Icons Of England & Wales - Trains, Boats And Planes AND THE DUXFORD AIRSHOW - WITH JEFF WATSON AND ALAN COLTMAN 4 - 21 SEPTEMBER 2O15
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Icons Of England & Wales
Trains, Boats And Planes
AND THE DUXFORD AIRSHOW
WITH JEFF WATSON AND ALAN COLTMAN
4 - 21 SEPTEMBER 2O15
North Yorkshire Moors Railway
Duxford Airshow Portsmouth Harbour
LONDON, PORTSMOUTH, BATH, BRISTOL, NORTH WALES,
LIVERPOOL, YORK, LEICESTER, CAMBRIDGE
Featuring
• Heritage railways of the Isle of Wight, North Wales, North Yorkshire and the Great
Central Railway
• The National Maritime Museum, The National Railway Museum and The Imperial War
Museum Duxford
• Portsmouth’s harbour, Liverpool’s dockyards, Wales’ castles
• Minsters and great houses in Yorkshire, terraces in Bath and Abbeys in Whitby
• Ferry cross the Mersey, locks at Foxton and Packet boat in Bristol Whitby
• Stonehenge, Osborne and The Beatles Museum
• Fleet Air Arm Museum at Yeovil, RAF Museum at Hendon and Yorkshire Air Museum York
• A full day pass and personalised tour at the the world renowned Duxford Air Show
Caernafon
Liverpool
AT A GLANCE Leicester
Cambridge
Britain’s empire was built on its naval strength, consolidated by the Industrial Revolution Bristol London
and the Golden Age of Railways. However, the story of the RAF’s victory in the air and Stonehenge
the subsequent aviation revolution that saw Concord take to the skies, gives inspiration
to this tour celebrating the three great modes of transport that make the UK what it is Yeovil
today. We’ll travel on first-class trains and luxury coaches, and stay in quality 3- and 4-star Portsmouth
accommodation on our adventure that also incorporates great scenery, architecture and a Isle of Wight
vast, eclectic mix of England’s cultural icons.
YOUR TOUR LEADERS
JEFF WATSON
Jeff works as a freelance journalist, film maker and writer; his area of expertise is aviation, with a special interest in the extraordinary people within
that world. He is a familiar face from more than 40 years of work in the media and is well known for presenting Beyond 2000, Getaway, 60 Minutes
and Four Corners, just to name a few. His many documentaries include Spitfire Over Australia, Curtiss Kittyhawk, The Ansett Story, Qantas: 50 years
of QF1 and the doco-drama The Last Plane Out Of Berlin. Jeff’s books include Heads I Win, The Best of Travellers’ Tales and a biography of Clive
Caldwell, Killer Caldwell: Australia’s Greatest Fighter Pilot. He has been a trustee of the Powerhouse Museum and an Australia Day Ambassador. He
is a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society, an honorary member of the Spitfire Association of the RAAF, and patron of the Australian Air League.
ALAN COLTMAN
Alan is a retired English police officer, having served for 30 years. His career equipped him with the ability to deal with all of life’s problems and to
communicate well with people. Alan has had an interest in railways since he was a young child having grown up living next to the Great Central
Railway (GCR) in Leicestershire until its closure in 1969, when he joined the GCR preservation society. Over the years he has travelled extensively
around the UK and most of Western Europe, becoming a tour leader after retiring from the police. Alan has been a tour leader for over 10 years having
led scores of railway-themed tours around the world specializing in the UK, Germany and Switzerland.
Jeff Watson Alan Coltman
TV presenter and aviation expert Profesional tour manager and rail expert
Day 1 • Friday 4 SEPTEMBER: Arrive London
Make your way to our hotel in North London, a beautiful restored mansion with leafy terraced gardens and easy access to central London. In the
evening meet with our tour leaders, Jeff and Alan, and our fellow travellers for drinks, a briefing, and a grand welcome dinner in the hotel’s acclaimed
restaurant.
