The Great Britain XIX

Twenty years after the inaugural Great Britain tour first took to the rails, we invite you to join us for a very special anniversary journey across England, Wales and Scotland. The Great Britain 2027 brings together the very best of main line steam, from legendary railway routes and challenging gradients to spectacular coastlines, remote landscapes and historic cities – a magnificent celebration of two decades of unforgettable steam-hauled adventures around Britain.

• Celebrating 20 years since the inaugural Great Britain tour.
• Eight days of spectacular main line steam across England, Wales and Scotland.
• Traverse the breathtaking Heart of Wales and the Settle & Carlisle line.
• Experience the legendary climbs of Shap Summit and Beattock Bank.
• Cross the iconic Forth Bridge and magnificent Ribblehead Viaduct.
• Discover dramatic coastlines, remote landscapes and historic cities along the way.
  

Saturday 24 April

Westward by steam – From London through Wessex to the Welsh Capital

Leaving London Victoria on Saturday morning, we travel through the suburbs of south London towards Epsom and Leatherhead, crossing the River Mole before joining the scenic Arun Valley Line at Horsham. Our route takes us through the attractive Sussex countryside via Pulborough and Arundel before continuing to the historic cathedral city of Chichester. Heading west through Havant and Cosham, we reach Eastleigh and take the line through Romsey, renowned for its impressive Norman abbey, before arriving at Salisbury for a water stop. Here, the magnificent 404-foot spire of Salisbury Cathedral – the tallest in the United Kingdom – dominates the skyline.We continue via Westbury and the picturesque Avon Valley to the Roman city of Bath and onwards to Bristol. Our steam-hauled journey then takes us through the Severn Tunnel into Wales, travelling via Newport before arriving in Cardiff for our overnight stay.

Sunday 25 April

Steam through the Heart of Wales – Cardiff to Chester

Departing Cardiff behind our steam locomotive, we head west before joining one of Britain’s most enchanting rural railways – the spectacular Heart of Wales Line. Winding through remote valleys, rolling hills and rugged upland scenery, this wonderfully unhurried route offers a memorable journey through the heart of the Welsh countryside. Highlights include the dramatic climb over the 18-arch Cynghordy Viaduct and through Sugar Loaf Tunnel, before we continue via Llanwrtyd Wells to the elegant Victorian spa town of Llandrindod Wells, where we pause for water. Further north, we cross the impressive Knucklas Viaduct before reaching Craven Arms and joining the Welsh Marches route to historic Shrewsbury. Our journey continues north towards Chester, passing through the beautiful border country around Chirk and Wrexham. We arrive in the magnificent Roman city of Chester, with its famous walls and historic centre.

Monday 26 April (Optional excursion day)

A day in Chester or a journey into the Heart of Snowdonia

Today offers a choice between exploring historic Chester at your leisure or joining our optional excursion into the spectacular landscapes of North Wales. Those remaining in Chester can discover its remarkable Roman and medieval heritage, walk the ancient city walls, visit the magnificent cathedral and famous timber-framed Rows, or perhaps enjoy a relaxing cruise along the River Dee. Alternatively, join us for a memorable rail journey to Blaenau Ffestiniog. We travel along the scenic North Wales Coast beside the Dee Estuary, passing traditional seaside resorts before turning inland at Llandudno Junction. Following the beautiful Conwy Valley through Betws-y-Coed, the railway begins its dramatic climb into the mountains of Snowdonia, negotiating steep gradients and tunnels on its way to Blaenau Ffestiniog. Here, the dramatic landscape reveals the legacy of North Wales’ historic slate industry before we retrace our spectacular route to Chester.

Tuesday 27 April

Over Shap and Beattock – The Great Steam Road to Scotland

Leaving Chester in the morning, we travel via Warrington to join the West Coast Main Line and begin our journey north through Lancashire. Passing Preston and Lancaster, we skirt the shores of Morecambe Bay before pausing for water at historic Carnforth, forever associated with the classic film Brief Encounter. We then head into increasingly dramatic scenery, passing the eastern edge of the Lake District before our steam locomotive tackles the famous climb to Shap Summit, 916 feet above sea level. Continuing through Penrith, we reach Carlisle, where there will be a short opportunity to explore this historic Border city while our locomotive is serviced. Our journey then crosses into Scotland at Gretna and continues through the beautiful Lowlands. Another great challenge awaits as our locomotive tackles the ten-mile ascent of Beattock Bank to its 1,016-foot summit. We then descend through the Upper Clyde Valley towards Glasgow, arriving at Glasgow Central for our overnight stay.

