Travel bucket list idea:
Photo Belmond
Steeped in the glamour of rail travel’s golden age, the vintage British Pullman train harks back to the roaring 1920s, with wood-panelled lounge cars, retro upholstery and liveried waiters serving Champagne and canapés.
Sister train to the Orient Express, the Pullman operates a variety of themed tours, visiting famous British cities and attractions (Bath, Bristol, Oxford, Highclere Castle, Sissinghurst, Chatsworth House & more) – a great way to tick off two bucket list experiences at once. Or you can simply go on a tour of the countryside while enjoying a Champagne afternoon tea.
Woodstock, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom (UK)
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One of Britain’s greatest country houses, and the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill, Blenheim boasts 300 years of history in a spectacular setting.
Adult price: £32
Best for ages 13+
Bakewell, Derbyshire, United Kingdom (UK)
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One of England’s most imposing stately homes, 17th century Chatsworth House is a treasure trove of art and antiques. It’s surrounded by beautifully-landscaped gardens, including a playground and farmyard for kids.
Adult price: £29
Best for ages 8+
Newbury, Berkshire, United Kingdom (UK)
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A magnificent 17th-century country house, made famous as the setting for the TV series Downton Abbey.
Adult price: £24
Best for ages 13+
Duration: 3 hours
Woking, Surrey, United Kingdom (UK)
A beautiful 240-acre garden, operated by the Royal Horticultural Society, is one of Britain’s best.
Adult price: £18
Best for ages 18+
Great Milton, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom (UK)
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One of the UK’s premier culinary experiences – a unique opportunity to cook in Raymond Blanc’s world-famous kitchen, in a glorious English manor house setting.
Adult price: £205
Min age 13
Best for ages 13+
Duration: Half - full day
When: Most days, all year
Frequency: daily
All journeys – including all the circular day trips – depart from London Victoria. For a slightly higher fee, you can be pulled by steam locomotive (look out for the ‘Golden Age of Travel by Steam’ experience on the website).
Journeys are listed on the website for online booking; there are limited departures, so you need to book weeks, if not months, ahead. Dress smartly for the occasion – no jeans or trainers are permitted; this experience isn’t recommended for children.
Different themed trips and destinations are available at selected dates throughout the year – see the website for listings and dates.
Destination guides including or relevant to this experience
Greater London, United Kingdom (UK)
World-class culture, fashion, music, food and history – and a mind-boggling array of bucket list experiences – packed into one extraordinary, incomparable destination.
Somerset, United Kingdom (UK)
A lovely west country city of world-class Georgian architecture, ancient and modern spas, and an atmosphere of romance and refinement.
United Kingdom (UK)
Bristol is the beating heart of the UK’s South West, with an offbeat focus on culture and the arts plus interactive history, a cutting-edge independent food scene and street eats all on offer.
Oxfordshire, United Kingdom (UK)
One of Britain’s most beautiful and historic cities, graced by heartstopping architecture and home to the world’s second-oldest university.
Round-ups that include this experience
Multiple countries
Be it jaw-dropping scenery, a rich historical significance, the tradition and atmosphere of the train itself – or a combination of all three – here’s our round-up of the world’s best.
