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Great British Railway Journeys with Railtrail Tours

 

Michael Portillo's hugely popular 'Great British Railway Journeys' television series has sparked great interest in train holidays, reminding me of just how many of the great rail journeys in the UK that you can enjoy on holiday with Railtrail Tours. Following is a list of some of my favourites...

 

Enjoy!

 

Dave Felstead signature
Dave Felstead
Managing Director

 

<img src="Dawlish.jpg" alt="Dawlish Train">

Devon's Dawlish Sea Wall line

The Cornish Riviera Express was, in the days of steam, the most famous holiday train in the country. Children from nine to ninety eagerly awaited departing Exeter and clinging to the Exe estuary before the drama of speeding alongside the sea wall through Dawlish knowing that your holiday had really begun. Although no longer with steam, this spectacular journey is a wonderful introduction to our tours:

Steam & Sail in the Elegant English Riviera,  Classic Cornwall Coast & Country  and Springtime Gardens of Cornwall

.

 

 

West Highland Line - 'Harry Potter' & the Jacobite steam train

What a difference a film makes! Harry Potter has put it at the top of Scotland's 'must do' list! Experience travelling over Glenfinnan Vaduct on our Highland Adventure, Summer Highlander, Grand Tour - Lands End to John O'Groats, Golden Highlander and

Festive Highlands Tartan & Taster  tours.

 

 

Kyle of Lochalsh - The original 'Great Railway Journey of the World'

When I first made this journey over three decades ago, following Michael Palin's original 'Great Railway Journeys of The World' TV series, I fell in love with a railway journey!

Climb high above the tree line onto the great plateau through Achnashellach and Achnasheen, then descend for the coastal journey through Plockton into Kyle of Lochalsh, overlooking the Isle of Skye - simply the most memorable of rail journeys. Viewing the great herds of wild deer on the evening journey back to Inverness was the icing on the cake. You too can experience this most romantic of rail journeys on our short breaks Highland Rail Voyager, Grand Tour - Derry To Kerry and Romantic Highlander tours.

 

 

Welsh Highland Railway

<img src="welshhighlandrailway-12.jpg" alt="Welsh Highland Railway">

The newest of the UK's great rail journeys is the Welsh Highland Railway from Caernarvon through the Aberglaslyn Pass, in the Snowdonia National Park. This narrow gauge line is the longest in Britain and whilst the trains may be small the vistas are immense; enjoy it - and many more lines - on our tour of Wonderful Wales.

UK, Euro & Worldwide 2025

Award Winning rail holidays in the UK, Europe & Worldwide, departing in 2025

<img src="amsterdam©shutterstock.jpeg" alt="Amsterdam"/>
 
Amsterdam, Tulips, Cheese & Steam
From Price: £1,645.00
Duration: 7 Days
2 dates available
<img src="bristolharbour1©shutterstock.jpeg" alt="Bristol Harbour"/>
 
Bristol, Cider & Gorge-ous Cheddar
From Price: £829.00
Duration: 5 Days
4 dates available
<img src="/stoosbahn©adobestock.jpeg" alt="Stoosbahn"/>
 
The Big Five versus The Stoosbahn
From Price: £2,099.00
Duration: 8 Days
2 dates available
<img src="bedford©adobestock.jpeg" alt="Bedford"/>
 
Bygone Times of Bletchley & Beyond
From Price: £679.00
Duration: 5 Days
2 dates available
<img src="canadianrockies©shutterstock.jpeg" alt="Canadian Rockies"/>
 
Canadian Rail Explorer (Flight Inclusive)
From Price: £7,999.00
Duration: 13 Days
Departure Date: 22/03/2025
<img src="canadianrockies©shutterstock.jpeg" alt="Canadian Rockies"/>
 
Canadian Rail Explorer (Ground Only)
From Price: £6,999.00
Duration: 12 Days
Departure Date: 22/03/2025
<img src="dawlishseawall4©shutterstock.jpeg" alt="Dawlish Seawall"/>
 
Classic Cornwall Coast & Country
From Price: £899.00
Duration: 5 Days
4 dates available
<img src="llangollencanal2©dreamstime.jpeg" alt="Llangollen Canal"/>
 
Canals, Steam & Historic Chester
From Price: £735.00
Duration: 5 Days
3 dates available
<img src="lordoftheglens1.jpeg" alt="Lord of the Glens"/>
 
Exclusive Secrets of the Highlands & Islands
From Price: £4,999.00
Duration: 11 Days
2 dates available
<img src="neptune'sstaircase©adobestock.jpeg" alt="Neptune's Staircase"/>
 
Enchanting Voyage Through the Heart of Scotland
From Price: £3,899.00
Duration: 9 Days
Departure Date: 22/10/2025
<img src="breconmountainrailway3©shutterstock.jpeg" alt="Brecon Mountain Railway"/>
 
Forest of Dean Steam & The Wye Valley
From Price: £759.00
Duration: 5 Days
2 dates available
<img src="isleofsark3©shutterstock.jpeg" alt="Isle of Sark"/>
 
Guernsey, Jersey, Herm & Sark
From Price: £2,059.00
Duration: 9 Days
2 dates available
<img src="capecornwall1©shutterstock.jpeg" alt="Cape Cornwall"/>
 
Land's End to John O'Groats
From Price: £3,690.00
Duration: 14 Days
Departure Date: 04/09/2025
<img src="isleofharris2©shutterstock.jpeg" alt="Isle of Harris"/>
 
Hebridean Odyssey
From Price: £2,479.00
Duration: 8 Days
2 dates available
<img src="glenfinnanmonument7©shutterstock.jpeg" alt="Glenfinnan Monument"/>
 
Highland Adventure
From Price: £619.00
Duration: 4 Days
3 dates available
<img src="bodiamcastle1©dreamstime.jpeg" alt="Bodiam Castle"/>
 
Historic Kent Castles, Tracks & Vines
From Price: £1,350.00
Duration: 6 Days
2 dates available
<img src="hmsvictory©adobestock.jpeg" alt="HMS Victory"/>
 
Historical Wonders of Wessex & Portsmouth
From Price: £1,029.00
Duration: 6 Days
3 dates available
<img src="brockenbahn1©adobestock.jpeg" alt="Brockenbahn"/>
 
Harz Mountains Winter Wonderland
From Price: £1,395.00
Duration: 7 Days
2 dates available
<img src="isleofmanrailway1©iomsteamrailway.jpeg" alt="Isle of Man Steam Railway"/>
 
Isle of Man Explorer
From Price: £765.00
Duration: 5 Days
4 dates available
<img src="isleofsark3©shutterstock.jpeg" alt="Isle of Sark"/>
 
Jersey, Guernsey, Herm & Sark
From Price: £1,745.00
Duration: 9 Days
Departure Date: 18/05/2025
<img src="lakeside&haverthwaite1©shutterstock.jpeg" alt="Lakeside & Haverthwaite Railway"/>
 
Nostalgic Lakes & Mountains Explorer
From Price: £1,459.00
Duration: 8 Days
2 dates available
<img src="chatsworthestate1©shutterstock.jpeg" alt="Chatsworth Estate"/>
 
Peak District Panoramas
From Price: £1,115.00
Duration: 5 Days
3 dates available
<img src="gladstonepotterymuseum2©shutterstock.jpeg" alt="Gladstone Pottery Museum"/>
 
Potteries Heritage Discovery
From Price: £799.00
Duration: 5 Days
3 dates available
<img src="glenfinnanmonument1©shutterstock.jpeg" alt="Glenfinnan Monument"/>
 
Picturesque Highland Seasons
From Price: £999.00
Duration: 5 Days
5 dates available
<img src="enchantedforest1©shutterstock.jpeg" alt="Enchanted Forest"/>
 
Picturesque Pitlochry & The Enchanted Forest
From Price: £1,059.00
Duration: 5 Days
Departure Date: 20/10/2025
<img src="liverpool,beatles©shutterstock.jpeg" alt="The Beatles, Liverpool"/>
 
Revolutionary Cities & Lake District Treasures
From Price: £1,269.00
Duration: 6 Days
3 dates available
<img src="vivaglorialeavingparis©vivacruises.jpeg" alt="VIVA GLORIA leaving Paris ©VIVA Cruises"/>
 
Seine & Normandy Luxury River Explorer
From Price: £2,409.00
Duration: 8 Days
Departure Date: 15/05/2025
<img src="bamburghcastle1©shutterstock.jpeg" alt="Bamburgh Castle"/>
 
Step Back in Tyne - Discover the North East
From Price: £780.00
Duration: 6 Days
4 dates available
<img src="bo'ness&kinneilrailway1©shutterstock.jpeg" alt="Bo'ness & Kinneil Railway"/>
 
Scottish Steam, Malt & Ale Trail
From Price: £939.00
Duration: 6 Days
5 dates available
<img src="johno'groats1©shutterstock.jpeg" alt="John O'Groats"/>
 
