Welcome to Railtrail Tours
A family firm with an ethos of honesty and integrity. Our passion for delivering quality escorted holidays by rail at great value fares along with consistently excellent customer service has stood us in good stead for over 40 years.
Big on Quality, Small Enough to Care
01538 382323
Monday - Friday, 9am to 5pm
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 on the Avon Valley Railway 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.
View Dates & Book5 days from £829
DEPARTS
Thursday 8 May 2025
Thursday 19 June 2025
Thursday 3 July 2025
Thursday 14 August 2025
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
Visit the worlds first great luxury liner, Brunels SS Great Britain
Explore Bristols 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 Avon Valley Railway
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 Thatchers 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.
DDAY 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, DDAY 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.
B, DDAY 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, DDAY 5
We bid farewell to Bristol with its proud history and make our way home.
BB=Breakfast, 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 |
*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.
Join & Leave at Hotel £829
Single Room Supplement £280
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
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