The Experience

Stroll the halls of real-life Hogwarts, visit the Queen’s residence in York and savor the idyllic atmosphere of Cambridge with a leisurely punt down the Cam River on a journey through England’s heart. Day 1: Depart Edinburgh, Scotland | Alnwick Castle Private Tour
Depart Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, on board the luxurious Royal Scotsman at Waverley Station in the in early afternoon. Travel east toward the Scottish Borders, enjoying superb coastal views as you continue through Berwick-upon-Tweed, England, and on to Alnmouth. Upon arrival, disembark for a private tour of nearby Alnwick Castle. Home to the Duke of Northumberland,™s family, the Percys, for more than 700 years, Alnwick Castle is the birthplace of the legendary 15th-century Scottish knight Sir Henry Harry Hotspur, Percy, and more recently starred as Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry in the first two Harry Potter films. View the library adorned with ceiling trophies designed by Giovanni Montiroli, look for the intricate white marble chimneypiece in the dining room and inspect the remarkable Cucci cabinets in the drawing room, originally made for Louis XIV of France. Return to the train in Alnmouth, settle into a comfortable armchair or sofa in the observation car and enjoy a cocktail as the train continues to Scarborough for an overnight stay. Savor dinner in a dining car, and then relax with coffee or a nightcap. Retire to your en suite state cabin, which blends Edwardian elegance with country-house comfort.

The Royal Scotsman | Meals: D
Day 2: York/Mid-Norfolk Railway | Beautiful, Historic York
Sit down to breakfast as you travel west toward the ancient walled city of York with its exquisite architecture, tangle of quaint streets and wealth of attractions. Disembark to explore the York Minster or stroll and shop the Shambles, lined with overhanging timber-frame houses; or perhaps visit the National Railway Museum, featuring more than 100 locomotives on display; the Jorvik Viking Centre, created by the York Archaeological Trust; or Fairfax House, one of the finest Georgian town houses in Europe. Back on board, enjoy a leisurely lunch and a relaxing afternoon, watching the countryside slip past en route to Norfolk. Disembark at King,™s Lynn to visit Sandringham, the Norfolk retreat of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Built in 1870, Sandringham is set amid more than 50 acres of stunning gardens. Enjoy a private drinks reception before returning to the train for a late dinner, while the train continues toward the picturesque Mid-Norfolk private railway at Dereham.

The Royal Scotsman | Meals: B L D
Day 3: Cambridge/Nene Valley | University Highlights
This morning, your train rolls into Cambridge, home to the 800-year-old University of Cambridge. Visit historic King,™s College, founded in 1441 by King Henry VI, to see its beautiful Gothic English chapel, which boasts fine medieval stained glass windows and the world,™s largest fan-vaulted ceiling. Enjoy an exclusive look inside the Parker Library, where the rare books and manuscripts of Corpus Christi College are kept. Experience firsthand a wonderful Cambridge tradition as you take a leisurely punt on the River Cam. Learn from your private guide how the city has evolved from medieval market town to world-class center for education. Enjoy impressive views of the majestic university,™s colleges and look out for the lovely covered Bridge of Sighs, named after the famed similar span in Venice. Depart Cambridge late afternoon as the train travels north to the private Nene Valley Railway near Peterborough, for an overnight stay. Enjoy a formal dinner on board followed by after-dinner entertainment in the Observation Car.

The Royal Scotsman | Meals: B L D
Day 4: Arrive London
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast as the train makes its way south through Hertfordshire and North London, and arrive mid morning at your final destination, London,™s Victoria Station, where you disembark.

Meals: B