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.
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Monday - Friday, 9am to 5pm
Discover our new festive tour based in Reading. Visit Highclere Castle, more popularly known as ITV's 'Downton Abbey', during its magnificent Christmas display and complete your Christmas shopping at their annual Christmas Fair. Sail down the River Thames on a leisurely cruise, enjoy a tour of Windsor Castle in its spectacular winter glory, and experience Oxford with a guided walk and a tour of Oxford Castle with free time in Oxford, Windsor, and Newbury to explore and create festive memories.
View Dates & Book5 days from £975
DEPARTS
Tuesday 03 December 2024
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
Enjoy a tour of wonderful Windsor Castle
Learn about the fascinating city of Oxford with a guided walking tour
Climb to the top of St George’s Tower at Oxford Castle
Explore the prison and 900-year-old crypt
Discover Highclere Castle, ITV’s "Downton Abbey", and their annual Christmas Fair*
Enjoy free time to explore the beautiful architectural city of Oxford
Relax on a leisurely, round-trip cruise on the River Thames with a festive tea experience
Also included in your Tour Fare:
Dinner every evening plus 1 afternoon tea
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 Reading where our hotel, for four nights, is the Pentahotel, ideally located a 10-minute walk from the train station. Tonight, we enjoy our first evening meal together.
DDAY 2
This morning we travel by rail to the market town of Newbury where our coach transfer awaits to take us to Highclere Castle, the film location of ITV's top drama series "Downton Abbey". We will discover the history of the castle on a guided tour, admire its festive décor which includes a breathtaking 24ft Christmas tree adorned with baubles, and explore the annual Christmas Fair*. With gifts and festive foods available, this could be the perfect place to complete your Christmas shopping, or you can visit the castles exhibitions and gardens (British weather permitting!). After our transfer back to Newbury, we have time to stroll through the town before taking the return journey to Reading.
B, DDAY 3
After breakfast today, we take the train to Oxford where we are greeted by our knowledgeable guide for our walking tour of Oxford and a visit to Oxford Castle & Prison. Here we will climb the 101 steps to the top of St George's Tower, one of the oldest buildings in Oxford with fantastic views over the city, and we will explore the prison and descend into the 900-year-old crypt. This afternoon is spent at leisure, you may wish to explore the architectural delights of the historical city, visit fascinating museums, or maybe indulge in some Christmas shopping.
B, DDAY 4
Today, after breakfast, we walk to the station and board our train to Windsor & Eton for our exciting tour of Windsor Castle. Built in the 11th century, Windsor Castle is the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world and has been associated with the British Royal family for centuries. In the afternoon, we take a short stroll to Windsor Promenade where we board our boat for a relaxing two-and-a-half-hour cruise down the River Thames enjoying a festive afternoon tea, followed by time at leisure to explore the town of Windsor before heading back to our hotel for our final dinner together.
B, LR, DDAY 5
We bid farewell to Reading as we make our way home.
*Important Note: Highclere Christmas Fair has not been confirmed for 2024 at the time of tour compilation. We do reserve the right to make substitutions and changes to the itinerary should it be deemed necessary.
B=Breakfast, LR=Light Refreshments, D=Dinner
HOTEL
Pentahotel, Reading
A comfortable and modern 4-star hotel situated in the heart of Reading and a 10-minute walk from Reading train station. Every room has a flat screen TV, fast and free Wi-Fi, and a private bathroom with toiletries and a rain shower. The hotel also has a fitness centre and games room or take time to relax, dine or enjoy a drink in the elegant Pentalounge. Single travellers have sole occupancy of a double room.
FARES
| Fare Region | First* | Standard |
| London: Paddington | £1,045 | £1,019 |
| Greater London | £1,075 | £1,039 |
| South of England | £1,109 | £1,069 |
| East Anglia | £1,099 | £1,055 |
| South West | £1,195 | £1,119 |
| Heart of England | £1,105 | £1,049 |
| Midlands | £1,259 | £1,115 |
| Yorkshire | £1,229 | £1,119 |
| North East | £1,265 | £1,135 |
| North West | £1,259 | £1,115 |
| South Wales | £1,175 | £1,109 |
| North Wales | £1,309 | £1,149 |
| Scotland | £1,325 | £1,165 |
*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 £985
£10 tour discount for holders of National Railcards
Single Room Supplement £250
4 nights’ bed, breakfast & evening meal plus 1 afternoon 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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