Bygone Times of Bletchley & Beyond 2026

Duration

5 Days

Departure Dates

2nd June 2026, 13th October 2026

Prices from

£790 Per person

Journey through history and explore aviation legacy on this fascinating tour to Bedford. Visit extraordinary wartime headquarters, uncover the secrets of Bletchley Park, discover the tactics and techniques of military intelligence, and explore the largest collection of historic aircraft in Europe on this captivating journey back in time.

Overview
Itinerary
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Departure Dates
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Bedford ©AdobeStock

5 days from £790

DEPARTS

Tuesday 2 June 2026

Tuesday 13 October 2026

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

Discover the fascinating Military Intelligence Museum
Journey through the development of aviation design at the Shuttleworth Collection
Uncover the extraordinary secrets of Bletchley Park on a guided tour
Learn of the complex methods and machines used by Codebreakers
Tour the remarkable Imperial War Museum Duxford
Explore the largest collection of historic aircraft in Europe

Also included in your Tour Fare:

4 nights’ bed, breakfast & evening meal
Services of experienced Railtrail Tour Manager

DAY 1

Journey from your home station to Bedford and, on arrival, we will make our way to the Bedford Centre Hotel, our hotel for the next four nights. We enjoy free time to explore our new surroundings before meeting for our first evening meal together.

DAY 2

After breakfast this morning, we travel by coach to the Military Intelligence Museum* where we learn the story of British military intelligence and discover the tactics, techniques, and equipment used on our guided tour led by a veteran. Afterwards, we continue to Shuttleworth, the location of the private collection of Richard Shuttleworth who rescued and restored old aircraft and vehicles. After lunch, we can explore the six hangars showing the development of aviation design and wander through the delightful Swiss Garden before returning to Bedford in time for our evening meal.

*Photographic ID is required for entry to the Military Intelligence Museum as this is an MOD controlled site.

B, D

DAY 3

Today, we travel to the extraordinary Bletchley Park, home of Britain's World War II Codebreakers. We explore this once top-secret operation enjoying immersive films, interactive displays, museum collections, and faithfully recreated WWII rooms including codebreaking huts where Enigma messages we decrypted, translated, and analysed. We learn of the brilliant minds, intricate methods, and complex machines that helped to win the war.

B, D

DAY 4

After breakfast today, our private coach takes us to the Imperial War Museum Duxford where we enjoy a guided tour of this remarkable airfield learning of the history of Duxford, exploring the collection of aircraft and military vehicles, and seeing iconic aircraft take to the skies. On return, if time allows, we make a leisurely stop in Cambridge before continuing back to our hotel for our final evening meal together.

B, D

DAY 5

After breakfast, we bid farewell to Bedford and make our way to the station for our homeward journeys.

B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner

HOTEL

Bedford Centre Hotel, Bedford

Ideally situated in the heart of the market town of Bedford, the Bedford Centre Hotel is within walking distance of the railway station and provides panoramic views over the River Great Ouse at the Riverside Restaurant & Bar. The newly refurbished bedrooms offer a private bathroom with a rainfall shower, a hairdryer, flat-screen TV, free Wi-Fi, and tea/coffee making facilities.

FARES

Fare Region	First*	Standard
London: St Pancras	£839	£825
Greater London	£855	£835
South of England	£919	£865
East Anglia	£929	£879
South West	£1,049	£959
Heart of England	£945	£875
Midlands	£1,015	£899
Yorkshire	£1,079	£945
North East	£1,115	£965
North West	£1,035	£899
South Wales	£1,029	£945
North Wales	£935	£885
Scotland	£1,175	£999
Join & Leave at Hotel	£795
Single Traveller Supplement	£180
Deposit	£80

*Please Note: Some local and regional train services are Standard Class seating only and First Class ticket holders will travel in standard class accommodation for these sections of their journey.

£5 tour discount for holders of National Railcards

June Departure Supplement £30

4 nights’ bed, breakfast & evening meal

Rail travel & seat reservations from your Home Station to Tour Base (Standard or First Class)

Rail & coach travel, with transfers as described

All excursions & admissions as detailed

Services of experienced Railtrail Tour Manager

Important – Please select the number of passengers before proceeding to ‘Book Now’

Number of passengers:

Date	From Price	Book Now	Callback
2nd June 2026	£820 Per person	Book Now	Callback
13th October 2026	£790 Per person	Book Now	Callback

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Bedford Centre Hotel, Bedford

Military Intelligence Museum

Shuttleworth

Bletchley Park

Imperial War Museum, Duxford

River Great Ouse ©Shutterstock

Shuttleworth Collection1 ©AdobeStock

Shuttleworth Collection2 ©AdobeStock

Imperial War Museum Duxford1 ©AdobeStock

Imperial War Museum Duxford2 ©Shutterstock

Imperial War Museum Duxford3 ©AdobeStock

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Bygone Times of Bletchley & Beyond 2026

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What our customers say

Sounds like the holiday for you?

Why Book with Railtrail

Unique Experiences

Financial Protection

Loyalty Rewards

Award Winning Team