemouth or take a stroll along the East Cliff before we enjoy our first dinner together this evening.

DAY 2

Our first excursion heads first to Poole, from where we join our boat trip along the Dorset coast. Cruising through beautiful Poole Harbour, we view the start of the Jurassic Coast, a remarkable natural landscape protected as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Passing Old Harry Rocks, we sail into Swanage Bay, disembarking at Swanage’s Victorian pier. During our time in Swanage, we enjoy a return journey on the nostalgic Swanage Railway, which operates along six miles of track from Swanage past the magnificent ruins of Corfe Castle. We return to Poole by boat, then coach to Bournemouth, we enjoy dinner at the hotel.

DAY 3

Today we depart Bournemouth travelling by coach into the delightful New Forest, whose pretty villages and verdant forests are disturbed only by the native ponies or deer. We enjoy a visit to Beaulieu Motor Museum with over 250 vintage motor vehicles, our ticket also provides access to the World of Top Gear, the Victorian splendor of Palace House with its beautiful grounds & gardens, the tranquil ruins of the 12th century Beaulieu Abbey, The Secret Army Exhibition, and unlimited rides on the Monorail & Veteran Bus. In the afternoon we transfer to nearby Exbury Gardens & Steam Railway created by the famous Rothchild family and home to a host of exotic plants benefitting from the unique micro-climate. We enjoy a journey on the narrow-gauge steam railway that meanders through the gardens before returning to our hotel.

DAY 4

Transferring to Lymington, we join the Wightlink ferry to transport us the short distance to Yarmouth on the Isle of Wight. Our coach awaits for a scenic ride along the western side of the island, around the southern tip to Shanklin. We take the Island Line service to Smallbrook Junction. Due to the low ceiling of Ryde Tunnel towards the northern end of the 8-mile stretch of track, normal size trains cannot operate on the island, which led to the Island Line using refurbished London Underground trains. At Smallbrook Junction we switch onto the nostalgic Isle of Wight Steam Railway, crossing the island’s heart through picturesque countryside to Wootton. Returning from Wootton to the railway’s Haven Street station, we transfer by coach to Yarmouth for our ferry and transfer back to Bournemouth.

DAY 5

We bid farewell to Bournemouth and head homewards.

B=Breakfast, D=Dinner