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UK Short Breaks by Escorted Rail

With so many ideal holiday destinations on your doorstep, the United Kingdom is a fantastic place for a short break by rail. After all, the British Isles are packed with exciting towns and cities, a wealth of outstanding scenery and a rich cultural heritage. From the Cornish coast to the Shetland Islands, and from the Scottish Highlands to the Isle of Man and the Norfolk Broads, our UK short breaks are filled with places you "always wanted to visit" but never got around to.

Whether you'd like a brief getaway in the old-world city of Canterbury, or would prefer a short break amongst the rugged mountains of the Lake District, all of our UK short breaks all begin in towns and cities that are easily accessible by rail. So, you can leave the car behind and let the train take the strain, meaning that your holiday begins at your local station.

We explore every corner of the British Isles on our UK short breaks, and each individual place is filled with local myths, legends and attractions for you to explore. Naturally the included excursions differ according to the region visited, but they all give a wonderful insight into the area and cover the most famous sights - whether this is the magnificent York Minster, the fantastic castles along the North Wales coastline or the impressive SS Great Britain in Bristol Harbour.

Of course, our UK short breaks also all include some fantastic railway journeys. As well as some of the world's most scenic routes such as the West Highland Line, on our UK short breaks we also feature a number of classic heritage railways. We are proud to support these lines, most of which use restored steam engines and vintage rolling stock - allowing you to take a nostalgic trip back in time to relive the bygone age of the railway. Often these lines pass through some magnificent scenery and connect idyllic countryside villages along the way, which we take the time to visit.

Our UK short breaks by rail are simple, stress-free holidays, which represent superb value for money. With such a comprehensive and varied range of tours to choose from, you are bound to be drawn to our collection of UK short breaks by rail.

If you want to learn more about the stunning railways of the UK, discover Coastal Railways with Julie Walters. More information can be found here.

