Tour Ref: FC4/1
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Why Feeling Chipper? Well, we are confident that this holiday based in Chippenham (there’s the chipper!) will leave you feeling so. A lovely, rural and rustic experience that combines some super south-western scenery with a smattering of nostalgic attractions – some of which are not so easy to get to independently – read on:
Here we go! We meet at Westbury Station, which is a convenient start point for our first visit of the holiday. Close by is Longleat Safari Park, which has much of interest and was the world’s first safari park outside of Africa. We first take a safari drive spotting lions and tigers and bears – oh my! Then we set down at the main site where you might like to get lost in the maze, or visit the manor house, home to the 8th Marquess of Bath. Of course, we cannot leave here without a ride on the Longleat Railway. That’s how to start off a holiday!
A big circular day starts at the Swindon & Cricklade Railway, one of the UK’s unsung gems, very much in the middle of nowhere. A railway museum, war museum, and a 4 ½ mile round trip. Then, it’s into Swindon to set down at the railway station. Our journey from Swindon to Cheltenham is truly scenic as it carves through the Cotswolds via Stroud. The Gloucester and Warwick Railway is our destination this afternoon. Running through lovely rolling scenery between Cheltenham Racecourse and the Cotswold’s gem of Broadway this line is a delight and there are attractions to occupy us at a couple of the intermediate stations.
Today we head west and south for a day of nostalgic rail action. The Avon Valley Railway runs out of Bitton, in two different directions, sharing the track-bed with a walking/cycle path. Watch Sunday joggers and dog walkers from the comfort of the train. Later, we pop into Midsomer Norton for an emerging heritage railway with surprisingly far-reaching views. These guys are super friendly and keen to indulge us with the history of the legendary Somerset & Dorset. Our day just gets better and better as we descend upon the East Somerset Railway at Cranmore. The Strawberry Line has a large buffet, an art gallery, museum, model railway and open access sheds. A fitting finale before heading back to Chippenham, feeling exceptionally chipper!
A nice easy morning to finish starts with a stop off to see the stones of Avebury on the way to Swindon. Here is one of the finest railway museums in the country…STEAM – it’s everything that is GWR. It is very well laid out with a recreated platform, engines you can get on and an on-site café for lunch. Homeward bound journeys will start from Swindon Station early afternoon.
This super establishment is located in the centre of Chippenham, a lovely quiet town, with an impressive railway viaduct crossing it. The hotel’s accommodation (no lift by the way) is split between the original coaching house, with restaurant, lounge and bar, and a modern addition at the rear complete with swimming pool. Both are connected via a delightful courtyard/garden.
