How much does it cost?

From £599 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $809 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.

Is train travel included?

Yes. The tour includes Standard Class rail travel on three heritage railways: the Swanage Railway, Exbury Steam Railway, and Mid Hants Watercress Line. All rail, coach, and boat travel is included in the price.

Is this an escorted tour?

Yes. Great Rail Journeys provides a UK Tour Manager with the group from start to finish. Days include guided tours and excursions, though some destinations have independent exploration time.

When does the tour run?

Great Rail Journeys does not publish specific departure dates in the available information. Contact the operator directly to confirm availability.

Great Rail Journeys · Escorted tour

The Jurassic Coast & New Forest

Dorset and Hampshire heritage railways from Bournemouth in five days

Great Rail Journeys runs this five-day escorted tour, based in the coastal town of Bournemouth, exploring Dorset and Hampshire by heritage steam railways, boat, and coach. The tour begins with independent arrival at the four-star Hermitage Hotel, where you stay all four nights. On Day 2, you sail from Poole Quay past Old Harry Rocks and Studland Bay to Swanage, then ride the Swanage Railway steam train to Corfe Castle, a 1,000-year-old fortress. Day 3 takes you to Exbury Gardens, where the Rhododendron Line steam railway meanders through the gardens and around Dragonfly Pond, followed by a visit to Beaulieu Motor Museum. Day 4 features a coach journey to Alton, with independent time to explore Georgian architecture, then a ride on the Mid Hants Watercress Line through Hampshire countryside. A UK Tour Manager accompanies the group throughout, breakfast and dinner are included daily, and all transport is arranged. This suits repeat rail travellers, history enthusiasts, and those seeking guided comfort without complicated logistics.

Price history

Across 5 checks, this price has risen £120 since 4 Jul, to £599.

Each point is a day we checked this operator's own page, not a weekly average, and the line holds flat between checks rather than guessing at movement we did not see. 3 of 5 points are a live read of the operator's page. Hollow points are values shown when the trip was first listed here and never confirmed with the operator.

What to know before you look closer

The maximum group size is 40 people; confirm final group size when booking.
Heritage steam trains may substitute diesel locomotives on some days.
Day 5 is checkout and departure; no activities are scheduled.

Day by day

Day 1overnight: Bournemouth (Hermitage Hotel)
Arriving by the sandy shores of Bournemouth
Arrive independently at the four-star hotel in Bournemouth, with check-in from 2pm and the rest of the afternoon free to explore the seaside resort, beach and city centre. Meet the Tour Manager ahead of dinner this evening.
Day 2railovernight: Bournemouth
The nostalgic Swanage Railway to battle-worn Corfe Castle
A short coach transfer to Poole Quay for a boat trip to Swanage, passing Brownsea Island, Studland Bay and the white chalk cliffs of Old Harry Rocks. After free time for lunch, join the Swanage Railway, a heritage rail journey through the Isle of Purbeck countryside to Corfe Castle, exploring its 1,000-year-old ruins at leisure before returning to Bournemouth by coach for dinner.
Day 3railovernight: Bournemouth
Exbury Gardens' beautiful steam railway and Beaulieu Motor Museum
Coach to the New Forest to explore Exbury Gardens and its Rothschild collection of rhododendrons and azaleas, riding the Exbury steam railway (Rhododendron Line) around the gardens and Dragonfly Pond. In the afternoon, visit the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu, with Palace House and gardens also on the estate, before returning to the hotel for dinner.
Day 4railovernight: Bournemouth
Historic Hampshire towns on the heritage Watercress Line
Coach into Hampshire to the market town of Alton, with time to explore its Georgian architecture and St Lawrence Church. Board the Mid Hants Railway (Watercress Line), a steam-hauled heritage railway through ten miles of countryside to Alresford, then continue by coach to historic Christchurch with its 11th-century priory, before returning to the hotel for the final group dinner.
Day 5
Homeward bound
The holiday comes to an end after breakfast; check out of the Bournemouth hotel and make your way home or continue exploring the Jurassic Coast and New Forest independently.

The moments this trip is built around

Day 2Boat trip from Poole Quay to Swanage, passing Brownsea Island, Studland Bay, and the white chalk cliffs of Old Harry Rocks.
Day 2Journey on the Swanage Railway, a heritage steam train, from Swanage to Corfe Castle.
Day 3Ride the Exbury Steam Railway, also called the Rhododendron Line, through Exbury Gardens, circling Dragonfly Pond from a replica Victorian station.
Day 4Travel on the Mid Hants Railway (Watercress Line), a steam-hauled heritage railway through ten miles of Hampshire countryside from Alton to New Alresford.

Included

Expertise of a UK Tour Manager from start to finish
4 nights' 4-Star hotel accommodation
Standard Class rail travel
All rail, cruise and coach travel throughout your tour
Breakfast and dinner each day
All guided tours and excursions

Not included

Cancellation & Travel Insurance is not included in the price of the tour

Questions travellers ask

How much does it cost?: From £599 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $809 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.
Is train travel included?: Yes. The tour includes Standard Class rail travel on three heritage railways: the Swanage Railway, Exbury Steam Railway, and Mid Hants Watercress Line. All rail, coach, and boat travel is included in the price.
Is this an escorted tour?: Yes. Great Rail Journeys provides a UK Tour Manager with the group from start to finish. Days include guided tours and excursions, though some destinations have independent exploration time.
When does the tour run?: Great Rail Journeys does not publish specific departure dates in the available information. Contact the operator directly to confirm availability.