Great Rail Journeys
Isle of Wight
6 daysfrom $907
The Railway Touring Company · Escorted rail holiday
The Southern Seasider - August 2026
An 8-day escorted holiday through southern England based in Brighton and Portsmouth, riding the Lavender Line, Bluebell Railway, Watercress Line, Isle of Wight Steam Railway and Swanage Railway.
Day by day
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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
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