13 results matching: UK Short Breaks by Escorted Rail

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Vintage Railways of the Isle of Man
Save £50pp
4.7 stars(552 reviews)
2024JulAugSepOct
2025AprMayJunJulAug...
6 days from
£795 pp £745 pp
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6 days from
£795
£745
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  • DestinationEngland
  • Starts / EndsHeysham
  • AccommodationHotel
  • TransportRail, Coach
Map and accommodation
Highland Adventure
Save £50pp
4.2 stars(264 reviews)
2024JulSepOct
2025MarAprMayJunJul...
5 days from
£895 pp £845 pp
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5 days from
£895
£845
per person
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  • DestinationScotland
  • Starts / EndsInverness
  • AccommodationHotel
  • TransportRail, Coach
Map and accommodation
Edinburgh Tattoo
4.7 stars(6 reviews)
2024Aug
2025Aug
4 days from
£795 pp
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4 days from
£795
per person
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  • DestinationScotland
  • Starts / EndsDunblane
  • AccommodationHotel
  • TransportRail, Coach
Map and accommodation
Edinburgh Tattoo
4.2 stars(40 reviews)
Rail Discoveries
2024Aug
Rail Discoveries
4 days from
£649 pp £599 pp
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4 days from
£649
£599
per person
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  • DestinationScotland
  • Starts / EndsEdinburgh
  • AccommodationHotel
  • TransportRail, Coach
Map and accommodation
The Paignton & Dartmouth Steam Railway
Save £50pp
4.1 stars(79 reviews)
2024Oct
5 days from
£595 pp £545 pp
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5 days from
£595
£545
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  • DestinationEngland
  • Starts / EndsPaignton
  • AccommodationHotel
  • TransportRail, Coach
Map and accommodation
Castle Howard
Save £50pp
4.1 stars(37 reviews)
2024AugSepOct
2025AprMayJunAugSepOct
5 days from
£795 pp £745 pp
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5 days from
£795
£745
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  • DestinationEngland
  • Starts / EndsGuisborough, Gisborough
  • AccommodationHotel
  • TransportRail, Coach
Map and accommodation
Stonehenge
New Tour
2025MayJunJulAugSep
7 days from
£1,395 pp
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7 days from
£1,395
per person
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  • DestinationEngland
  • Starts / EndsSalisbury
  • AccommodationHotel
  • TransportRail
Map and accommodation
Worcester Cathedral
Rail Discoveries
2024AugOct
2025MayJunAugSepOct
Rail Discoveries
5 days from
£449 pp £399 pp
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5 days from
£449
£399
per person
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  • DestinationEngland
  • Starts / EndsWorcester
  • AccommodationHotel
  • TransportRail, Coach
Map and accommodation
The Highlands by Steam
Rail Discoveries
2024Sep
Rail Discoveries
6 days from
£899 pp £849 pp
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6 days from
£899
£849
per person
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  • DestinationScotland
  • Starts / EndsEdinburgh
  • AccommodationHotel
  • TransportRail, Coach
Map and accommodation
Lighthouse at the Needles
Rail Discoveries
2024Sep
2025AprJunJulAugSep
Rail Discoveries
5 days from
£599 pp £549 pp
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5 days from
£599
£549
per person
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  • DestinationEngland
  • Starts / EndsPortsmouth, Sandown / Portsmouth
  • AccommodationHotel
  • TransportRail, Coach
Map and accommodation
Norwich & Norfolk
No Single Supplement
Rail Discoveries
2024AugSepOct
2025AprMayJunJulAug...
Rail Discoveries
5 days from
£499 pp £449 pp
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No Single Supplement
5 days from
£499
£449
per person
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  • DestinationEngland
  • Starts / EndsNorwich
  • AccommodationHotel
  • TransportRail, Coach
Map and accommodation
The Peak District
Rail Discoveries
2024AugSepOct
Rail Discoveries
5 days from
£429 pp £379 pp
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5 days from
£429
£379
per person
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  • DestinationEngland
  • Starts / EndsDerby
  • AccommodationHotel
  • TransportRail, Coach
Map and accommodation
Our customers love our UK Short Breaks tours
Vintage Railways of the Isle of Man
1/Jul
Margaret Rose
5 stars
“A wonderful friendly island, amazing scenery, a vintage train at every turn and the Isle of Man T.T course. Great hotel.
Collected by Trustpilot
Highland Adventure
30/Jun
Peder
5 stars
“The tour was very well organized, and our guide Garth Long was very helpful and considerate of all in the group. There was quite a bit of coach traveling involved, the busses were modern and comfortable though, and they made it possible to visit the heritage railways not always close by. The Palace Hotel in Inverness was very nice, the staff friendly and the meals good. They even had haggis and black pudding, which I had to try, visiting Scotland for the first time. Against all odds I actually liked both ;-) The hotel has a very nice and spa and fitness with a large indoor swimming pool. It's free of charge and offers a nice opportunity to relax before dinner after a long 'on the rails'. The office staff of Great Rails has been very helpful in organizing the tour for us. We probably required a little more explanation of how things work, not being from the UK. Five stars to the sales office as well!
Collected by Trustpilot
Peebles, the Edinburgh Tattoo and Floors Castle
09 Sep 2023
J Urbanowski
5 stars
“Our trip with GRJ was excellent in every respect from dealing with the office staff, accommodation, meals provided, coach transport and the service of our Tour Manager.
Collected by Trustpilot
Edinburgh Tattoo and the Highlands
29 Aug 2023
B Derbyshire
5 stars
“First time on a trip like this, very well organised and very friendly
Collected by Trustpilot
Yorkshire Dales and Moors
26/Jun
Richard Castle
4 stars
“Great holiday but a little tiring
Collected by Trustpilot
South Devon, Dartmouth, and The English Riviera
16/Jun
K Wilson
4 stars
“Excellent itinerary and nothing was too much trouble at any hour for our tour guide, Colin. Well done, Colin
Collected by Trustpilot
Royal Deeside and Glamis Castle
07 Aug 2023
Diana Clarke
4 stars
“Enjoyable trip Not impressed with not getting final holiday details until a week before going Great tour manager David Indge who was very kind and helpful Loved the Highland cattle visit
Collected by Trustpilot