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Vacations By Rail · Escorted small-group tour

Premium England and Scotland

Seven-day royal heritage tour London to Edinburgh by First Class rail

Illustration of Premium England and Scotland

Vacations By Rail leads this seven-day escorted tour through Britain's royal heritage, from London to Edinburgh by First Class train. You stay in five-star Rocco Forte hotels, where a Tour Manager guides your small group of up to 24 travelers through palaces, castles, and royal residences. Day 2 brings the Tower of London's opening ceremony and the Crown Jewels, followed by a private talk from Paul Burrell RVM, Princess Diana's former butler. Day 3 explores Windsor Castle and St. George's Chapel with quintessential afternoon tea. The journey north on Day 4 by First Class rail delivers you to Edinburgh, where you enjoy exclusive early morning access to the Palace of Holyroodhouse, tour Edinburgh Castle and the Royal Yacht Britannia, and conclude with a gala dinner overlooking the castle. All guided tours, most meals, and rail and coach travel are included; flights are separate.

What to know before you look closer

  • Flights to and from London are not included in the from-price of $6,999.
  • The group size can reach 24 travelers, so this is not an intimate small-group experience.
  • Day 7 offers optional independent exploration after breakfast; there is no guided activity on the final day.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: London

    Arrival in London, home to the British Royal Family

    Arrive in London and transfer to the five-star Mayfair hotel, meeting the Tour Manager and group for drinks and dinner in a private dining room.

  2. Day 2overnight: London

    The Tower of London, Kensington Palace and a special guest

    Witness the Tower of London's opening ceremony and view the Crown Jewels, visit Kensington Palace, then an evening talk by Paul Burrell RVM, former butler to Princess Diana.

  3. Day 3overnight: London

    Windsor Castle and a quintessentially British afternoon tea

    Free time to explore Windsor Castle's State Apartments and St. George's Chapel, then an award-winning afternoon tea at the hotel, with a free evening.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Edinburgh

    Westminster Abbey and traveling in First Class to Edinburgh

    A guided tour of Westminster Abbey, then a First Class train from King's Cross to Edinburgh, checking into the hotel next to the station.

  5. Day 5overnight: Edinburgh

    Holyroodhouse, Edinburgh Castle & a Taste of Scotland dinner

    An exclusive private tour of the Palace of Holyroodhouse before public opening, a visit to Edinburgh Castle, and a Taste of Scotland dinner with a royal historian.

  6. Day 6overnight: Edinburgh

    Stirling Castle, Royal Yacht Britannia & a special gala dinner

    Free exploration of Stirling Castle, a tour of the Royal Yacht Britannia, and an evening gala dinner overlooking Edinburgh's skyline with a bagpiper.

  7. Day 7

    Traveling home

    Transfer to the airport for your flight home after breakfast, or continue your explorations.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Witness the Tower of London's opening ceremony and view the Crown Jewels, then hear an evening talk by Paul Burrell RVM, former butler to Princess Diana.
  • Day 3Explore Windsor Castle's State Apartments and St. George's Chapel, followed by an award-winning afternoon tea at the hotel.
  • Day 4Travel First Class by train from London King's Cross to Edinburgh, passing through the English and Scottish countryside.
  • Day 5Enjoy exclusive private access to the Palace of Holyroodhouse before it opens to the public, then visit Edinburgh Castle and dine with a royal historian.
  • Day 6Tour the Royal Yacht Britannia and attend a gala dinner overlooking Edinburgh's skyline with a bagpiper performing.

Included

  • Expertise of a Tour Manager from start to finish
  • 6 nights' 5-Star hotel accommodation
  • First Class rail travel
  • All rail and coach travel throughout your tour
  • Breakfast each day, 5 dinners
  • Group luggage transfers between all hotels
  • Small Group - max group size of 24
  • All guided tours and excursions

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance
  • Flights

Questions travellers ask

Is rail travel included?
Yes. First Class train travel from London King's Cross to Edinburgh is included, along with all coach transfers.
Is this tour guided or independent?
It is fully escorted. A Tour Manager travels with the group from start to finish, and all tours and excursions are guided.
What hotels are included?
Brown's Hotel, a Rocco Forte Hotel in London (3 nights), and The Balmoral Hotel, a Rocco Forte Hotel in Edinburgh (3 nights).
What meals are included?
Breakfast each day and five dinners are included. Lunch on Days 1 and 7 are not included.
How much walking is involved?
The tour is rated Mobility Level 2, involving city walking tours, stairs, and visits to palaces and castles. Luggage transfers between hotels are handled by the operator.
When does this tour run?
The operator has not published specific departure dates in the available information. Contact Vacations By Rail directly to confirm available dates.

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