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Monday - Friday, 9am to 5pm
Explore the industrial age of waterways and railways on this fantastic tour based in historic Chester featuring one of the 'Seven Wonders of the Canals'. Discover the world of canals at Ellesmere Port, cruise across the fantastic Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, visit the beautiful Arley Hall & Gardens, and enjoy a nostalgic journey on the Llangollen Railway.
View Dates & Book5 days from £735
DEPARTS
Tuesday 13 May 2025
Tuesday 8 July 2025
Tuesday 16 September 2025
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
Explore the world of canals at Ellesmere Port
Enjoy a relaxing cruise on the River Dee
Visit the lavish Arley Hall & Gardens
Cruise across the breathtaking Pontcysyllte Aqueduct
Enjoy a nostalgic ride along the Llangollen Railway
Discover 2,000 years of history in the beautiful city of Chester
Wander along waterside paths and ancient city walls
Visit Port Sunlight and explore the Museum and Gallery
Stay in the heart of Chester
Also included in your Tour Fare:
4 nights’ bed, breakfast & evening meal plus 1 cream tea
Services of experienced Railtrail Tour Manager
DAY 1
We arrive in Chester and make our way to the Mill Hotel & Spa located alongside the canal. In the afternoon we enjoy time to explore our new surroundings and can take a stroll to the ancient City Walls or Roman Gardens before our first evening meal together.
DDAY 2
After breakfast today, we travel by road to Arley Hall & Gardens where we explore their lavish gardens. The gardens are regarded as one of the finest in Europe and have been created over the last 250 years, offering an interesting blend of history, design, and modern ideas. We return to Chester in the afternoon and enjoy a cruise on the River Dee followed by time at leisure in the city's charming streets of black-and-white houses, Roman museum, beautiful Cathedral, and famous Rows. You can walk below the towering walls, marvel at the ingenious Northgate Staircase Locks, or idle away a moment watching the boats in Chester Basin before reconvening for our evening meal.
B, DDAY 3
Today, our private coach takes us to the Llangollen Canal for a breathtaking aerial cruise across another of the 'Seven Wonders', the spectacular Pontcysyllte Aqueduct. Crossing 126ft above the River Dee, it is the highest and longest aqueduct in Britain and a World Heritage site, and we indulge in a sumptuous cream tea on our journey. Afterwards, we continue by road to Llangollen with time to look around the delightful town before a thrilling return train ride along the beautiful Llangollen Railway through the Dee Valley to Corwen.
B, LR, DDAY 4
After breakfast, we travel by train to Port Sunlight, the village that William Hesketh Lever built for his Sunlight Soap Factory workers in 1888, where we enjoy free time to explore the many attractions including the Port Sunlight Museum and Lady Lever Art Gallery. After lunch, we continue to Ellesmere Port to discover the colourful world of Roses & Castles at the National Waterways Museum. We enjoy a guided tour of the large collection of narrow boats, other canal craft, and recreated workshops and there is time for further exploration at leisure before we return to Chester by train.
B, DDAY 5
After breakfast, we bid farewell to beautiful Cheshire as we make our way homeward.
BB=Breakfast, LR=Light Refreshments, D=Dinner
HOTEL
Mill Hotel & Spa, Chester
Situated along the side of the Shropshire Union Canal, the Mill Hotel is a comfortable hotel with facilities including a gym, spa, and sauna plus guests can enjoy dining in the beautiful canalside restaurant or relaxing in the bar and lounge. The stylish bedrooms offer a private bathroom with complimentary toiletries, a hairdryer, flat-screen TV, free Wi-Fi, and tea/coffee making facilities.
FARES
| Fare Region | First* | Standard |
| London: Euston | £979 | £845 |
| Greater London | £995 | £865 |
| South of England | £1,039 | £895 |
| East Anglia | £1,075 | £909 |
| South West | £1,005 | £865 |
| Heart of England | £899 | £799 |
| Midlands | £809 | £779 |
| Yorkshire | £905 | £829 |
| North East | £999 | £885 |
| North West | £899 | £815 |
| South Wales | £1,015 | £855 |
| North Wales | £849 | £779 |
| Scotland | £975 | £849 |
*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
Join & Leave at Hotel £740
Single Room Supplement £250
4 nights’ bed, breakfast & evening meal plus 1 cream tea
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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