Overnight: Hendon Hall Hotel, London (D)
Day 2 • Saturday 5 SEPTEMBER: London – Greenwich – London
The Docklands Light Railway whips us down along the Thames to Greenwich where we will be given a combination ticket allowing us access to the
major attractions, museums and galleries of the National Maritime Museum and Royal Observatory. The return trip takes us to visit the great clipper
ship the Cutty Sark and the historic tunnel under the Thames: the first tunnel to be built under a river and completed in 1843 by Sir Marc Isambard
Brunel. Here we meet our guide for our London Walks tour—the curator of the Brunel Museum. We continue by ferry along the Thames to enjoy an
early dinner at an inner-city pub. There is also an optional evening ghost tour hosted by London Walks once again.
Overnight: Hendon Hall Hotel, London (B, D)
Day 3 • Sunday 6 SEPTEMBER: Hendon – London
Today we make the most of our North London location with a short transfer for a full-day excursion to the extraordinary collection at RAF Hendon
Aircraft Museum. You can retire back to the hotel in the afternoon or also take the option to head into London for an afternoon visit to the Imperial
War Museum. It has been recently refurbished for the WWI centenary; free admission and your travel card will cover the tube ride.
Overnight: Hendon Hall Hotel, London (B)
Day 4 • Monday 7 SEPTEMBER: London – Portsmouth
Today our luggage will go separately while we travel lightly on the fast express service down the old London and South Western Railway from
Waterloo to Portsmouth, now operated by Southwest Trains. A catamaran ferry meets the train to take us across to the Isle of Wight, connecting
with the island’s local electric train (vintage London Underground rolling stock) for the short run across the island to the terminus station of the Isle
of Wight Steam Railway at Smallbrook Junction. This authentic heritage railway takes us by steam on the idyllic little line to the railway’s depot at
Havenstreet Station. Lunch is on your own at the railway’s well-stocked café.
Continue to the end of the island’s electric railway and then be transported, by private coach, to the chalk cliffs of the southern coast and back via
the Needles Old Battery Museum, Osborne House and the towns of Newport and Ryde. The ferry brings us back to Portsmouth where you are free
to wander back to our centrally located hotel. Dinner this evening is at an old English pub on the harbourside.
Overnight: Royal Maritime Club, Portsmouth (B, D)
Day 5 • Tuesday 8 September: Portsmouth
Today you are free to explore the many icons of Portsmouth with an all museums pass including Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, Nelson’s famous
flagship HMS Victory, Henry VIII’s Mary Rose, HMS Warrior built in 1860, and the Navy Museum. A morning tour of the site is included and then you
are free to explore the amazing collection of iconic ships, memorabilia and museum exhibits.
Overnight: Royal Maritime Club, Portsmouth (B)
Day 6 • Wednesday 9 September: Portsmouth – Bath
Our private coach departs from the hotel to take us to Bath via Stonehenge. The main stones date from about 2500 BC and the new museum and
gallery are a wonderful introduction to this iconic place. We make a stop at the charming village of Devizes for lunch on your own and a wander
Stonehenge
around. This lovely small town is full of interesting shops and a museum of the treasures that have been found in the area. We arrive in the afternoon and check into our centrally located hotel and, after some downtime, we regroup for an early evening walking tour of Bath with your tour leaders which finishes with a dinner in the heart of the city. Overnight: MGallery Francis Hotel, Bath (B, D) Day 7 • Thursday 10 September: Bath This morning we take a short trip south to visit the vast Fleet Air Arm Museum at Yeovilton in Somerset. This museum houses six vast halls, and features such icons as the Avenger, the Phantom, the first Concorde and thousands of other impressive exhibits. The afternoon is free to enjoy the many sites of Bath or take the option of a fast train trip to Swindon to visit the Museum of the Great Western Railway. Overnight: MGallery Francis Hotel, Bath (B,) Day 8 • Friday 11 September: Bath – Bristol - Llandrindod Wells Take the train for a trip up the old Great Western Railway to Bristol. We are met by a local guide who will reveal many interesting stories. Our tour includes the city docks, Brunel’s magnificent SS Great Britain, his suspension bridge over the Avon Gorge and Temple Meads Station—all part of the majesty of this great city. Take a Packet boat trip, part of the city’s maritime heritage and enjoy a light local lunch in the city centre before we