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Railtrail Tours · Escorted tour

Bristol, Cider & Gorge-ous Cheddar 2027

Five-day escorted Bristol tour with heritage railway and Cheddar Gorge caves

Illustration of Bristol, Cider & Gorge-ous Cheddar 2027

Railtrail Tours' Bristol, Cider & Gorge-ous Cheddar is a five-day escorted package for travellers seeking history, heritage, and British industrial achievement. You depart from your home station and travel by rail to Bristol, staying four nights at the DoubleTree by Hilton while a Tour Manager oversees all excursions. The days blend transport heritage with natural spectacle: a ride on the East Somerset Railway heritage steam train, exploration of Cheddar Gorge's pre-historic caves where Cheddar Cheese matures, a boat tour of Bristol's Floating Harbour, visits to Brunel's SS Great Britain and Aerospace Bristol's Concorde, and a guided walk across Clifton Suspension Bridge. You also tour and taste cider at Thatchers Cider Farm and sample world-famous Cheddar Cheese. All meals, transport, excursions, and admissions are included, making it ideal for those who prefer arrangements organised in advance and enjoy the company of a small group.

What to know before you look closer

  • Rail travel from your home station is included but seat reservations are booked in Standard or First Class depending on availability; confirm the class with Railtrail Tours before booking
  • Day 2 offers cave entry and museum alternatives; the itinerary text cuts off mid-sentence and does not specify which is included or how much is optional

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Bristol

    Journey from your home station to Bristol and, on arrival, we will make our way to the DoubleTree by Hilton, our hotel for the next four nights. We enjoy free time to explore our new surroundings before meeting for our first evening meal together.

  2. Day 2overnight: Bristol

    Today, we take a private coach to the spectacular Cheddar Gorge which boasts awe-inspiring cliffs, and we take time to walk to the extraordinary caves to see the stalagmites, stalactites, and where Cheddar Cheese is matured. Alternatively, you can visit the Museum of Prehistory to discover the story of how our ancestors survived the Ice Age or visit the 'Shop at the Gorge' where you can treat yourself to the superb Cheddar Cheese. Afterwards, we continue to Myrtle Farm, the home of Thatcher's Cider, where we enjoy a guided tour and tasting before returning to Bristol in time for our evening meal together.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Bristol

    This morning, we explore Bristol's waterways as we board our boat tour discovering the fascinating history and contemporary culture of Bristol's Floating Harbour. We continue the maritime as we visit the Bristol Dockyards, home of the Being Brunel Museum and the SS Great Britain, the ship that changed the way we travel forever, exploring the ship's story and the engineer behind it. This afternoon, we make our way to the East Somerset Railway for a heritage steam journey along the 5-mile railway exploring the engine shed and workshop on our return before retracing our steps to Bristol for our evening meal together.

  4. Day 4overnight: Bristol

    Today, we experience 100 years of British aerospace industry as our coach takes us to Aerospace Bristol for a guided tour and talk on the supersonic Concorde; the museum is home to the last of these iconic passenger jets to be built and flown. Afterwards, we continue to the Grade I listed Clifton Suspension Bridge, spanning the beautiful Avon Gorge, where we learn about the construction, completion, and maintenance of this famous bridge. The rest of the day is free to explore the city or relax at the hotel before we reconvene for our final evening meal together.

  5. Day 5

    After breakfast, we bid farewell to Bristol and make our way to the station for our homeward journeys.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Coach journey to Cheddar Gorge to walk inside pre-historic caves and see stalagmites and stalactites where Cheddar Cheese is matured
  • Day 3Boat tour of Bristol's Floating Harbour and visit to Brunel's SS Great Britain at Bristol Dockyards
  • Day 4Guided tour at Aerospace Bristol of the supersonic Concorde and guided exploration of Clifton Suspension Bridge
  • Day 4Ride behind steam on the East Somerset Railway heritage train near Bristol

Included

  • 4 nights bed, breakfast & 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 & admissions as detailed
  • Services of experienced Tour Manager

Questions travellers ask

Is the train travel included?
Yes. Rail travel and seat reservations from your home station to Bristol are included, plus a ride on the East Somerset Railway heritage steam train. All coach transfers and excursion transport are also included.
Is this an escorted tour?
Yes. Railtrail Tours provides an experienced Tour Manager throughout the five days.
What accommodation is included?
Four nights at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Bristol, with bed, breakfast, and evening meals included each day.
When do departures run?
Two departures in 2027: May and July.
How much walking is involved?
The activity level is described as Moderate. It includes walking to caves, climbing on ships, and exploring bridges; luggage moves with you between coach and sites.
What is included in the price?
Four nights hotel with meals, rail travel from your home station, heritage railway ride, all coach transport, guided tours at Cheddar Gorge caves, Bristol Floating Harbour boat tour, SS Great Britain, Aerospace Bristol, Clifton Suspension Bridge, and services of the Tour Manager. Price starts from 995 GBP.

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