London and Its Surrounding by Rail – 5 Days

Arriving in to London, use your Airport Express Rail Pass on the dedicated airport rail link to the city centre. After dropping the luggage at the hotel use your London visitor rail card to explore some of London’s iconic sites from Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, Buckingham Palace and the Houses of Parliament to the London Eye, Tower of London and St Pauls Cathedral. Take a wander past Downing Street to Trafalgar Square to see Nelson’s Column, enjoy street entertainments in Covent Garden and the glamour of Picadilly Circus before a relaxing stroll in Hyde Park.

• Accommodation: overnight in London.
• Distance: 20 minutes to London (via Gatwick/ Heathrow Express).
• Highlights: London City, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, London Eye and the Tower of London.

DAY TWO – Shakespeare’s Stratford upon Avon OR Regency Bath

Today make use of your Britrail London Plus Pass to take a day trip through the countryside to Stratford upon Avon or the city of Bath. In Stratford you’ll find a charming Tudor town of timberwork houses over looking open greens and a wealth of Shakespeare related heritage sites including Shakespeare’s Birthplace and Anne Hathaway’s Cottage. If you opt to visit Bath you’ll find one of England’s most splendid cities home to cobbled streets, grandiose Regency architecture, a stunning medieval Abbey and the crowning glory at the Roman Baths and Pump Room.

• Accommodation: overnight in London.
• Distance: 2 hours (approx.) – depending on day excursion.
• Highlights: Bath City, Roman Baths or Shakespeare’s Stratford.

DAY THREE – London Culture and Shopping

Remain in London today to enjoy some of the world class museums whether it be the renowned British Museum, the Victoria and Albert or the Natural History Museum. If Art is your thing then there are world class galleries at the National Portrait Gallery, Tate Gallery and Tate Modern. After all that culture indulge in some retail therapy with a visit to the famous Harrods Department Store in Kensington, a stroll down Oxford Street or a visit to one of London’s many street markets such as Portobello Market. By night enjoy the bustle of the West End with perhaps a show in one of the many theatres.

• Accommodation: overnight in London.
• Highlights: British Museum and National Portrait Gallery.

DAY FOUR – Canterbury and Dover OR Cambridge City

Venturing out of London once more you may choose to travel north to the whimsical academic city of Cambridge. Home to one of the World’s most renowned universities Cambridge is home to stunning architecture in the form of the university quads, colleges and chapels such as trinity College and Kings College and is where Emanuelle Harvard studied before emigrating to the US. Alternatively you may choose to head south through Kent, the Garden of England to ecclesiastical capital of England at Canterbury home to a stunning Abbey and the grandiose Canterbury Cathedral. A short onward train ride will take you to Dover where you can see the famous Whit Cliffs and explore the coastal fort at Dover Castle and the labyrinth of underground wartime tunnels.

• Accommodation: overnight: London.
• Distance: 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.)*.
• Highlights: Canterbury, Canterbury Cathedral, Dover Castle or Cambridge.

DAY FIVE – Return home

Make your way to the airport for your return flight from Heathrow or Gatwick.