Description
HIGHLIGHTS: Gloucester & Warwickshire Steam Railway, Lynton & Lynmouth, Sidmouth, Seaton, West Somerset Heritage Railway, Exmoor, Cotswold scenery, Seaton Tramway, Broadway
Nothing quite matches the thrill of a vintage train ride, and we have some of the very best on this wonderful tour in the West Country. The West Somerset Heritage Railway combines amazing coastal views with the wild landscapes of Exmoor, while the Gloucester and Warwickshire Steam Railway opens up the heart of the Cotswolds and the lovely Malvern Hills. We also feature a ride on a restored tramway through the beautiful Axe Valley, and excursions by coach to some of the West Country's finest seaside resorts.
**Please note it is a condition of travel with Grand UK, for all passengers to hold valid travel insurance for the duration of their tour.**
Itinerary
Excursions
FULL DAY: This morning we make our way to Bishops Lydeard, starting point for our superb twenty mile scenic train ride on the West Somerset Heritage Railway to the popular resort of Minehead. We continue by coach along the coast to the twin resorts of Lynton and Lynmouth, linked by a cliff railway.
FULL DAY: Today we make our way to the South Devon coast where a succession of small resorts are set between cliffs and wooded hills. Our first stop of Seaton, gateway town to the Jurassic Coast, is where we enjoy a journey on the restored tramway. It operates between Seaton, Colyford and Colyton in the glorious Axe Valley, travelling alongside the River Axe estuary through two nature reserves and giving an unrivalled view of the abundant wading bird life. In the afternoon we travel along the coast to Sidmouth, a genteel resort set between the distinctive 'Jurassic' red cliffs, which has an air of Victorian prosperity.
FULL DAY: We head north today towards the Cotswolds and the famous horse racing town of Cheltenham. Here we take a ride on the Gloucestershire and Warwickshire Steam Railway as it passes between the Malvern and Cotswold Hills to the pretty village of Broadway via the Great Tunnel and over Stanway Viaduct. We enjoy some free time in Broadway before we return by coach through the splendid Cotswolds countryside.
Escorted Travel
Every one of our coach holidays includes the services of a coach driver and is always fully escorted by a knowledgeable Tour Manager, they are on hand every day and night and stay in the same hotel to ensure your holiday is stress-free.
Our coach Tour Managers are there purely for your extra comfort and enjoyment, from organising activities to breaking the ice and helping you all make the most of your holiday.
We hand-pick these extra special people because of their passion for people and places; they are the heartbeat of our coach holidays, a smiling face, a helping hand and always a listening ear and have the ability to turn a great time into a truly magical and memorable holiday experience.
They are simply the best in the business.
Our coach Tour Managers are there purely for your extra comfort and enjoyment, from organising activities to breaking the ice and helping you all make the most of your holiday. They are simply the best in the business.
We hand-pick these extra special people because of their passion for people and places; they are the heartbeat of our coach holidays, a smiling face, a helping hand and always a listening ear and have the ability to turn a great time into a truly magical and memorable holiday experience.
Everything Included:
- Free local joining points
- Collect Coach Miles
- All coach travel
- Reserved seats on tour coaches
- Tour Manager escorted
- Hotel accommodation and board as stated
- No single room supplement
- Excursions / itinerary as stated
- Admission fees and entertainment if stated
- Complete luggage handling
- Price-Back Insurance Offer
Your Pick Up Points
Joining Your Grand UK Coach Holiday
For 2024 we have introduced improvements to our network of local pick up points across the eastern, central and southern England, aimed at shortening your journey times and getting you away on holiday more easily and conveniently, meaning an altogether more relaxing start. We now have two pick up regions so your travel days will be more convenient, providing more efficient journeys, meeting your tour manager and fellow travellers earlier and in most cases arriving in resort earlier, please refer to our Pick-ups section below for more details.
The Tour Ref below indicates whether the tour departs from Area A or Area B by having either an A or B at the end. For example, GUK5A would be a tour departing from Area A.
Pick-Up Information
For 2024 we have introduced improvements to our network of local pick up points across the eastern, central and southern England, aimed at shortening your journey times and getting you away on holiday more easily and conveniently, meaning an altogether more relaxing start. We now have two pick up regions so your travel days will be more convenient, providing more efficient journeys, meeting your tour manager and fellow travellers earlier and in most cases arriving in resort earlier.
The Tour Ref on the holiday tab indicates whether the tour departs from Area A or Area B by having either an A or B at the end. For example, GUK5A would be a tour departing from Area A.
Traveling from Departure Area A: Be picked up from your free local departure point, and join your tour coach at our interchange area at Northampton Services on the M11, at junction 15A.
Traveling from Departure Area B: Be picked up from your free local departure point, and join your tour coach at our interchange area at Beaconsfield Services, M40, junction 2.
Venue Information
New Ocean Hotel
This family run hotel is situated opposite Weston's Marine Lake, offering panoramic views across Weston Bay.
- Restaurant and bar/lounge with dance floor
- En-suite bedrooms
- Free Wi-Fi available
- Nightly entertainment
- Lift
Hotel/Attraction Links