Scotland's Far North, Shetland & Orkney
From Price: £1,659.00
Duration: 6 Days
Departure Date: 28/05/2025
<img src="pencarrowhouse&gardens1©pencarrow.jpeg" alt="Pencarrow House & Gardens"/>
 
Serene Gardens of Cornwall
From Price: £830.00
Duration: 5 Days
2 dates available
<img src="lancastercastle©adobestock.jpeg" alt="Lancaster Castle"/>
 
Spirit of the Ribble Valley
From Price: £665.00
Duration: 5 Days
2 dates available
<img src="southdevonrailway3©shutterstock.jpeg" alt="South Devon Railway"/>
 
Steam & Sail in the English Riviera
From Price: £645.00
Duration: 5 Days
6 dates available
<img src="fichtelbergbahn1©shutterstock.jpeg" alt="Fichtelbergbahn"/>
 
Dresden Steam Festival & More
From Price: £2,159.00
Duration: 8 Days
Departure Date: 08/04/2025
<img src="pressnitztalbahn3©shutterstock.jpeg" alt="Pressnitztalbahn"/>
 
Saxony & Harz Winter Steam Extravaganza
From Price: £2,399.00
Duration: 11 Days
Departure Date: 14/02/2025
<img src="frogrock,wekapass©wekapassrailway.jpeg" alt="Frog Rock, Weka Pass Railway"/>
 
New Zealand Steam Adventure (Flight Inclusive)
From Price: £9,995.00
Duration: 26 Days
Departure Date: 07/02/2025
<img src="frogrock,wekapass©wekapassrailway.jpeg" alt="Frog Rock, Weka Pass Railway"/>
 
New Zealand Steam Adventure (Ground Only)
From Price: £7,995.00
Duration: 22 Days
Departure Date: 10/02/2025
<img src="embsay&boltonabbeyrailway2©shutterstock.jpeg" alt="Embsay & Bolton Abbey Railway"/>
 
Roses Battle by Steam plus Settle & Carlisle Line
From Price: £1,299.00
Duration: 8 Days
3 dates available
<img src="/berninaexpress4©shutterstock.jpeg" alt="Bernina Express"/>
 
Swiss Glacier Express & The Bernina
From Price: £3,829.00
Duration: 11 Days
4 dates available
<img src="/oberalppasstrain1©istock.jpeg" alt="Oberalppass Train"/>
 
Swiss Winter Snow Train Adventure
From Price: £1,889.00
Duration: 8 Days
3 dates available
<img src="/furkasteamrailway3©shutterstock.jpeg" alt="Furka Steam Railway"/>
 
Swiss Mountain Treasures
From Price: £4,669.00
Duration: 11 Days
3 dates available
<img src="eigertrail©shutterstock.jpeg" alt="Eiger Trail"/>
 
Trails of Grindelwald: Hike & Explore
From Price: £2,499.00
Duration: 9 Days
2 dates available
<img src="greatormetramway1©istock.jpeg" alt="Great Orme Tramway"/>
 
Wonderful Wales
From Price: £1,130.00
Duration: 6 Days
5 dates available
<img src="breconmountainrailway4©shutterstock.jpeg" alt="Brecon Mountain Railway"/>
 
Welsh Whisky, Mines, Mint & Steam
From Price: £890.00
Duration: 6 Days
2 dates available
<img src="yorkminster1©shutterstock.jpeg" alt="York Minster"/>
 
Yorkshire Gold - Coast & Country
From Price: £1,690.00
Duration: 7 Days
2 dates available
<img src="kölsch,cologne©shutterstock.jpeg" alt="Kölsch, Cologne"/>
 
Great German Rail Ale Trail
From Price: £2,249.00
Duration: 9 Days
2 dates available
<img src="italianchapel,orkney1©shutterstock.jpeg" alt="Italian Chapel, Orkney"/>
 
Orkney & Shetland Explorer
From Price: £2,250.00
Duration: 8 Days
2 dates available
<img src="elbecyclingpath2©adobestock.jpeg" alt="Elbe Cycling Path"/>
 
Trails of Saxony: Cycle & Explore
From Price: £2,399.00
Duration: 9 Days
2 dates available
<img src="gornergratrailway2©shutterstock.jpeg" alt="Gornergrat Railway ©Shutterstock"/>
 
Grand Swiss Panorama
From Price: £5,495.00
Duration: 10 Days
Departure Date: 23/06/2025
<img src="belgianchocolatehouse©shutterstock.jpeg" alt="Belgian Chocolate House ©Shutterstock"/>
 