continue by coach into Wales including a stop at the legendary Cardiff Castle, home to many great historical characters and events. We then continue onto the quaint town of Llandrindod Wells in Central Wales. Overnight: The Metropole Hotel, Llandrindod Wells (B, L, D) Day 9 • Saturday 12 September: Llandrindod Wells – Llandudno This morning we continue the scenic coach journey onto the North Wales seaside town of Llandudno, stopping at the World Heritage listed Conwy Castle for lunch and a guided tour of this 13th century site. Here you can also marvel at Thomas Telford’s suspension bridge from 1826 and Stevenson’s 1849 box or tubular railway bridge. Arrive in Llandudno later in the afternoon with an option to enjoy an excursion on the 100-year-old cable funicular Great Orme Tramway that travels up to the 270-metre-high summit of the Great Orme, Britain’s highest headland. This evening we enjoy a local dinner. Overnight: The Imperial Hotel, Llandudno (B, D) Day 10 • Sunday 13 September: North Wales Railways Today we will embark on a series of train journeys on the railways of North Wales including the Welsh Highland Railway, with its unique narrow gauge Garrett, and the famous Ffestiniog Railway. On the way to meet the railway, we view medieval Caernarfon Castle, famous for the investiture of the Prince of Wales and its Eagle Tower, then we catch a morning train on the Welsh Highland Railway to Porthmadog. The Ffestiniog Railway is the world’s oldest narrow gauge railway and the oldest railway company still operating trains. The journey climbs over 213 metres (700 feet) from sea level into the mountains, through tranquil pastures and magnificent forests, past lakes and waterfalls, round tight bends (even a complete spiral), clinging to the side of the mountain or tunneling through it. Time is allocated for lunch and exploration of the displays and exhibits. The next leg takes us to Blaenau Ffestiniog and a visit to Portmeirion before returning to the hotel in the late afternoon. Overnight: The Imperial Hotel, Llandudno (B, D) Liverpool on the Mersey
Day 11 • Monday 14 September: North Wales – Liverpool
Board the train for a trip to the Merseyside and the port city of Liverpool. Our local guide is standing by to meet us and lead us on a tour of the city
when we pull in. Liverpool’s status as a port city has contributed to its diverse population; Europe’s oldest Chinese population and Black African
community being just a couple of the diverse communities in the city. Along the way we explore the spectacular Cathedral, one of Europe’s largest
and delve into the story of the Mersey Beat on a guided tour on the famous Mersey Ferry before retiring to the hotel for dinner.
Overnight: Thistle Atlantic Tower Hotel, Liverpool (B, L, D)
Day 12 • Tuesday 15 September: Liverpool – York
Our morning train journey celebrates the route of the world’s first true passenger railway opened on the 15 September 1830, almost exactly 185
years ago, taking us from Liverpool to Manchester and onto York. Marvel at the grand curved station in York, a masterpiece of Victorian Industrial
Age engineering, before transferring to the coach for a late morning guided tour of the old walled city of York. We visit the Minster and the old town
and then settle in for a late lunch at Betty’s Café and Tea Rooms. Lose yourself in the famous and vast National Railway Museum or the revealing
Viking Museum as options for the afternoon.
Overnight: Best Western Monkbar Hotel, York (B, L)
Day 13 • Wednesday 16 September: York – Whitby – York
Our adventure today is on one of the UK’s most extensive and authentic heritage railways, the North Yorkshire Moors Railway, to the charming
seaside town of Whitby. Our coach takes us to Pickering to board the train and, once in Whitby, on about an hour’s gentle journey across the moors
drawn behind one of their fine steam locos. We visit the rambling ruins of the old abbey perched high on the hill overlooking the town. Enjoy a hearty
lunch of fish and chips, of course, in the heart of the wonderful maritime town, and then enjoy the return trip by train in the afternoon. The evening
is free to enjoy the many sites of York at night.
Overnight: Best Western Monkbar Hotel, York (B, L)
Day 14 • Thursday 17 September: York and surrounds
Sample the good life with a visit to Castle Howard, a grand country home built in the very early eighteenth century and location for Brideshead
Revisited, set within 1,000 acres of breathtaking landscape. We then take in the WWII icons at the Yorkshire Air Museum at Elvington with time for
lunch on your own at a fine old North English pub on the way back. The afternoon is yours at leisure to continue exploring York, the grand old city
of the North.
