Lost Village of Imber & Steam

DAY 1

We arrive in Swindon and make our way to the Jury's Inn where after registering we transfer by coach for a private visit for a steam charter at the extensive Coate Water Park Miniature Railway. This 7 ¼" gauge line winds its way around the country park on a ½ mile journey followed by a welcome evening tour and tasting at the renowned real ale Corinium micro-brewery, then we return to Swindon where we are free to dine at leisure.

DAY 2

This morning we travel by coach to the 2' gauge Gartell Railway for a private steam charter on the trackbed of the original Somerset & Dorset line. We reboard our coach and travel further into deepest Somerset to the renowned former S&D station at Midsomer Norton for a steam charter on the Somerset & Dorset Railway. We have the opportunity to ride on and photograph our steam charter and explore the museum at this beautifully restored railway station including a light lunch at the railway. Our coach then returns us to Swindon where the evening is again free to dine at leisure.

DAY 3

We travel by train to Warminster to take the bus route which only runs once a year to the Lost Village of Imber. The residents of the village were moved out of their homes in 1943 to provide a training area for American troops preparing to invade Europe during the Second World War. However, after the war the residents were never allowed to return home and to this day the village is still used for military training. Many London Buses past and present will be running from Warminster to Imber throughout the day, in Imber you'll be able to see the abandoned houses and visit the historic church all of which can only be seen once a year. Light refreshments will be available at Imber and the other villages served by the buses. From Warminster we return to Swindon by train.

DAY 4

Travelling by coach to Toddington initially for a ride on the 2' gauge North Gloucestershire Railway before boarding our standard gauge steam train along the Gloucester & Warwickshire line to Cheltenham Racecourse station where after reversing we travel through to the line's terminus at Broadway. Our coach then takes us to the standard gauge Swindon & Cricklade for a steam hauled 5 miles round trip.

DAY 5

Before commencing our homeward journeys, we visit Swindon's STEAM Museum in the old Great Western Railway Works which has a fine collection of GWR steam locomotives.

B=Breakfast, L=Lunch