Bristol, Cider & Gorge-ous Cheddar 2025

Duration

5 Days

Departure Dates

14th August 2025

Prices from

£829 Per person

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Explore Bristol's fascinating past and join us as we discover iconic modes of transport from Brunel's SS Great Britain, the ship that changed maritime voyaging, to the world's fastest passenger jet, supersonic Concorde. Enjoy a harbour boat trip and a nostalgic train journey plus a visit to the pre-historic Cheddar Gorge caves tasting the world-famous Cheddar Cheese, a tour and tasting at Thatcher's Cider Farm, and discover the history of the Clifton Suspension Bridge.

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Bristol Cathedral ©Shutterstock

5 days from £829

DEPARTS

Thursday 8 May 2025

Thursday 19 June 2025

Thursday 3 July 2025

Thursday 14 August 2025

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
Journey on the East Somerset Railway (May & July)
Journey on the Avon Valley Railway (June & August)
Visit Cheddar Gorge and step inside the pre-historic caves now used for maturing cheese
Sample the world famous ‘Cheddar Cheese’
Enjoy a tour and tasting at Thatcher’s Cider Farm

Also included in your Tour Fare:

4 nights’ bed, breakfast & evening meal
Rail travel & seat reservations from your Home Station to Tour Base (Standard or First Class)
Services of experienced Railtrail Tour Manager

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

Today we take a private coach to the spectacular Cheddar Gorge. The Gorge boasts awe-inspiring cliffs, and we take time to walk to the extraordinary caves to see the stalagmites and stalactites plus where Cheddar Cheese is matured. Alternatively, you can visit the Museum of Prehistory to discover the story of how our ancestors survived the Ice Age before we visit the "Shop at the Gorge" where you can treat yourself to the superb Cheddar Cheese. On our way back to Bristol we stop at Myrtle Farm, home of Thatcher's Cider, for a guided tour and tasting.

B, D

DAY 3

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. We continue the maritime as we visit the Being Brunel Museum and the SS Great Britain, the ship that changed the way we travel forever, exploring the ship's story and the engineer behind it. This afternoon we make our way to the Avon Valley Railway* where we enjoy a return journey from Bitton along the former Midland Railway branch line.

*In May and July, we will visit the East Somerset Railway.

B, D

DAY 4

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. The rest of the afternoon is free to explore the city or relax at the hotel.

B, D

DAY 5

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

B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner

HOTEL

Leonardo Hotel, Bristol

Based in the city centre of Bristol less than an 8-minute walk to Bristol Temple Meads railway station, the newly built Leonardo Hotel has an inviting bar and restaurant offering a selection of delicious food and drinks plus a fitness centre. The modern bedrooms provide a private bathroom with complimentary toiletries, a hairdryer, flat-screen TV, ironing facilities, free Wi-Fi, and tea/coffee making facilities.

FARES

Fare Region	First*	Standard
London: Paddington	£959	£915
Greater London	£965	£919
South of England	N/A	£899
East Anglia	£1,019	£949
South West	£959	£905
Heart of England	£985	£929
Midlands	£999	£895
Yorkshire	£1,075	£945
North East	£1,139	£979
North West	£1,099	£955
South Wales	£909	£885
North Wales	£1,025	£929
Scotland	£1,209	£1,029
Join & Leave at Hotel	£829
Single Traveller Supplement	£280
Deposit	£85

*Please note: Some local and regional train services are Standard Class only, so First Class ticket holders will travel in standard class accommodation for these sections of journeys.

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:

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Leonardo Hotel, Bristol City

Cheddar Gorge Cheese Company

Cheddar Gorge Caves

Myrtle Farm, Thatcher's Cider

Brunel's SS Great Britain

Aerospace Bristol

Clifton Suspension Bridge

Avon Valley Railway

East Somerset Railway

Bristol Temple Meads ©Shutterstock

Cheddar Gorge ©AdobeStock

Gough's Cave1 ©AdobeStock

Gough's Cave2 ©Shutterstock

SS Great Britain2

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