How much does it cost?

From £3,549 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $4,794 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.

Is the train travel included?

Yes. Rail travel and seat reservations from your home station to Falmouth are included, alongside the six named scenic and heritage railways ridden during the tour, such as the Welsh Highland Railway and the Jacobite Steam Train.

Yes, an experienced Railtrail Tour Manager accompanies the group throughout.

Which hotels are used?

Six hotels across the route: the Royal Duchy Hotel in Falmouth (3 nights), DoubleTree by Hilton in Bristol (1 night), Queen Hotel in Chester (3 nights), Stonecross Manor in Kendal (1 night), Bridge of Orchy Hotel (2 nights), and Kingsmills Hotel in Inverness (2 nights).

Which named railways does the tour ride?

The Welsh Highland Railway, the Ffestiniog Railway, the Llangollen Railway, the Lakeside & Haverthwaite Railway, the West Highland Line, and the Jacobite Steam Train over the Glenfinnan Viaduct.

When does this tour run?

One departure is listed, in September 2027.

Railtrail Tours · Escorted tour

Land's End to John O'Groats 2027

13-day coast to coast UK rail tour, Land's End to John O'Groats

Railtrail Tours' Land's End to John O'Groats is a 13-day escorted coast to coast tour crossing England, Wales and Scotland. The trip starts with three nights in Falmouth, including a visit to Land's End, the westernmost point of England, and a free day to explore the town. From there, rail journeys carry the group along the Dawlish sea wall to Bristol, then north to Chester for three nights, with day trips on the Welsh Highland Railway through Snowdonia, the Ffestiniog Railway, and the Llangollen Railway through the Dee Valley. The route continues to the Lake District, the West Highland Line to Bridge of Orchy, and the Jacobite Steam Train over the Glenfinnan Viaduct, before finishing with two nights in Inverness and a trip north to John O'Groats. A Railtrail Tour Manager accompanies the group throughout, and the operator rates the activity level as Active. The trip suits travelers who want a guided journey covering multiple named scenic railways rather than a single-region tour.

What to know before you look closer

Only one departure is listed, in September 2027, so date flexibility is limited.
Day 3 in Falmouth is unguided leisure time to explore the beaches, Maritime Museum, Falmouth Art Gallery, or Pendennis Castle independently.

Day by day

Day 1overnight: Royal Duchy Hotel, Falmouth
Falmouth
Journey from your home station to Falmouth and check in to the Royal Duchy Hotel for a three-night stay.
Day 2overnight: Royal Duchy Hotel, Falmouth
Land's End & Mousehole
Travel through Cape Cornwall to Land's End, the westernmost point of England, then a round trip via the fishing village of Mousehole.
Day 3overnight: Royal Duchy Hotel, Falmouth
Falmouth at Leisure
A day at leisure to explore Falmouth's beaches, green spaces, Maritime Museum, Falmouth Art Gallery, and Pendennis Castle.
Day 4railovernight: DoubleTree by Hilton, Bristol
Dawlish Sea Wall & Bristol
Rail journey through Cornwall to Devon alongside the Dawlish sea wall, continuing to Bristol to visit the Being Brunel Museum and SS Great Britain.
Day 5railovernight: Queen Hotel, Chester
Chester
Rail journey north through the Heartland of England to Chester; free time to stroll the ancient City Walls or Roman Gardens.
Day 6railovernight: Queen Hotel, Chester
Welsh Highland & Ffestiniog Railways
Transfer along the North Wales Coast to Caernarfon to board the Welsh Highland Railway through Snowdonia to Porthmadog, then the Ffestiniog Railway to Blaenau Ffestiniog.
Day 7railovernight: Queen Hotel, Chester
Pontcysyllte Aqueduct & Llangollen Railway
Aerial cruise across the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct on the Llangollen Canal, time in Llangollen, and a return train ride on the Llangollen Railway through the Dee Valley.
Day 8railovernight: Stonecross Manor, Kendal
Lake District
Train to Windermere Station, transfer to the Lakeside & Haverthwaite Railway for a cruise on Lake Windermere, the Lakeland Motor Museum, and a vintage train through the Leven Valley to Kendal.
Day 9overnight: Bridge of Orchy Hotel
West Highland Line to Bridge of Orchy
Journey north via the West Coast Mainline to Glasgow, then the West Highland Line skirting the Firth of Clyde, Loch Long, and Loch Lomond to Bridge of Orchy.
Day 10railovernight: Bridge of Orchy Hotel
Jacobite Steam Train
Transfer to Fort William for the Jacobite Steam Train to Mallaig over the Glenfinnan Viaduct, with time to explore Mallaig harbour.
Day 11overnight: Kingsmills Hotel, Inverness
Great Glen to Inverness
Road transfer through the Great Glen alongside Loch Ness to Inverness for a two-night stay.
Day 12overnight: Kingsmills Hotel, Inverness
John O'Groats
Travel north through Sutherland and Caithness to John O'Groats, followed by a Highlands distillery tour and tasting.
Day 13
Homeward Journey
After breakfast, we bid farewell to Inverness and make our way to the station for our homeward journeys.

The moments this trip is built around

Day 2Visit Land's End, the westernmost point of England, with a round trip via the fishing village of Mousehole.
Day 6The Welsh Highland Railway runs through Snowdonia to Porthmadog, followed by the Ffestiniog Railway to Blaenau Ffestiniog.
Day 7An aerial cruise across the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct on the Llangollen Canal, then a train ride on the Llangollen Railway through the Dee Valley.
Day 9The West Highland Line skirts the Firth of Clyde, Loch Long, and Loch Lomond on the way to Bridge of Orchy.
Day 10The Jacobite Steam Train runs from Fort William to Mallaig over the Glenfinnan Viaduct.

Included

12 nights bed, breakfast & evening meal
Services of experienced Railtrail Tour Manager
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

Questions travellers ask

How much does it cost?: From £3,549 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $4,794 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.
Is the train travel included?: Yes. Rail travel and seat reservations from your home station to Falmouth are included, alongside the six named scenic and heritage railways ridden during the tour, such as the Welsh Highland Railway and the Jacobite Steam Train.
Is it escorted?: Yes, an experienced Railtrail Tour Manager accompanies the group throughout.
Which hotels are used?: Six hotels across the route: the Royal Duchy Hotel in Falmouth (3 nights), DoubleTree by Hilton in Bristol (1 night), Queen Hotel in Chester (3 nights), Stonecross Manor in Kendal (1 night), Bridge of Orchy Hotel (2 nights), and Kingsmills Hotel in Inverness (2 nights).
Which named railways does the tour ride?: The Welsh Highland Railway, the Ffestiniog Railway, the Llangollen Railway, the Lakeside & Haverthwaite Railway, the West Highland Line, and the Jacobite Steam Train over the Glenfinnan Viaduct.
When does this tour run?: One departure is listed, in September 2027.