Rail Tours in England

England has a rich and proud heritage, dating back thousands of years. London, the capital city, boasts some spectacular sights, including iconic Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, Buckingham Palace, and the brooding and imposing Tower of London. Travelling out of the hustle and bustle of London, you see some more of what truly makes England great.

From ancient Stonehenge and Viking York, to the wild, desolate beauty of the Yorkshire Moors and the colourful houses and sandy beaches of the Cornish coast, there is a lot to see and do, much of it accessible from the comfort of England's fantastic railway network.

Thanks to its long history, England is a country of rich traditions, literature and music. One of its most famous exports is music, with bands such as The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and The Who flying the flag.

England also boasts of some of the best-known authors in the world, being the country of the famous Elizabethan playwright William Shakespeare, Victorian authors Charles Dickens and the Brontë sisters, and the author of the 'Harry Potter' series J. K. Rowling. On our 'Yorkshire & Northumberland' tour, you are able to see the parsonage where Anne, Emily, and Charlotte Brontë grew up, and visit Whitby Abbey, that was the inspiration for Bram Stoker's 'Dracula'.

Dispel myths of bland English food, and sample some of the best cuisine that the nation has to offer. Because of its multi-cultural heritage, England draws food inspiration from all over the world. You could go traditional, and enjoy a cosy pub lunch of roast beef and Yorkshire puddings or stroll along the beach eating hot fish and chips, smothered in salt and vinegar. Alternatively, you could venture further east, and enjoy a delicious Indian curry, from a mild and creamy korma to a blazing hot vindaloo, served with fragrant rice or fluffy, and often homemade, naan bread.

No matter what you eat, wash it down with some locally brewed beer, preferably in a typically English beer garden depending on the weather! England is renowned for its rich variety of beers and ales, deeply rooted in the country's culture and history, and available in many different styles and strengths.

If a full meal is too much, you are also able to indulge in the popular pastime of 'Afternoon tea'. This light repast, usually eaten in the late afternoon, consists of sandwiches, light cream cakes, and, of course, England's national drink, tea. One of the most famous places in England for this is Bettys tea rooms, which can be found in the elegant Yorkshire spa town of Harrogate.

Each region of England has its own peculiarities and local customs; one area where this is particularly distinct is in regional dishes. For example parmesan chicken, which is a street food adaptation of the Italian pollo parmigiana, is a favourite in a small area of North Yorkshire but even as little as fifty miles away is unheard of.

Tipping in England isn't mandatory, but it is appreciated. The standard tip in England can be between 10% and 15%, but if eating with a large group of people, the tip is sometimes added with the bill.

The accents in England are broad and varied, and can change dramatically within very few miles. There are around 30 distinct accents in England, that range from Cockney in London, to Geordie in the North East, and every accent comes with a different colloquial vocabulary.

England is a fairly reserved country, and the social culture rests upon politeness, good manners, and a sense of fair play. Mentioning anything about the weather is a good way to spark a conversation, but the English also have an excellent, if very particular, sense of humour.