Explore Britain by Train

There are few more evocative names in railways than Great Western. Designed and built by Isambard Kingdom Brunel, its first trains ran in 1838 and have continued to carry passengers on the ‘holiday line’ to the West Country and Wales ever since.

Begin your discovery of Britain by train departing from London Paddington – also designed by Brunel and opened in 1854. Your first train ride of this epic journey takes 88 minutes to Bath Spa station.

Arriving at Bath Spa, it’s just a short taxi ride to your hotel in this most enchanting of cities.

Your Hotel in Bath

In a leafy and tranquil street by peaceful Henrietta Park, your accommodation in Bath is an imposing former dwelling, whose owners have created a quite superb place in which to spend a couple of days. You’ll have the afternoon to explore at your leisure.

A UNESCO World Heritage city, Bath presents a glorious and captivating destination. From the magnificent Georgian architecture of Royal Crescent and the Pulteney Bridge, the fascinating ancient engineering of the Roman Baths and the elevated, gallery-lined streets of Holloway, to a wealth of traditional and contemporary dining and drinking options, Bath has long been one of our favourites.

Several guided tour options are available for Bath and the wider area – the Cotswolds and Stonehenge for example – and we would be happy to facilitate on your behalf.

It’s a short journey by train to Oxford today, so take your time over breakfast and perhaps enjoy a morning stroll around the park before setting off. At Oxford, it’s just a short taxi ride from the station to your accommodation.

Your Accommodation in Oxford

Long established and family owned, your accommodation in Oxford is a guest house created from an 18^th century former coaching inn, reputedly the last in Oxford on the road to London. Eight elegantly presented en-suite bedrooms, some with vaulted, exposed beam ceilings, feature modern king-sized beds, crisp linens and painted French style furniture. Dining is in the open plan breakfast room, when your hosts mingle, offering advice on how best to spend your day in this historic city. Visitors are spoiled for evening dining choices, with some of Oxford’s best eateries – suitable for every budget – within easy walking distance.

Compact and largely flat, Oxford is best experienced on foot. Many of the city’s most celebrated universities and colleges, the Bodleian Library and Radcliffe Camera, are within 15 minutes walk of your accommodation, the Castle and Covered Market within 20. Fans of the Harry Potter films will find much over which to pore, with several most famous locations easily spotted as you stroll.

This morning you’re back on the train, cutting through the midlands and heading north as you make your way to the delightful city of Chester. With rich history seeping from its Roman city walls and gardens, impressive Gothic cathedral and Tudor landmarks dotted throughout, Chester is a wonderful spot around which to dawdle for a while. We’ll provide plenty of recommendations to help you make the most of your time here.

Your Accommodation in Chester

With fabulous views of England’s oldest racecourse, your hotel in Chester is a modern four-star gem in the most convenient of locations. Individually designed bedrooms major on comfort, alongside high quality en-suites, while the hotel features two different dining options – a sophisticated brasserie and more relaxed bar.

Take your time over breakfast this morning, before a short taxi ride back to Chester station in time to catch your train to Penrith. Here, you’ll be met at the station and transferred the short distance to your accommodation on the shores of Ullswater – commonly regarded as the most beautiful of all English lakes.

Your Hotel by Ullswater

Set just moments’ walk from the lakeshore, your accommodation by Ullswater is a family owned bar and restaurant with rooms, much acclaimed by locals and tourists alike for the quality of its food and lodgings. Originally the village blacksmith’s, then the Post Office, the property has undergone recent extensive renovation and now offers a cosy and charming haven after a long day’s exploring, with great food and regular local ‘Beer of the Month’ offerings at the bar. Rooms are simple and elegant, with touches of the surrounding area brought indoors in the form of real timber detailing, adding a unique lift to each bedroom.

Just a short stroll from your hotel, you’ll find the jetty for today’s transport, a superb steamer vessel, ready to take you around the lake. It’s a hop-on, hop-off service that you can use as much as you wish today. Perhaps you’d like to bring your walking boots and a packed lunch, disembark at Glenridding and take a stroll to the foot of Helvellyn, England’s third highest peak? Or simply stay on the boat all day and enjoy the lake from this most peaceful perspective.

Enjoy another terrific Lake District breakfast this morning, then take a transfer back to Penrith to catch your train to Glasgow. Here, switch stations and board your train for the legendary West Highland Line journey to Spean Bridge in the shadow of Ben Nevis. Known as one of the world’s most scenic railway routes, the West Highland Line powers swiftly away from Glasgow, soon kissing Gare Loch and Loch Lomond before climbing to traverse Rannoch Moor and dropping down towards the Highland village of Spean Bridge.

Your Hotel in Spean Bridge

A longstanding favourite of ours, your hotel in Spean Bridge is a family owned gem in one of the Highlands’ most picturesque spots. You’ll be met by the charming owners on arrival, tea and homemade scones at the ready, and escorted to the cosy guest lounge, where real log fires crackle amidst wooden walls adorned with shelves carrying an array of books for your endless perusing. Rooms are simple, yet the home cooked dinner and breakfast always leaves a lasting impression.

