Search

The Railway Touring Company · Escorted rail holiday

The Southern Seasider - August 2026

Eight-day escorted heritage railway tour of southern England from Brighton

Illustration of The Southern Seasider - August 2026

The Railway Touring Company's Southern Seasider is an eight-day escorted holiday through southern England that centers on heritage railways and maritime history. Based in Brighton for three nights and Portsmouth for four, the tour departs London Victoria in First Class on Day 1 and returns the same way on Day 8. In between, guests ride seven different heritage railways including the Bluebell Railway's steam trains through Sussex woodland, the Isle of Wight Steam Railway across the Solent, and the Swanage Railway through Dorset countryside. Daytime highlights include a visit to the Battle of Hastings site and ruins, Portsmouth Historic Dockyard with the Mary Rose Museum and HMS Victory, Corfe Castle, and a wine-and-cheese tour at a Sussex vineyard focused on English sparkling wine. Day 4 offers free time in Brighton for independent exploration of the Royal Pavilion, Palace Pier, or the Lanes shopping district. A Tour Manager accompanies the group throughout, and all accommodation, meals, transport and entry fees are included. The pace is relaxed, with long stays in each base town, making it suitable for travellers who want escorted comfort and guided access to England's heritage railways without rushing between locations.

What to know before you look closer

  • Only one departure confirmed: August 2026. Verify future availability with The Railway Touring Company.
  • The Ground Only price (£1,725) excludes First Class rail travel from London Victoria; the Standard price (£1,825) includes return First Class rail.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Brighton

    First Class rail travel from London to Brighton

    Morning departure from London Victoria in First Class to Brighton, then coach transfer to the hotel. Afternoon exploring Brighton with a trip on the Volk's Electric Railway (operating since 1883). Dinner at the hotel.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Brighton

    The Lavender Line, Bluebell Railway and Bluebell Vineyard

    Coach to Isfield Station for a return trip on The Lavender Line, then to The Bluebell Railway at Sheffield Park Station for a steam departure and time in the museum, followed by a Wine and Cheese Tour and Tasting at a Sussex Vineyard, learning how English Sparkling Wine is made.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Brighton

    1066 Battle of Hastings and Romney Hythe and Dymchurch Railway

    A visit to the Battle of Hastings site, Abbey ruins and Visitor Centre, then the Romney Hythe and Dymchurch Railway, in operation since 1927, travelling its one-third full size steam and diesel locomotives from Hythe to Dungeness.

  4. Day 4overnight: Portsmouth

    Free morning in Brighton and The Watercress Line

    A free morning to explore Brighton (the Royal Pavilion, Palace Pier, Museum and Art Gallery, or The Lanes), then a coach to Alresford for a return trip on The Watercress Line through the Hampshire countryside, followed by transfer to Portsmouth.

  5. Day 5overnight: Portsmouth

    Visit to Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, Mary Rose Museum

    An Explorer Pass to Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, home to the Mary Rose Museum, HMS Warrior and HMS Victory, with free time afterwards to explore Portsmouth, including the Spinnaker Tower.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Portsmouth

    Ferry to the Isle of Wight and the Isle of Wight Steam Railway

    Ferry across the Solent to Ryde, train to Shanklin with time to explore, then on to Smallbrook Junction for a steam excursion on the Isle of Wight Steam Railway via Havenstreet, before returning to Ryde and Portsmouth by ferry.

  7. Day 7railovernight: Portsmouth

    Corfe Castle and The Swanage Railway

    A visit to Corfe Castle, over a thousand years old, then a walk to Corfe Railway Station to join the Swanage Railway through the Dorset countryside to Swanage, with time to explore and have lunch.

  8. Day 8rail

    First Class rail travel from Portsmouth to London

    Coach to Portsmouth Railway Station for the return First Class journey to London Victoria, arriving early afternoon.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Afternoon ride on Volk's Electric Railway along Brighton seafront, in operation since 1883.
  • Day 2A wine and cheese tour and tasting at a Sussex vineyard, learning how English sparkling wine is made.
  • Day 3Visit the Battle of Hastings site, Abbey ruins and Visitor Centre, then travel on the Romney Hythe and Dymchurch Railway's one-third full-size steam and diesel locomotives from Hythe to Dungeness.
  • Day 6Ferry across the Solent to the Isle of Wight, then a steam excursion on the Isle of Wight Steam Railway via Havenstreet.
  • Day 7Walk to Corfe Railway Station and join the Swanage Railway through Dorset countryside to Swanage, with time to explore and lunch.

Included

  • First Class Rail Travel from London to Brighton / Portsmouth to London
  • 7 nights hotel accommodation
  • 7 Breakfasts
  • 7 Dinners
  • All visits, train, ferry and coach travel as detailed in the itinerary
  • The services of a Tour Manager

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
The Standard package (£1,825) includes First Class rail travel from London Victoria to Brighton and return from Portsmouth to London. Seven heritage railway and scenic train journeys are also included as part of the itinerary. The Ground Only option (£1,725) excludes the London rail travel.
Is the tour escorted?
Yes. The Railway Touring Company provides a Tour Manager throughout the eight days.
What is included in the price?
First Class rail from London (Standard package only), seven nights of hotel accommodation, seven breakfasts and seven dinners, all visits and heritage railway rides, ferry and coach travel, and the Tour Manager's services.
Where does the tour stay?
Three nights in Brighton and four nights in Portsmouth.
How many heritage railways are featured?
Seven: Volk's Electric Railway, The Lavender Line, The Bluebell Railway, Romney Hythe and Dymchurch Railway, The Watercress Line, Isle of Wight Steam Railway, and Swanage Railway.
When does the tour run?
The confirmed departure is August 2026.

Similar journeys