This relaxing holiday explores Norfolk’s coastal towns, unspoilt nature and nostalgic steam trains from a medieval hotel nestled in the heart of historic Norwich

Your holiday begins in the cathedral city of Norwich, the historic capital of Norfolk, where you meet the Tour Manager at our hotel. After checking in, you're free to enjoy some time to explore the city at your own pace. 

  Wander the city's medieval cobbled streets and admire the architecture from across the ages. With Iron Age and Anglo-Saxon roots, Norwich boasts a rich blend of half-timbered houses, Georgian and Victorian terraces, and medieval buildings. The River Wensum flows through the city centre and leads to the Romanesque castle, constructed under order from William the Conqueror after the Norman conquest.   

Norwich's Cathedral Quarter is home to a bustling marketplace, while the Art Nouveau Royal Arcade offers charming independent shops. The city also enjoys a vibrant arts scene and rich literary heritage. This evening, we gather at the hotel for our first three-course dinner of the holiday. 

After breakfast, we set off on a guided tour of Norwich, uncovering the city's unique culture and warm, inviting atmosphere. Wandering through the Old Town, we uncover layers of the city's rich and captivating past, each corner echoing with stories. Rising above it all, the imposing Anglo-Norman cathedral commands the skyline, its stonework glowing with centuries of history. Along winding streets and sunlit squares, a tapestry of treasures unfolds in intriguing museums, ancient medieval churches, and serene public gardens, each offering a glimpse into the city's enduring charm.

  In the afternoon, we travel by coach to Cley Marshes, one of the oldest nature reserves in the country. We encounter the beauty of these popular coastal wetlands and hear an expert talk about the species of birds living in the area. Afterwards, you are free to wander along the trails and find a hide to spot the birds on your own before we return to the hotel. 

You are at leisure to dine independently tonight and Norwich has a great selection of restaurants to choose from.

Today, we journey by rail on the Bittern Line to Sheringham, a traditional seaside town on the Deep History Coast, where there's time to wander along the colourful promenade or enjoy lunch with a coastal view.  

  Meeting at the station, we join the heritage North Norfolk Railway on a picturesque, steam-hauled journey to Holt. This famous route is known as the 'Poppy Line' thanks to the vibrant red flowers lining the route in summer. From our vintage carriage, we admire sweeping views of the coastline, heathland and rolling hills. 

From Holt, a coach takes us to Sandringham, once a favourite residence of the late Queen Elizabeth II and now a cherished retreat to King Charles III and Queen Camilla. The magnificent estate gives us a fascinating insight into the heritage and lifestyle of the royal family, and inside the house, the décor and furniture have remained the same since Edwardian times. There's plenty of time to explore Sandringham's opulent interiors or wander the acres of beautifully landscaped gardens before we return to our hotel, where the rest of the day is at leisure.

Making the most of our final full day, we discover Norfolk by heritage railway - after heading to Dereham by coach, we join the Mid-Norfolk Railway on its full journey through the picturesque countryside to Wymondham*.    

From Wymondham, we continue by coach to Aylsham, an unspoilt market town where we board the Bure Valley Railway. Following the meandering River Bure through the Bure Valley, we pass the serene meadows, historic pastures and idyllic villages of the Broadland region.      

On arrival in Wroxham, we drive the short distance to Horning for a unique experience - cruising into beautiful Norfolk scenery aboard a Mississippi paddle boat. Sailing along the Norfolk Broads, we admire the celebrated landscapes and wildlife. With light refreshments available on the boat, this is a scenic and relaxing way to spend our final afternoon. We are then driven back to our hotel with time to refresh before we enjoy a farewell dinner.   

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

While based in the historic city of Norwich, we have discovered some of the most beautiful attractions and features of the Norfolk region. From the magnificent gardens of Sandringham to the Cley Marshes, timeless Sheringham to the serene Norfolk Broads, each destination has provided a new perspective. All these experiences were paired with rides aboard Norfolk's heritage railways to create a truly memorable holiday.   

After a final breakfast, we check out of the hotel and you are free to begin your journey homewards or continue exploring more of Norwich and Norfolk at your own pace.  

Please note that while every departure of this tour will feature the same excursions, the order may differ from that shown above.

Our Classic range is what we're known for. Enjoy curated moments with plenty of inclusions. Centrally located hotels, premium travel options and engaging group tours with a seasoned expert are included. You'll be in groups with an average of 20-25 travellers and a maximum of 30*. *Scandinavian and Worldwide tours are on average 30-35 and a maximum of 40.

Running for nine miles through the picturesque Norfolk countryside, the route travels between the ancient market town of Aylsham and Wroxham, the 'Capital of the Norfolk Broads', with country stations serving the villages of Brampton, Buxton and Coltishall. Throughout, passengers can savour views of the picturesque countryside as the heritage railway follows the meandering river through meadowland and ancient pasture, stopping occasionally at small country villages.

What better way to discover the idyllic countryside of Norfolk than from the comfortable carriages of the Mid-Norfolk Railway? Covering 11 miles of Norfolk's classic British countryside, this enchanting railway covers some truly beautiful countryside as it curls through forests and meadows between Wymondham and Dereham. Timeless and endearing, the Mid-Norfolk Railway rediscovers the subtle majesty of the Great British outdoors. A variety of heritage railway societies operate on this line, many of which organise heritage train runs and preserve the track for all the passengers who travel on it. The track itself dates all the way back to the 1840s, and many of the stations reflect that time period, hailing from a time where rail travel was king.

The surviving section of the North Norfolk Railway was originally built by the Eastern & Midlands Railway. Trains began to run in 1887, and the route saw very little change for its first half century, before it closed in 1964. Residents believed that the idyllic scenery of the Norfolk Broads would ensure that many visitors would also use the line and, in 1976, it reopened as a heritage line and proved very popular. Soon, it was given the nickname the Poppy Line, thanks to the many flowers the line passes on its scenic route - and this pretty line continues to go from strength to strength.

This historic 4-Star hotel claims to be the oldest hotel in the UK, as the site has been continuously used for hospitality since the mid-1090s, with the oldest parts of the hotel dating to the 15th century. Here, fascinating history and charming period features are blended with contemporary elegance and modern comforts to create a welcoming and unique experience. Guests can sample local flavours at the 2 AA Rosette WinePress Restaurant or enjoy a nightcap at the cosy Maids Head Bar. Guestrooms come equipped with free Wi-Fi, flatscreen TV, desk, tea and coffee-making facilities, complimentary toiletries and hairdryer.

We can book UK rail tickets from your local station to and from Norwich. Please call us to discuss your requirements.