Shipshape & Bristol Fashion!

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.

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5 Days From £565

For a limited period only

Beat the 2021 fare increases, by booking next year’s tour now!

DEPARTS

Thursday 20 May 2021

Thursday 02 September 2021

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

Visit the world’s first great luxury liner, Brunel’s SS Great Britain
Explore Bristol’s Floating Harbour by boat
Step aboard supersonic Concorde at Aerospace Bristol
Discover the history of the Clifton Suspension Bridge on a guided tour
Steam along the Avon Valley Railway with a cream tea
Enjoy free time at leisure in the beautiful city of Bath

Also included in your Tour Fare:

Dinner every evening plus a cream tea
Rail travel & seat reservations from your Home Station to Tour Base (Standard or First Class)
Services of experienced Railtrail Tour Manager
Hotel Porterage

DAY 1

We arrive in Bristol where our hotel is conveniently situated a short walk from the railway station. You may wish to take a stroll around Temple Gardens ahead of dinner this evening in the hotel restaurant.

DAY 2

This morning we explore Bristol's waterways as we board our boat tour discovering the fascinating history and contemporary culture of Bristol's Floating Harbour. Following this, we keep the Maritime theme going as we head to the Being Brunel Museum and the SS Great Britain, a museum ship and former passenger steamship designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel. This afternoon is free to explore the city's many attractions including the Bristol Museum & Art Gallery, Bristol Cathedral and The M Shed Museum.

B, D

DAY 3

Today we experience 100 years of British aerospace industry as our coach takes us to Aerospace Bristol. We enjoy a guided tour and talk on the supersonic Concorde, the museum is home to the last of these iconic passenger jets to be built and flown. In the afternoon we transfer to the Grade I listed Clifton Suspension Bridge, spanning the beautiful Avon Gorge. Here we have a guided tour of the bridge and learn about its construction, completion and how it is maintained to this day.

B, D

DAY 4

This morning we make our way to the Avon Valley Railway, here we enjoy a return journey from Bitton along the former Midland Railway branch line. Onboard we sample a cream tea as we take in the sights, sounds and scent of nostalgic steam. Following our relaxing train ride we continue to Bath, we have time at leisure to explore this beautiful and historic city, famed for its Georgian Royal Crescent and Roman Baths. Following our visit we return by train from Bath to Bristol Templemeads.

B, LR, D

DAY 5

We bid farewell to Bristol with its proud Maritime history and make our way home.

B=Breakfast, LR=Light Refreshments, D=Dinner

HOTEL

Hilton Garden Inn, Bristol

Situated next to the historic Temple Gardens in the heart of the city and ideally just a short stroll from Bristol Temple Meads train station. The en-suite bedrooms offer modern facilities including flat screen TV, tea/coffee making facilities and Wi-Fi. The hotel features a stylish bar and restaurant with a pleasant terrace overlooking the gardens.

FARES

Fare Region	First	Standard
London: Paddington	£655	£625
Greater London	£659	£625
South of England	N/A	£615
East Anglia	£715	£659
South West	£655	£615
Heart of England	£675	£635
Midlands	£695	£615
Yorkshire	£755	£655
North East	£805	£679
North West	£725	£639
South Wales	£625	£605
North Wales	£715	£639
Scotland	£859	£719