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Discover England's Heritage

A captivating history on an unforgettable journey

from £1,250 per person*

Great Little Breaks
  • 5 nights bed and full English breakfast
  • London West End show - BAND A (top price standard tickets)
  • A Thames river cruise
  • Tickets to the Tower of London
  • Tickets to Windsor Castle
  • Tickets to Blenheim Palace with Afternoon Tea
From £1250 per person*

or

Call: 01905 793 888

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All our tours are customisable

Our well-travelled team can customise the itineraries to suit you, taking care of all rail tickets, attractions and hotel accommodation arrangements as you need.

Summary:

D iscover the charm of England on a flexible, self-guided rail journey through London, Windsor, Oxford and Blenheim Palace. Travel in comfort by train as you enjoy scenic views and stress-free connections between each destination. Begin in the capital with a West End show and iconic sights like Buckingham Palace and the Tower of London. Explore royal Windsor and Oxford's historic streets before arriving at Blenheim Palace, where a traditional afternoon tea awaits. A perfect blend of culture, history and relaxation - without the hassle of driving.

heritage rail tour

Day 1:

Arrive in London

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  • Hotel: Crowne Plaza at King's Cross

As you arrive in the capital, settle into the Crowne Plaza at King's Cross central London, and ease into your adventure with a West End show in the evening.

Day 2:

London’s Royal Heritage

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  • Hotel: Crowne Plaza at King's Cross
Start your day at the hotel before stepping out to explore the city. Why not snap some pictures by at Buckingham Palace, then hop on a river cruise to Tower Pier and uncover the fascinating history of the Tower of London – home to the legendary Crown Jewels before heading back to the hotel.

Day 3:

Windsor Castle’s Majesty

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  • Hotel: Crowne Plaza at King's Cross
Take a 53-minute train ride to Windsor, stroll the magnificent Windsor Castle, explore the state apartments, and soak in the atmosphere. Return to London by train for another memorable night in the capital.

Day 4:

Explore Oxford’s Treasures

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  • Hotel: Mercure Eastgate Hotel
Board a train from London and embark on a 52-minute journey to Oxford and explore the city of spires. Known as the seat of scholars, there’s plenty of old English charm to discover before heading to the 4-star Mercure Eastgate hotel.

Day 5:

Blenheim Palace’s Grandeur

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  • Hotel: Mercure Eastgate Hotel
After breakfast, head to Blenheim Palace, the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Blenheim Palace is home to stunning grounds, fascinating stories and educational exhibits. During your visit, enjoy a delicious afternoon tea before heading back to your hotel.

Day 6:

Departure

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As your journey through the past comes to a close, take the train back home from Oxford after breakfast – don’t forget to pick up any souvenirs before you go!

Where you’ll stay:

In London, relax at the Crowne Plaza at King's Cross, offering modern comforts and easy access to the capital's sights, theatres and green spaces. Then, continue your break in Oxford at the Mercure Oxford Eastgate Hotel - a charming 17th-century townhouse combining class elegance with contemporary style, just a short walk from the city's attractions.

OR

Call 01905 793 888 to Book

Hotel Details

Crowne Plaza Hotel (Day 1, 2 & 3)

Crowne Plaza London King's Cross is a stylish, modern hotel perfectly located for exploring central London. Just a short walk from St Pancras and Farringdon stations, it offers easy access to the West End, Covent Garden and the British Museum.
  • 3 nights' accommodation in a double room on days 1, 2 & 3
  • Breakfast daily
  • Check-in 3pm / check-out 11am
  • Free WiFi throughout the hotel
  • Room service
  • The hotel has a lift
Mercure Oxford Eastgate Hotel (Day 4 & 5)

Located in the heart of Oxford, Mercure Oxford Eastgate Hotel is a 10-minute walk from Bodleian Library and the Bridge of Sighs. This 4-star hotel features complimentary wi-fi, digital TVs and private bathrooms in the rooms as well as Mediterranean cuisine in the Keeper's Kitchen and Bar.
  • 2 nights' accommodation on days 4 & 5
  • Breakfast daily
  • Check-in 2pm / check-out 12pm
  • Express check in
  • High Speed WiFi

Why we love this:

  • West End Show: Travel into the heart of London by rail and spend an unforgettable evening at a top West End theatre. Choose from a selection of must-see performances (alternative shows available, supplement TBC.)
  • Thames River Cruise: Enjoy a one-way hop on hop off cruise along the Thames, offering stunning riverside views of some of London's most iconic landmarks
  • Tower of London: Discover the rich and sometimes dark history of the Tower, home to the Crown Jewels and centuries of royal intrigue
  • Windsor Castle: Journey by train to the regal town of Windsor and explore one of the King's official residences, including the magnificent State Apartments and historic chapel
  • Blenheim Palace and Afternoon Tea: Enjoy a scenic rail route to this UNESCO World Heritage Site, the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill. Then, indulge in a traditional afternoon tea in an unforgettable setting
  • Explore Oxford: Let the train whisk you to the university city of Oxford, where you can stroll the golden-stone streets, soak up the academic atmosphere and discover architectural gems

Good to know:

  • The West End is just a 15-minute walk from the hotel - perfect for an evening at the theatre after a day of stress-free rail travel
  • You'll have a selection of popular West End shows to choose from. Prefer something different? Alternative options are available for a supplement (TBC)
  • The Thames is a 10-minute walk from your hotel, offering easy access to riverside attractions and your Hop on Hop off river cruise - this is a one-way journey, with flexible boarding throughout the day
  • Board a scenic river cruise at Westminster Pier and glide along the Thames to Tower Pier, just steps from the iconic Tower of London, where you can explore centuries of royal history, including the Crown Jewels.
  • Just a 20-minute stroll brings you to the London Eye, offering panoramic views across the capital
  • On your Oxford day, Blenheim is easily reached by a short bus journey from Oxford city centre (S3 service), alternatively weekend arrivals through the summer can jump on the train to Hanborough and take advantage of the free shuttle bus to Blenheim (operating during high summer until August bank holiday, weekends only)
  • Your hotels are well-positioned for easy travel, with major attractions, transport links, and city highlights all within reach

Please note:

This is a sample itinerary – customise your unescorted tour to fit your interests, schedule and preferences. Happy travels!

This package is non-refundable once booked.

*Prices based on 19th July 2025 and includes train travel on GWR from Cardiff to London, and Oxford to Cardiff. Other departure points are available, Great Little Breaks has access to the entire UK rail network so we can customise to suit your needs.

The from price includes return train travel from Cardiff to London outbound and Oxford to Cardiff inbound

At Great Little Breaks, we offer a range of hotels throughout London - please ask our friendly customer service team know if you would like them to look at alternative accommodation options!

*We advise you to pre-book your dinner reservations with the hotels directly, once your booking has been confirmed, to avoid disappointment.

All our rail tours can be customised to meet your requirements, this itinerary is a suggestion designed to give you inspiration for travel to some of the UK's best heritage destinations. If you would like to amend the attractions, change dates, departure points and length of stays then please give our friendly customer service team a call, or detail your requirements in the enquiry form - we can't wait to work with you on your plans.

A final confirmation and all tickets will be sent out to you 7 days prior to arrival.

All tickets have been sourced via a trusted partner of Great Little Breaks.

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