Overnight: Best Western Monkbar Hotel, York (B)
Day 15 • Friday 18 September: York – Leicestershire – Huntingdon
After breakfast at the hotel, we travel directly from York to Leicestershire by coach to visit two sites; first, the Great Central Railway, the UK’s only
double-track, main-line, heritage railway. We enjoy a run on the award-winning railway and take time to explore Loughborough Central Station with
its island platform, museum, emporium and buffet. We then continue to visit the famous and historic canal system at Foxton. The narrow canal locks
are one of the finest examples of Industrial Age canal building in Europe and include a long canal Staircase and the famous Inclined Plane Boat
Lift. The associated museum is housed in the former boiler house for the incline plane and covers the full story of this remarkable site. We arrive at
Huntingdon in the late afternoon and settle into the hotel where dinner is served later in the evening.
Overnight: Huntingdon Marriott Hotel, Huntingdon (B, D)
Warbird flypast at the Duxford Airshow
Day 16 • Saturday 19 September: Duxford Air Show Immerse yourself for the full day at the Duxford Airshow, one of the world’s biggest, featuring displays, shows, exhibits, and celebrations of everything from a Sopwith Camel to supersonic fighters. The Imperial War Museum at Duxford is Britain’s best preserved WWII airfield. Historic buildings sit alongside the striking contemporary exhibition halls AirSpace and the American Air Museum. With Jeff, our tour leader and aviation expert, on hand to help interpret the amazing gathering of aircraft, exhibits and associated activities, we are assured of a most stimulating, fascinating and very full day. Overnight: Huntingdon Marriott Hotel, Huntingdon (B) Day 17 • Sunday 20 September: Cambridge A guided tour of Cambridge begins this morning, visiting the museums at the university including the Polar Museum and the Whipple Museum of the History of Science. You may even want to take to the water and punt on the Cam. The afternoon is yours to enjoy the ambience of the town and do some last-minute shopping before catching our coach back to the hotel. In the evening, join Jeff, Alan and our fellow travellers for a lavish farewell dinner. Overnight: Huntingdon Marriott Hotel, Huntingdon (B, D) Day 18 • Monday 21 September: Final farewell Our epic adventure concludes after breakfast in the hotel. INCLUSIONS • 17 nights accommodation in centrally located hotels with daily breakfast • First class rail travel (where available) • Meals as per itinerary (B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner) • Comprehensive sightseeing with expert local guides and two experienced and knowledgeable hosts • Excursions/entrances fees except those listed in the itinerary as optional • 8 rail excursions, 4 boat trips, and comfortable luxury coach transport throughout EXCLUSIONS • International flights • Airport transfers on arrival and departure • Excursions/entrances listed as optional in the itinerary • Drinks with meals (except for welcome and farewell dinners) • Items of a personal nature e.g. telephone, laundry, minibar • Travel insurance North Yorkshire Moors Railway
TOUR PRICE HMS Victory at Portsmouth
Per person twin share $9,985
Single supplement $1,150
Deposit (per person) $500 at time of booking
Final payment due by 27 June 2015
DETAILS SUBJECT TO CHANGE
We endeavour to have all the details of our tours correct at the time
of printing, however, sometimes factors beyond our control such as
movements in foreign exchange rates, the availability of requested
hotels, the operation of trains and other services change and affect the
final inclusions and price. Therefore, items mentioned in the brochure
such as quoted prices, hotels and inclusions are subject to change.
Please check with us at the time of booking.
ADDITIONAL TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS
We can assist you with your international flights, pre- and post-travel
including extended stays in Europe, visas and travel insurance. Call
our office on 1300 733 323 if you would like to discuss options.
TOUR MINIMUM NUMBERS
Please note that minimum tour numbers must be met in order for this
tour to run.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
For more information on factors that could affect your ability to
participate in the tour such as fitness levels, fees and charges,
payment schedules, passport validity and liabilities please refer to the
Terms and Conditions.
Brunel’s Suspension Bridge at Bristol
This tour is operated by Guidepost Tours, a division of SCT Travel Group in conjunction with York Minster Scott McGregor’s Railway Adventures T/A Lic. No. 2TA5895
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