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Dorset Coast &
Isle of Wight Steam
DAY 1
Arrive in Bournemouth and transfer to the
Carlton Hotel, superbly situated on the East
Cliff overlooking the sea. Perhaps head into
Bournemouth or take a stroll along the East
Cliff before we enjoy our first dinner together
this evening. (D)
DAY 2
Our first excursion heads first to Poole,
from where we join our boat trip along the
Dorset coast. Cruising through beautiful Poole
Harbour, we view the start of the Jurassic
Coast, a remarkable natural landscape
protected as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Passing Old Harry Rocks, we sail into Swanage
Bay, disembarking at Swanage’s Victorian
pier. During your time in Swanage we include
a return journey on the nostalgic Swanage
Railway, which operates along six miles of
track from Swanage past the magnificent
ruins of Corfe Castle. Returning to Poole by
boat, then coach to Bournemouth, we enjoy
dinner at the hotel. (B,D)
DAY 3
Today we depart Bournemouth by coach
into the charming New Forest, whose pretty
villages and verdant forests are disturbed
only by the native ponies or deer, for a visit
to Exbury Gardens, famed for its exotic
displays of flowers throughout the year.
Here we take a ride on the estate’s narrow-
DEPARTS
HOTEL
Sunday 14 May 2017
Sunday 24 September 2017
Explore delightful Dorset by steam train and marvel at the Jurassic
Coast from our boat trip along the shoreline. Enjoy Exbury Gardens,
ride on the estate’s ‘Rhododendron Line’ narrow-gauge steam railway
and relax at our seafront hotel on Bournemouth’s
east cliff. Round off your holiday in great style with
a day’s adventure on the Isle of Wight.
© VisitWight
© Andrew PM Wright © Saffron Blaze
Isle of Wight Steam Railway
Corfe Castle, Swanage Railway Beautiful Jurassic Coast
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
★ ★ Return boat trip along the Jurassic
Coast
★ ★ Nostalgic steam train journey on the
Swanage Railway
★ ★ Travel through the New Forest to
Exbury Gardens
★ ★ Ride on Exbury’s ‘Rhododendron Line’
narrow-gauge steam railway
★ ★ Return rail and ferry to the Isle of
Wight
★ ★ Free time in Shanklin on the Isle of
Wight
★ ★ Experience the ‘Island Line’
★ ★ Journey back in time on the Isle of
Wight Steam Railway
★ ★ Bournemouth seaside hotel with
leisure facilities
Fares
From
£499
5
DAYS
FARES
gauge steam train, charmingly known as
the ‘Rhododendron Line’, following a circuit
through beautifully landscaped gardens and
woodland. (B,D)
DAY 4
Our final excursion heads by local train through
the New Forest to Brockenhurst, changing for
Lymington. At Lymington the Wightlink ferry
awaits to transport us the short distance to
Yarmouth on the Isle of Wight. Our coach
awaits for a scenic ride along the western
side of the island, around the southern tip
to Shanklin. After free time for lunch in
Shanklin, we take the Island Line service to
Smallbrook Junction. Due to the low ceiling
of Ryde Tunnel towards the northern end of
the 8 mile stretch of track, normal size trains
cannot operate on the island, which led to
the Island Line using refurbished London
Underground trains. At Smallbrook Junction
we switch onto the nostalgic Isle of Wight
Steam Railway, crossing the island’s heart
through picturesque countryside to Wootton.
Returning from Wootton to the railway’s
Haven Street station, we transfer by coach to
Yarmouth for our ferry and rail journey back to
Bournemouth. (B,D)
DAY 5
We bid farewell to Bournemouth and head
homewards. (B)
The Carlton Hotel, Bournemouth
One of Bournemouth’s original grand hotels,
combining Victorian elegance with modern
comfort, the hotel boasts a leisure club
featuring swimming pool, gym and sauna. The
Carlton was built in 1861 as a private house
for a religious minister. Converted into a hotel,
it became host to the rich and famous as
Bournemouth developed as a bathing resort.
Interestingly, the hotel played its part in the
D-Day Landings when General Eisenhower
and Field Marshall Montgomery discussed
landing plans at the hotel, having watched
exercises from the East Cliff.
FARE REGION FIRST STANDARD RC
London: Waterloo £675 £560 -£10
Greater London £705 £585 -£10
South of England £715 £595 -£10
East Anglia £635 £595 -£10
South West £655 £595 -£10
Heart of England £575 £550 -£10
Midlands £755 £635 -£15
Yorkshire £725 £630 -£15
North East £760 £645 -£15
North West £815 £660 -£20
South Wales N/A £580 -£10
North Wales £815 £660 -£20
Scotland £820 £675 -£20
Join & Leave at Hotel £499
Single Room Supplement £85
4 nights’ bed, breakfast & Table d’Hôte evening meal
Rail travel & seat reservations from your Home Station
to Tour Base (Standard or First Class)
Rail & coach travel, with transfers as described
All excursions and admissions as detailed
Services of experienced Railtrail Tour Manager
Hotel Porterage
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