Railtour option for that ‘awkward’ week?

WITH quite a few businesses closing their doors for the Christmas and New Year holiday period, finding something to do during that lull can be a problem.

Following last year’s railtour success, UK Railtours is offering the appropriately named ‘Awkward Week Adventurer’ excursion on December 30.

This year, the tour will start at Peterborough (07.30) and pick up at Huntingdon, Stevenage, Potters Bar and Finsbury Park before crossing London via Kilburn and Feltham to a final pickup at Staines.

The train will be routed over some rare track on its way to the first set down point of Eastleigh, where passengers can take advantage of an off-train excursion to the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu, palace and gardens. This option is at an additional cost of £30, with motor coaches provided between Eastleigh and Beaulieu.

For those wanting to sample more rare track, the ‘Awkward’ tour will visit Southampton Eastern Docks, Southampton Up Yard Reception and Southampton Western Docks, all subject to track inspection and approval.

After the docks visit, the train returns to Eastleigh where during a break of around an hour, the stock will be serviced and cleaned.

Returning to Peterborough, the route will be via Romsey, the Laverstock Loop, Basingstoke and Reading.

Fares start at £119 adult standard (£109 junior), first class non-dining £169, first class dining £269 or £1056 for a party of four. Dining is not available from Staines.

Online booking is available at ukrailtours.com or by calling 01438 715050.