Wednesday 28 April

Burns Country, Ailsa Craig and the Wild Road to Stranraer

Today brings a wonderful contrast as we leave the suburban lines of Glasgow behind and journey through coastal Ayrshire into the remote landscapes of south-west Scotland. Travelling through the heart of Burns Country, we pass Ayr, closely associated with Scotland’s national poet Robert Burns, before the railway begins to reveal magnificent coastal scenery. Beyond Maybole and Girvan, sweeping views open across the Firth of Clyde, with the mountains of Arran in the distance and the distinctive volcanic silhouette of Ailsa Craig rising dramatically from the sea. Turning inland, our steam locomotive tackles the challenging gradients through increasingly wild and sparsely populated countryside, reaching the line’s summit at Chirmorie. From here we descend through the beautiful landscapes of Galloway towards Glenluce before reaching Stranraer, situated at the head of Loch Ryan. After a break while our steam locomotive is serviced, we retrace this wonderfully scenic route northwards for our return to Glasgow.

Thursday 29 April

Across the Forth and into the Borders – Scotland’s great railway landscapes

Today we enjoy a fascinating journey across Central Scotland, taking in historic railway routes, spectacular scenery and one of the world’s most celebrated railway landmarks. Leaving Glasgow, we travel towards Stirling, with its magnificent castle high above the city, before continuing via Alloa and along the northern shore of the Firth of Forth. Crossing Fife, we reach Thornton and take the recently reopened Levenmouth Rail Link to Leven, returning passenger trains to this route after more than half a century. We then follow the Fife coast through Kirkcaldy before crossing the magnificent Forth Bridge on our approach to Edinburgh. Our adventure continues south from the Scottish capital over the scenic Borders Railway to Tweedbank. Following much of the legendary former Waverley Route, this is a rare opportunity to experience the beautiful Midlothian and Borders countryside by steam before returning via Galashiels to Edinburgh for our overnight stay.

Friday 30 April

From the Forth to Hadrian’s Wall – Steam along the Northumberland Coast

Leaving Edinburgh behind, we head east along the East Coast Main Line before branching away at Drem for a rare steam-hauled journey to the attractive seaside town of North Berwick, beautifully situated on the Firth of Forth. Returning to Drem, we turn south and follow one of Britain’s great coastal railway routes, with sweeping views towards the North Sea.

Crossing the magnificent 28-arch Royal Border Bridge at Berwick-upon-Tweed, we enter England and continue south past the dramatic landscapes of the Northumberland coast, with glimpses towards Lindisfarne and Bamburgh Castle. After passing Alnmouth and Morpeth, we reach Newcastle before turning west and crossing the River Tyne. We then join the scenic Hadrian’s Wall Line, travelling through the Tyne Valley and historic Hexham, close to the route of the famous Roman frontier, before arriving in the ancient Border city of Carlisle for our overnight stay.

Saturday 1 May

The Settle & Carlisle Finale – Across the Pennines to London

Our final day promises a magnificent finale as we head south over the legendary Settle & Carlisle Railway, one of Britain’s greatest scenic main lines. Climbing high into the Pennines, our steam locomotive tackles the ascent to Ais Gill Summit before crossing the spectacular Ribblehead Viaduct, with wonderful views towards the famous Yorkshire Three Peaks.

After pausing for water at Hellifield, we follow the picturesque Ribble Valley through Lancashire before joining the West Coast Main Line and continuing south to Crewe. Our journey then takes us through Stafford and around the West Midlands to Tyseley, where we join the former Great Western Railway route south through Banbury and historic Oxford. Following the Thames Valley through to Reading, we make our final run towards the capital, arriving at London Paddington and bringing our memorable Great Britain 2027 rail adventure to a fitting conclusion.

Tour Summary

Premier Class £4995

Blaenau Ffestiniog Optional Day* £435

Single supplement £595

First Class £3995

Blaenau Ffestiniog Optional Day* £325

Single supplement £495

*The Blaenau Ffestiniog excursion is optional priced per person.