Bruges & Ghent Christmas Markets
From Price: £979.00
Duration: 4 Days
Departure Date: 15/12/2025
<img src="salzburg1©adobestock.jpeg" alt="Salzburg"/>
 
Beautiful Bavaria & Salzburg
From Price: £2,119.00
Duration: 7 Days
Departure Date: 04/07/2025
<img src="laketitisee1©shutterstock.jpeg" alt="Lake Titisee"/>
 
Black Forest & Lake Constance
From Price: £3,099.00
Duration: 8 Days
2 dates available
<img src="murgtalbahn©shutterstock.jpeg" alt="Murgtalbahn ©Shutterstock"/>
 
Black Forest Rail Roamer
From Price: £1,199.00
Duration: 6 Days
Departure Date: 30/04/2025
<img src="caernarfoncastle1©adobestock.jpeg" alt="Caernarfon Castle ©AdobeStock"/>
 
Celtic Royal New Year Celebration
From Price: £739.00
Duration: 4 Days
Departure Date: 30/12/2025
<img src="aucklandcastle3©aucklandproject.jpeg" alt="Auckland Castle ©Auckland Project"/>
 
Deck the Halls in County Durham
From Price: £500.00
Duration: 4 Days
Departure Date: 08/12/2025
<img src="greystonesrail1©shutterstock.jpeg" alt="Greystones Rail ©Shutterstock"/>
 
Emerald Isle Discovery
From Price: £2,845.00
Duration: 12 Days
Departure Date: 25/09/2025
<img src="glenfinnanviaduct6©shutterstock.jpeg" alt="Glenfinnan Viaduct ©Shutterstock"/>
 
Festive Highlands Tartan & Taster
From Price: £625.00
Duration: 5 Days
Departure Date: 02/12/2025
<img src="montenversrailway1©shutterstock.jpeg" alt="Montenvers Railway ©Shutterstock"/>
 
French Rail Roamer
From Price: £1,195.00
Duration: 6 Days
Departure Date: 01/07/2025
<img src="trainjaune1©shutterstock.jpeg" alt="Train Jaune"/>
 
Grand Tour - The Transpyrenean
From Price: £3,449.00
Duration: 15 Days
Departure Date: 13/09/2025
<img src="devilsbridge1©dreamstime.jpeg" alt="Devil's Bridge"/>
 
Heart of Wales & The Brecon Beacons
From Price: £725.00
Duration: 5 Days
2 dates available
<img src="stagnes2©adobestock.jpeg" alt="St Agnes"/>
 
Isles of Scilly Discovery
From Price: £2,275.00
Duration: 7 Days
2 dates available
<img src="rome,eternalcity©shutterstock.jpeg" alt="Eternal City, Rome ©Shutterstock"/>
 
Italy's Ancient Cities & The Campania Coast
From Price: £4,995.00
Duration: 10 Days
Departure Date: 16/10/2025
<img src="lakethun©shutterstock.jpeg" alt="Lake Thun"/>
 
Jungfrau Region Experience
From Price: £2,589.00
Duration: 5 Days
2 dates available
<img src="dogsledding3©shutterstock.jpeg" alt="Dogsledding, Lapland ©Shutterstock"/>
 
Lapland Winter Wonderland by Rail
From Price: £3,979.00
Duration: 11 Days
Departure Date: 27/01/2025
<img src="chilloncastleinwinter2©fccchâteau.jpeg" alt="Chillon Castle in Winter"/>
 
Montreux Festive Magic
From Price: £2,189.00
Duration: 5 Days
Departure Date: 08/12/2025
<img src="wartburgcastle1©shutterstock.jpeg" alt="Wartburg Castle"/>
 
Pearls of Thuringia
From Price: £2,599.00
Duration: 8 Days
Departure Date: 02/09/2025
<img src="plymouth2©adobestock.jpeg" alt="Plymouth"/>
 
Quays & Coastal Paths of Cornwall & Devon
From Price: £629.00
Duration: 5 Days
Departure Date: 06/05/2025
<img src="edinburghcastle1©shutterstock.jpeg" alt="Edinburgh Castle"/>
 
Queen of Scots & Edinburgh
From Price: £2,290.00
Duration: 9 Days
3 dates available
<img src="momentsrhine©vivacruises.jpeg" alt="VIVA MOMENTS Rhine ©VIVA Cruises"/>
 
Rhine Luxury Christmas Magic
From Price: £2,275.00
Duration: 9 Days
Departure Date: 19/12/2025
<img src="jacobiteonglenfinnanviaduct6©shutterstock.jpeg" alt="Jacobite on Glenfinnan"/>
 