An undoubted holiday highlight awaits today: after breakfast, take the short train journey to Fort William in time to meet the world-famous Jacobite steam train, known better to some as the Hogwarts Express from the Harry Potter motion pictures. You’ll love the trip from Fort William to Mallaig, traversing the majestic Glenfinnan Viaduct, at whose visitor centre the train stops so you can stretch your legs and admire the views. Stirring stuff!

Upon arrival at Mallaig, it’s a two minute walk to reach the ferry terminal, where you board the ferry for a short crossing to Armadale on the Isle of Skye. Here, you’ll be met by private transfer and taken on a whistle-stop tour of the highlights of what is arguably Scotland’s most picturesque island, before heading back across the superb Skye Bridge to Kyle of Lochalsh and onwards to Plockton.

After a day’s travel, you’ll be ready to relax at your next hotel, in this quaint Highland village.

Your Hotel in Plockton

Set on the main street in this prettiest of Highland villages – made famous in BBC’s Hamish Macbeth starring Robert Carlyle – your hotel in Plockton is a family run gem beloved by village residents and visitors alike. Simply furnished, comfortable rooms, a lively bar often filled with locals, travellers and the sound of traditional music, as well as an excellent in-house restaurant, make this a terrific stopping-off point as you tour.

A fine Highland breakfast this morning sets you up for your next rail adventure. A member of hotel staff will transfer you to Plockton station in time to catch your train along the beautiful North Highland Line to Inverness, with your next base a short taxi ride from the centre.

Your Accommodation in Inverness

In a superb and convenient location on the banks of the River Ness, your accommodation in the Highland Capital is a deluxe, contemporary serviced apartment. Solid oak flooring, modern furnishings, a fully fitted kitchen and every conceivable convenience make this an enormously appealing space, with all of the city’s attractions within an easy stroll.

A great trip out today, as you’re collected at your accommodation and taken for a private half day guided tour around Loch Ness and the surrounding area. Your first view of Loch Ness is one to remember: containing more fresh water than all of the lakes in England and Wales combined, Loch Ness takes the breath away with its outstanding beauty. Its eastern and western shores are dotted with Highland villages, one of which, Drumnadrochit, is home to the visitor centre telling the story of the loch’s most famous ‘resident.’ Do remember to bring your sense of humour!

Time to board the train once more this morning, for another of Scotland’s must-see scenic lines from Inverness to Scotland’s capital, Edinburgh.

Your Hotel in Edinburgh

On a classic Victorian Edinburgh terrace just a few minutes’ walk from the West End of Princes Street, you’ll find this elegant four-star hotel formed from two grandly appointed houses. Newly refurbished rooms present a cosy and comfortable haven away from the bustle, while the stylish bar is the ideal spot in which to enjoy coffee or a dram while you plan your day or reflect on your evening out.

The in-house restaurant serves a tempting menu of classics utilising the very best local and seasonal produce, and you might enjoy a light lunch in the grand lobby area, while admiring the view from its vast bay windows.

Designated capital in the 15^th century and a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1995, the atmospheric and exhilarating city of Edinburgh is one to which we never tire of returning. You’ll find the imposing castle overlooking Princes Street in the west, Arthur’s Seat presiding over Holyrood in the east, plus the elegant Georgian architecture of the New Town and the mediaeval origins of the Old Town. On your doorstep you’ll find a wealth of superb dining options, world class galleries and museums plus quirky and fun shopping. Edinburgh is a terrific city in which to spend some time. Visit in August for the hustle and bustle of the International Festival and Fringe and Military Tattoo – though do plan and book well in advance!

Enjoy a final Scottish breakfast this morning before catching your train to the wonderful city of York.

Your Accommodation in York

Owned and run by the same family for a number of years, your accommodation in York is an award winning guest house of rare quality and comfort set around 20 minutes’ walk from the Minster and an easy stroll from many of the city’s main attractions.

Positively alive with history both ancient and modern, from Roman, through mediaeval to the dawn of the industrial age, there are few more fascinating places to visit in the UK.

The city is dominated by the Minster, one of the finest and largest mediaeval cathedrals in northern Europe and home to the largest expanse of mediaeval stained glass in the world. Absolutely not to be missed.  Further must-sees include the National Railway Museum, Clifford’s Tower, numerous galleries and gardens, as well as the famous and ancient ‘Shambles’ shopping area.

While here, you’ll enjoy use of a York Pass, allowing entry to all of the city’s main attractions and alleviating the need to wait in line for tickets.

After a last holiday breakfast, it’s time to set off on your homeward journey. We will be happy to facilitate train travel to your chosen destination.

This McKinlay Kidd trip can be planned and booked to meet your individual requirements, so do just let us know if we can adapt it to suit you – with different start and finish points or extended stays in certain locations, for example.