Cotswolds & The Severn Valley

Your holiday begins on arrival at your hotel in Worcester, conveniently located next to the train station. After meeting the Tour Manager and fellow travellers, there's time to explore at leisure.

Worcester is a medieval city filled with history and surrounded by idyllic countryside, including the rolling hills and quaint villages of the Malverns. Due to its position on the banks of the broad River Severn, Worcester has enjoyed great importance since Roman times. The city became wealthy in the Middle Ages due to the cloth trade and was famed for its glove-making - but today Worcester has become synonymous with porcelain and lays claim to being one of the oldest centres of porcelain production in the country.

This evening, we regroup in our hotel to enjoy our first dinner together.

• Dinner

After breakfast this morning, we transfer by coach to the pretty Shropshire town of Bridgnorth, where there is time to explore at leisure. The River Severn splits the town into two parts, the High Town and the Low Town.

You could take a trip on the Bridgnorth Cliff Railway, one of the steepest funiculars in England with a maximum gradient of 64%. Founded in 1101, Bridgnorth Castle suffered severe damage during the English Civil War and the results of the long siege can be seen in the remains of its great tower, with a lean four times that of Pisa's famous tower.

After time to lunch independently, we join the Severn Valley Railway for a beautiful 16-mile journey following the winding path of the River Severn, with views of remote valleys that can only be seen by rail. A highlight of the trip is crossing the 200-foot Victoria Bridge, where we can enjoy excellent river views. On arrival in Kidderminster, there is free time before travelling back to Worcester by coach to enjoy a three-course dinner at our hotel this evening.

*Trains are steam-hauled where possible, however due to timetable changes or weather conditions, heritage diesel locomotives may be running instead.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Today we head deep into the beautiful Cotswolds after breakfast, travelling by coach to Broadway. This pretty village is named the 'Jewel of the Cotswolds', and there is time at leisure to discover its lovely High Street. Admire the horse chestnut trees, its blend of period houses and picturesque Cotswold stone cottages.

Heading to the station, we board the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway for an atmospheric journey showcasing the area's spectacular scenery and views of the Vale of Evesham on the way to Cheltenham. There is free time over lunch to enjoy this delightful spa town's wide choice of popular cafés, restaurants and street food. Known for its Regency architecture, you could also seek out one of the many beautiful parks in the town and spend the afternoon relaxing.

Later in the afternoon, we return by coach to our hotel where there is time to relax before a three-course dinner this evening.

*Trains are steam-hauled where possible, however due to timetable changes or weather conditions, heritage diesel locomotives may be running instead.

• Breakfast, Dinner

A guided walking tour reveals the sights of Worcester today as we head out after a leisurely breakfast. With our guide, we take in the city's many excellent attractions, including the timber-framed Tudor buildings that line the old streets and the magnificent cathedral.

Situated on the banks of the River Severn, this Anglican cathedral dates from the early medieval era and showcases an eclectic blend of architectural styles, from Gothic to Norman. Worcester has long been an important religious city and the chancel contains the tomb of King John, the monarch who drew up the Magna Carta in 1215. The cathedral was also spared total destruction during the Reformation because it was the sight of a memorial to Henry VIII's brother, Arthur.

With some time at leisure after the tour, you can get to know the city at your own pace. You could stop for an afternoon tea, enjoy shopping in the many boutiques or visit the Museum of Royal Worcester to see the famous Worcester porcelain. This evening, we regroup at our hotel for our final dinner together.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Our exploration of the Cotswolds comes to an end after breakfast this morning. Once you've checked out and said goodbye to your group, you are free to make your way home or continue exploring the beautiful surrounding area on your own.

Leaving Worcester, you can look back at the charming sights we have explored in this picturesque part of England. From this historic city and its attractive streets, we uncovered the Cotswolds, from idyllic Broadway to elegant Cheltenham on the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway. The Severn Valley Railway also showcased picture-perfect landscapes as we followed the river from the market town of Bridgnorth to Kidderminster. With rolling hills and winding valleys, we have experienced some of the most quintessentially English landscapes and take away some wonderful memories with us.

• Breakfast