Romantic Highlander
From Price: £1,309.00
Duration: 5 Days
2 dates available
<img src="zittaurailway©adobestock.jpeg" alt="Zittau Railway"/>
 
Festive Steam in Saxony
From Price: £2,269.00
Duration: 8 Days
Departure Date: 02/12/2025
<img src="glacierexpress1©shutterstock.jpeg" alt="Glacier Express ©Shutterstock"/>
 
Swiss Christmas Snow Train Adventure
From Price: £1,999.00
Duration: 8 Days
Departure Date: 20/12/2025
<img src="windsorcastle2©dreamstime.jpeg" alt="Windsor Castle"/>
 
Step into Christmas in Windsor & Oxford
From Price: £1,045.00
Duration: 5 Days
Departure Date: 02/12/2025
<img src="pinzgaubahn1©adobestock.jpeg" alt="Pinzgaubahn ©AdobeStock"/>
 
Austrian Steam Adventure
From Price: £2,325.00
Duration: 8 Days
Departure Date: 30/09/2025
<img src="luznarailwaymuseum1©adobestock.jpeg" alt="Luzna Railway Museum ©AdobeStock"/>
 
Czech Steam Festival
From Price: £3,199.00
Duration: 9 Days
Departure Date: 22/09/2025
<img src="emmentalerdairy©emmentaleraop.jpeg" alt="Emmentaler Dairy"/>
 
Swiss Food & Wine Delights
From Price: £2,959.00
Duration: 7 Days
Departure Date: 03/09/2025
<img src="stratford1©adobestock.jpeg" alt="Stratford ©AdobeStock"/>
 
Stratford Festive Delights
From Price: £985.00
Duration: 5 Days
Departure Date: 23/12/2025
<img src="tanfieldrailway1©stevenhatton.jpeg" alt="Tanfield Railway"/>
 
North East Steam
From Price: £879.00
Duration: 6 Days
Departure Date: 22/05/2025
<img src="rasenderroland1©adobestock.jpeg" alt="Rasender Roland"/>
 
Northern Germany by Steam
From Price: £2,425.00
Duration: 9 Days
Departure Date: 27/07/2025
<img src="mid-norfolkrailway1©shutterstock.jpeg" alt="Mid-Norfolk Railway ©Shutterstock"/>
 
Norfolk Steam
From Price: £975.00
Duration: 5 Days
Departure Date: 28/08/2025
<img src="mastrou,vivaraisrailway1©trainardeche.jpeg" alt="Vivarais Railway ©Train Ardeche"/>
 
South of France Steam
From Price: £1,899.00
Duration: 7 Days
Departure Date: 06/05/2025
<img src="westsomersetrailway1©adobestock.jpeg" alt="West Somerset Railway"/>
 
West Country Steam
From Price: £925.00
Duration: 6 Days
Departure Date: 25/06/2025
<img src="brienzrothorn1©shutterstock.jpeg" alt="Brienz Rothorn"/>
 
Switzerland Steam-Powered Six
From Price: £2,419.00
Duration: 8 Days
2 dates available
<img src="sagradafamilia1©adobestock.jpeg" alt="Sagrada Familia"/>
 
Treasures of Catalonia, Iberia & Andalucia
From Price: £3,995.00
Duration: 12 Days
Departure Date: 09/11/2025
<img src="manxelectricrailway1©liammiller.jpeg" alt="Manx Electric Railway"/>
 
Timeless Isle of Man Adventurer
From Price: £1,229.00
Duration: 8 Days
2 dates available
<img src="dumfries&galloway1©shutterstock.jpeg" alt="Dumfries & Galloway ©Shutterstock"/>
 
Twixmas in Dumfries & Galloway
From Price: £585.00
Duration: 4 Days
Departure Date: 27/12/2025
<img src="saphostrain9©saphos.jpeg" alt="Saphos Train ©Saphos"/>
 
West Country Luxury Steam
From Price: £1,425.00
Duration: 4 Days
Departure Date: 01/06/2025
<img src="winchestercathedralchristmas©shutterstock.jpeg" alt="Winchester Cathedral ©Shutterstock"/>
 
Winchester Christmas Celebration
From Price: £1,190.00
Duration: 5 Days
Departure Date: 23/12/2025
<img src="bingleyfiveriselocks1©shutterstock.jpeg" alt="Bingley Five Rise Locks"/>
 
Wonders of the Waterways
From Price: £1,875.00
Duration: 10 Days
2 dates available

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21 The Smithfield Centre, Leek
Staffordshire Moorlands, ST13 5JW
01538 382323
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