Highlights of the Jurassic Coast

After breakfast you are free to check out and depart at your leisure. *Please note: We cannot guarantee that all our rail journeys will be steam hauled and the running order of the itinerary may change depending on availability. The final itinerary will be confirmed in your final Travel Documents.*

This morning we journey by coach to Exbury Gardens, famous for the Rothschild collection of rhododendrons, azaleas, camellias and rare trees and shrubs. Here you have free time to explore the garden and its woodland walks, art and sculpture exhibitions. You can also enjoy an included ride on the narrow-gauge steam railway that follows a scenic route through parts of the gardens previously inaccessible to the public. This afternoon our coach takes us to Beaulieu National Motor Museum for an afternoon at leisure. There’s so much to see and experience at Beaulieu, why not take a tour on the mono-rail or open-top bus, explore the extensive motor museum and its fascinating collection of cars and transport or visit the palace house and gardens. Dinner is served in the hotel this evening.

After breakfast we join our coach and head to Arlesford Station. From here we have included unlimited access on the Mid-Hants Railway; affectionately known as the Watercress Line. Between the 1890s and 1960s the Mid-Hants Railway was involved in transporting watercress from the beds in Arlesford up to London and the Midlands, before being closed by the British Railways in 1973. However thanks to many eager volunteers the line has gradually been restored and re-laid, re-opening completely in 1985. After a day of leisurely exploring, our coach will take us back to our hotel where we will enjoy dinner and a relaxing evening.

After breakfast at the hotel our coach transfers us to Poole quay where we’ll join the spectacular Sea Train adventure. We’ll begin with a boat ride from Poole to Swanage and then join the Swanage Railway for a fantastic round trip along the eastern tip of the enchanting Jurassic coastline. We’ll pass the famous Old Harry Rocks chalk formations, the quaint village of Harman’s Cross and the ruins of Corfe Castle in the stunning village of Corfe before continuing along the line until we reach Norden, from here we’ll retrace our route back to Poole quay. We’ll return to our hotel by coach for dinner.

Make your own way to our hotel in Bournemouth, where you meet our Tour Manager and enjoy a relaxing evening with dinner.