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adeo Travel · Independent Rail Tour

Heart of England by Rail

Eight-day self-guided rail tour from Bath to London via Oxford and Stratford

Illustration of Heart of England by Rail

Heart of England by Rail is a self-guided eight-day independent tour operated by adeo Travel, starting in Bath and ending in London. Using an eight-day BritRail pass, you travel by train to Oxford, Stratford-upon-Avon and London, with two guided small-group coach excursions to the Cotswolds and Stonehenge. Each day offers a mix of independent exploration of historic town centres and optional attractions, combined with curated local guidance. You stay in handpicked three-star hotels with full English breakfasts, and the itinerary weaves together medieval university architecture, Shakespeare heritage sites, Regency crescents, Roman ruins and major London landmarks. The pace is unhurried, with two nights in most towns to allow a full day of independent sightseeing. This tour suits first-time rail travellers who value expert planning support and history lovers seeking England's most celebrated regions.

What to know before you look closer

  • All listed hotels are marked 'or similar', meaning your final accommodation depends on availability and tier chosen at booking.
  • London Underground travel is not covered by the BritRail pass and requires separate tickets or Oyster cards (available as an optional extra).
  • Taxis or transfers from train stations to hotels are not included and must be arranged separately.
  • Stonehenge admission is not included; you pay the entrance fee locally on the Day 2 excursion.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Bath

    Bath City and Roman Baths

    Arriving in London Heathrow or Gatwick Airports, validate your BritRail Passes and join the Britain rail network. Glide through the English countryside to Bath, home to the Elizabethan Abbey, the Jane Austen Centre, Pulteney Bridge, the Royal Crescent and the Roman Baths and Pump Room.

  2. Day 2overnight: Bath

    Stonehenge and Cotswold Villages Excursion

    Join a local driver on a small-group day tour through the villages and countryside of Wiltshire, visiting Castle Combe, Avebury village, Silbury Hill, Stonehenge and Lacock Village.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Oxford

    Medieval Oxford

    Board the train to journey to the historic university city of Oxford. Explore the lawns, quads and spires of Oxford University and famous colleges such as Magdalene and Christchurch or the Bodleian Library and New College Hall.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Oxford

    Cotswolds Excursion

    Today is dedicated to exploring the quintessential English landscapes and villages of the Cotswolds via a short rail ride from Oxford to Moreton-on-Marsh, visiting villages such as Upper Slaughter, Stow-on-the-Wold and Broadway.

  5. Day 5overnight: Stratford-upon-Avon

    Shakespeare's Stratford-upon-Avon

    Take the rails north into the heart of England to Stratford-upon-Avon, exploring open greens, the River Avon and Tudor timberwork buildings. Visit Shakespeare's Birthplace, Anne Hathaway's Cottage or Mary Arden's Farm.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Stratford-upon-Avon

    Warwick and Warwick Castle

    Continue to explore Stratford-upon-Avon's heritage sites or make a short rail journey to Warwick, visiting St Mary's Church, Lord Leycester Hospital or St John's House, with the highlight of Warwick Castle.

  7. Day 7railovernight: London

    Icons of London

    Whisked south to London by rail, begin exploring the stunning English Capital, discovering world renowned sights including Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, Buckingham Palace and Trafalgar Square, the Tower of London and St Paul's Cathedral. By evening take a flight on the London Eye.

  8. Day 8rail

    Return Home

    Today bid farewell to the UK as you board the Heathrow or Gatwick Express rail links to take you back to your departure airport.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Arrive at Heathrow or Gatwick, validate your BritRail pass and travel through the English countryside to Bath, home to the Roman Baths and Pump Room.
  • Day 2Join a local driver on a small-group coach tour from Bath to Stonehenge, Avebury village and Cotswold villages including Castle Combe and Lacock.
  • Day 3Board the train to Oxford and explore the lawns, quads and colleges of Oxford University, including Magdalene and Christchurch.
  • Day 5Take the rails north to Stratford-upon-Avon to visit Shakespeare's Birthplace, Anne Hathaway's Cottage or Mary Arden's Farm.
  • Day 7Travel south by rail to London and see Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, Tower of London and St Paul's Cathedral; finish the evening with a flight on the London Eye.

Included

  • 7 nights accommodation (suggested accommodations listed below)
  • Full cooked English breakfast each morning
  • BritRail England Consecutive Passes (8 day) – 8 consecutive days of travel on the British National Rail Network from day of validation, fully flexible and unlimited for the period of validity, covering all outlined rail journeys including transit on the Heathrow or Gatwick Express rail links
  • Hand-picked small-group day-tour: Stonehenge and Cotswolds Villages Tour from Bath (excludes admission to Stonehenge – pay locally)
  • Hand-picked small-group day-tour: Famous Cotswolds or Cotswold Highlights tour from Moreton-in-Marsh
  • Admission to Roman Baths in Bath
  • Shakespeare's Houses Pass
  • Warwick Castle (excludes castle dungeon)
  • Adeo travel documents pack and suggested rail schedule information for each point-to-point journey including journey durations, departure stations and travel departure times
  • Toll-free calls (from USA and Canada) to your Britain vacation specialist whilst planning your trip
  • Expert assistance during the planning of your trip and local out-of-hours number for use during travel

Not included

  • Travel on the London Underground rail network (separate to the national rail network; BritRail Passes not valid)
  • Taxis / transfers from train stations to your hotels
  • Trip Insurance
  • Flights
  • Meals and/or sightseeing other than that outlined above

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included in the price?
Yes. The price includes an eight-day BritRail England Consecutive Pass covering unlimited travel on the British National Rail Network, including the Heathrow and Gatwick Express links, plus transport on the two included small-group day excursions by coach.
Is this tour guided or independent?
It is a self-guided independent tour. You navigate between towns using your BritRail pass. Local guides and drivers accompany only the two included day excursions: the Stonehenge and Cotswolds tour from Bath and the Cotswolds tour from Moreton-in-Marsh.
What is included in the price?
Seven nights in handpicked hotels, full cooked English breakfast each morning, the eight-day BritRail pass, two guided small-group day excursions, admission to Roman Baths, Shakespeare's Houses Pass and Warwick Castle, plus travel documents and specialist support.
What meals are included?
Full cooked English breakfast each morning. Other meals and sightseeing beyond those listed are not included.
How much walking is involved?
You will walk through city centres in Bath, Oxford, Stratford-upon-Avon and London to explore colleges, churches and landmarks. The two day excursions involve village exploration and castle grounds.
Can I upgrade to First Class train travel?
Yes, upgrading your rail passes for First Class travel is available as an optional extra.

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