The Great Britain XIV 4

once served by its own station. You pass through the large market town of Malton and continue eastwards with the Yorkshire Wolds visible in the distance to Scarborough, your destination this evening. One of Yorkshire’s top seaside resorts, it has two bays and a castle, plus two beaches and a number of working cliff lift railways.

Saturday 22nd April Scarborough to the heart of the fens, Spalding, then to Norfolk Leaving the seaside resort of Scarborough in the morning, you retrace the previous day’s route back through Malton to York. Here you follow the East Coast main line as far as Doncaster where it branches off to take the Great Eastern and Great Northern Joint line towards Gainsborough. Leaving South Yorkshire, you enter Lincolnshire and run via Saxilby to Lincoln, whose lofty cathedral can be seen for miles around. From Lincoln, you follow the Joint line through the rural Lincolnshire countryside to Sleaford and on through vast agricultural landscapes to Spalding. Known as the Heart of the Fens, Spalding is famous for its tulips and agricultural produce. From Spalding, you join the Great Northern line to Peterborough and take the East Coast Main Line at Werrington Junction. Entering Peterborough, the great cathedral overlooks the city as you cross the river Nene and head across the Fens towards March. The flat terrain stretches eastwards, with striking views of Ely cathedral on the horizon. Skirting Ely you join the Norwich line, with flat agricultural countryside again on all sides through to Thetford, in Norfolk. You continue eastwards through Wymondham and approach Norwich via the Trowse swing bridge. You’ll spend your last night in the historic city of Norwich, noted for its preserved castle, fine cathedral and market.

Sunday 23rd April Norwich to Lowestoft; Steam on the East Suffolk Line Departing Norwich this morning, you will head for Lowestoft, the most easterly station on the British mainland. The route passes through the Norfolk Broads with much birdlife in evidence and is known as the Wherry Line. From Reedham, you cross the river Yare on a swing bridge, followed by several crossings of the river Waveney as you head for Lowestoft. After views of Oulton Broad, your train approaches the Lowestoft terminus, on the Suffolk coast. Lowestoft is a popular seaside town these days but was once a major fishing centre. Your tour highlight today is a steam trip on the rarely frequented East Suffolk line. You first leave Lowestoft and head for Beccles, before heading southwards along the Great Eastern Railway’s meandering cross-country route to Ipswich. The delightful Suffolk countryside is a real treat as you steam gently through the many quaint villages along the route. It’s a single line as far as Halesworth, formerly the junction station for the long-closed Southwold Railway. The Southwold Railway Trust hopes to restore the historic narrow-gauge line between these two towns. Freight services visit Sizewell power station where there is a junction at Saxmundham. Single track resumes here and continues to Woodbridge, a port on the River Deben eight miles from the sea. The Woodbridge Tide Mill is a rare example of a working tide mill that still grinds flour. You now run westwards towards Ipswich before taking the line known as the Bacon Factory Curve, constructed to avoid Ipswich. You’ll pass through Stowmarket and take the Great Eastern route via Newmarket to Cambridge. It is then homeward bound via Hitchin and the East Coast Main Line to London King’s Cross. You arrive by early evening to mark the end of your exciting and contrasting nine-day tour around fabulous Great Britain.

Tour Summary

Premier Class £3575 Aberdeen option £299 Single supplement £395 First Class £2765 Aberdeen option £199 Single supplement £375

Premier Class price includes:

• Eight nights accommodation and breakfast (when not served on the train) in 3 and 4star hotels • 6 breakfasts, 4 lunches and 4 dinners silver served at your seat • At seat drinks service • Allocated seat in a British Railway MK 1 first class open carriage • Coach transfers, where necessary, to hotels • Luggage transfers from hotel to hotel • Escorted throughout

First Class price includes:

• Eight nights accommodation and breakfast in 3-star hotels • Morning and afternoon tea service • A daily light meal served at your seat • At seat drinks service • Allocated seat in a British Railway MK 1 first class open carriage • Coach transfers, where necessary, to hotels • Luggage transfers from hotel to hotel • Escorted throughout

All prices shown are per person based on two persons sharing. Tables for two can be guaranteed in Premier Class and First Class for a supplement of £185 per person (subject to availability). Please note: The Aberdeen excursion tour is optional and priced per person. All routes and locomotive selections are subject to change, changes will be advised in advance.

Meals included each day are shown as: B = Breakfast - L = Lunch - D = Dinner

April 2023

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The Shetlander

Wednesday 10th May to Wednesday 17th May 2023

Discover the timeless beauty of the remote Shetland Islands on this ever-popular tour to the most northern outpost of the United Kingdom. • Following a high-speed trip north to Aberdeen, you cross to Shetland for a 4-day exploration of its rugged shorelines, windswept rolling hills and rich cultural heritage. • Visit the island’s outstanding natural and historical attractions and discover its stunning rock formations, unspoiled beaches and ancient archaeological sites. • Enjoy the local arts and crafts, breath-taking landscapes and local wildlife, with highlights including trips to ancient

Scalloway Castle, St Ninian’s Isle and Isbister, the most northerly point on Shetland accessible by coach. • On your return to the Scottish mainland you’ll cap this fascinating holiday with a relaxing stay at St Andrews, one of

Scotland’s most historic and elegant cities, steeped in golfing lore and crammed with beautiful architecture. • With added extras including a trip to Dundee to visit Captain Scott’s ship HMS Discovery and a steam trip on the

Caledonian Railway at Brechin, this highlight-packed Scottish holiday is not to be missed!

Wednesday 10th May London to Aberdeen Your adventure begins in the plush First-Class lounge at London Kings Cross, for a midmorning departure from London to Aberdeen. Travelling along the East Coast Main Line LNER service, you’ll enjoy complimentary drinks and a light lunch as the train travels north via York, Newcastle and Edinburgh. You cross the stunning Firth of Forth and Tay Bridges and arrive in Aberdeen in late afternoon, checking into your conveniently located city centre hotel. The rest of the evening will be spent at leisure in the ‘Granite City’, exploring this hub of Northeast Scotland. (L) Thursday 11th May Steam at the Caledonian Railway and Ferry Crossing to Shetland After breakfast, a road coach transfers you to Brechin, home of the Caledonian Railway. A privately chartered steam train then takes you on the eight-mile round trip from Brechin to Bridge of Dun and back. Freshly prepared sandwiches will be provided at the railway buffet. After lunch you return to Aberdeen and visit the ‘Fitties’, a charming old fishing village nestling on the north side of the harbour. In the afternoon you return to Aberdeen and board the modern ferry for an overnight crossing to Lerwick. The ferry sails within sight of the northeastern coast of Scotland before passing through the open North Sea. After dinner you retire to your private cabin for the night. (B L D) Friday 12th May Tour of the Central Shetland Mainland; Scallaway Castle and Museum After an all-night sail you reach Lerwick on the Shetland mainland and have breakfast on the ship before disembarking. Your tour of the Central Mainland of Shetland starts with a brief coach tour of Lerwick before heading west to Tingwall, where you’ll enjoy a guided visit to ‘Carol’s Ponies’, a local crofter who breeds Shetland ponies. Moving on, you head to the island of West Burra to view the beautiful sandy beach of Banna Minn, after which you make your way back to visit Scalloway Castle and museum. In early afternoon you have a scenic drive to Lerwick to visit the Iron Age tower ruins of the Broch of Clickimin on its outskirts. To round off a feature-packed day, you’ll visit the impressive