Land's End to John O'Groats

DAY 1

Journey from your home station to Falmouth and, on arrival, we will make our way to the Royal Duchy Hotel, our base for the next three nights. We enjoy free time to explore our new surroundings before meeting for our first evening meal together.

DAY 2

After breakfast this morning, we begin our excursions by travelling through the charming, unspoilt Cape Cornwall en route to Land's End, the westernmost point of England famous for its unique location, natural beauty, and stunning scenery. We continue our round trip stopping at the picturesque fishing village of Mousehole, before returning to Falmouth in time for our evening meal.

DAY 3

Today is spent at leisure to explore Falmouth. You could relax on one of the spectacular beaches, stroll through the award-winning green spaces, or visit the fantastic attractions including Maritime Museum, Falmouth Art Gallery, and Pendennis Castle.

DAY 4

After breakfast, we cross through Cornwall to Devon travelling by rail alongside the famous sea wall at Dawlish before continuing into Bristol for our overnight stay at the Leonardo Hotel. We visit the attractive harbour plus 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 before returning to the hotel for our evening meal.

*Note: Our luggage will be transferred from Falmouth to Chester therefore you will require an overnight bag in Bristol.

DAY 5

This morning, we head to the station which marks the beginning of our adventure northward as we travel through the beautiful Heartland of England to Chester. Here, we transfer to the Mill Hotel & Spa, our base for the next three nights, and this afternoon, we can stroll to the ancient City Walls or Roman Gardens before our evening meal together.

DAY 6

Today, we transfer along the North Wales Coast to Caernarfon where we board the magnificent Welsh Highland Railway for a scenic rail journey climbing into Snowdonia, twisting around forests to Beddgelert and through the much-treasured beauty of the Aberglaslyn Pass. At Porthmadog, we enjoy some free time for lunch before we embark on the Ffestiniog Railway for a narrow-gauge adventure climbing steep gradients to the unique landscape of Blaenau Ffestiniog before returning to the hotel for our evening meal.

DAY 7

After breakfast, we make the short journey by road to the Llangollen Canal for a breathtaking aerial cruise across one 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. 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 returning to the hotel in time for our evening meal.

DAY 8

Today, we leave Chester and board our train heading to the beautifully picturesque Lake District. On arrival at Windermere Station, we transfer to the Lakeside & Haverthwaite Railway where we enjoy a leisurely cruise to the southern tip of Lake Windermere, a visit to the Lakeland Motor Museum, and a vintage train journey through the picturesque Leven Valley. Afterwards, we continue to Kendal for our overnight stay at the Stonecross Manor Hotel where we enjoy our evening meal together.

*Note: Our luggage will be transferred from Chester to Bridge of Orchy therefore you will require an overnight bag in Kendal.

DAY 9

After breakfast this morning, our journey north continues via the West Coast Mainline into Glasgow where we have free time to enjoy our lunch and explore the city before travelling on the first section of the West Highland Line, dubbed one of the world's greatest railway journeys. We travel through wonderful watery landscapes as we skirt the Firth of Clyde, Loch Long, and Loch Lomond before climbing into the western Highlands to Bridge of Orchy, where we spend two nights at the Bridge of Orchy Hotel.

DAY 10

Today, we transfer to Fort William to continue our adventure aboard the magnificent Jacobite Steam Train to Mallaig journeying over the impressive Glenfinnan Viaduct, capturing the views of Bonnie Prince Charlie's monument, Loch Eilt, and Loch Shiel. There is time to explore the picturesque harbour town of Mallaig, with its majestic views across to the Isle of Skye, before we retrace our steps to the hotel in time for our evening meal together.

DAY 11

After breakfast this morning, we leave Bridge of Orchy behind and transfer by road through the dramatic Great Glen and alongside the serene Loch Ness on our way to Inverness for a three-night stay at the Palace Hotel.

DAY 12

Today, our excursion completes a wonderful coast-to-coast odyssey as we travel northwards through stunning coastal Sutherland and into Caithness for a visit to John O'Groats, the furthest inhabited place on mainland Britain from Land's End, some 874 miles away. Afterwards, we enjoy a visit to a traditional Highlands distillery for a fascinating tour and tasting before returning by road to Inverness in time for our evening meal.

DAY 13

Today, we spend the day at leisure to relax at the hotel or discover Inverness at your own pace. You may wish to make use of the hotel's spa facilities, explore the Highland scenery and iconic castles of Inverness, take an excursion to spot the Loch Ness Monster, or ride the Kyle Line to the Kyle of Lochalsh (one of the original "Great Railway Journeys of the World"). This evening, we reconvene at the hotel for our final evening meal together to reflect on our great adventure crossing three countries between the two farthest points, with a host of new and exciting experiences in between.

DAY 14

After breakfast, we bid farewell to Inverness and make our way to the station for our homeward journeys.

*Important Note: Whilst the arrangements for all described steam train travel are in place, we do reserve the right to make substitutions should it be deemed necessary for whatever reason.

B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner