Social Break: 4nts Cotswolds & Severn Valley Steam Train Trip
Overview
Join your fellow Spicers and discover the charm of historic Worcestershire towns and idyllic Cotswolds countryside on nostalgic rail journeys including Broadway & Cheltenham.
Based at The Whitehouse 4* Hotel in Worcester, centrally located across the road from the Station on this 4 night break starting on a Friday.
From picture-postcard villages and lush rolling meadows to gentle waterways and historic steam railways, discover quintessential English charm and beauty in abundance on this superb holiday to one of the most scenic parts of the UK.
Explore timber-framed Tudor buildings and the stunning cathedral in Worcester, discover the charming Cotswold village of Broadway and the Regency spa town of Cheltenham. Take nostalgic trips on the heritage Gloucestershire Warwickshire and Severn Valley railways, admiring rural views along the way.
Journeying on the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway
Enjoy views of the quaint Cotswolds countryside and sleepy hamlets on the 14-mile heritage railway from charming Broadway to the beautiful town of Cheltenham.
The Gloucestershire and Warwickshire Railway is a restored twelve mile line that operated between Cheltenham Racecourse and Laverton Halt. The line was originally built between 1900 and 1906, and was finally closed in 1976 after years of neglect and eventually a derailment that damaged the track. The railway runs an array of steam and heritage diesel locomotives which have included the Flying Scotsman.
Travelling on the Severn Valley Railway
Tracing the route of the River Severn through remote valleys that can only be seen by rail, this scenic railway delivers gorgeous views on a 16-mile journey from Bridgnorth to Kidderminster.
The Severn Valley Railway opened in 1862 and operated for 101 years, carrying passengers, coal and agricultural traffic until its closure in 1963. The line was re-opened on 23 May 1970 and is today one of the UK's most popular heritage railways. The 16-mile (26 km) route runs through the Shropshire and Worcestershire countryside from Kidderminster to Bridgnorth. The line takes passengers along the pretty Severn Valley, following the River Severn for much of the journey.
Enjoying a walking tour of historic Worcester
Visit the main attractions of this attractive city, from its timber-famed buildings to the medieval cathedral – home to fascinating crypt and cloisters and the burial place of King John.
Discovering the charming Cotswolds and surrounding areas
Explore the area’s most picturesque towns and villages, including the golden-hued cottages of Broadway, the medieval market town of Bridgnorth and the elegant Regency spa town of Cheltenham.
Includes
- Cotswold Tour including stop at Broadway
- Steam Train to Cheltenham
- Tour to Historic Bridgnorth
- Severn Valley Steam Train Trip to Kidderminster
- Historic Guided Walking Tour of Worcester
- 4 nights’ 4-star Whitehouse Hotel in Worcester- across the road from the station
- Breakfast and Dinner each day
- Leisure club with Pool, Hot Tub, Sauna, Steam room & Gym
- Spice Host & Tour Manager
- Spice Walks
- Spice Drinks and Lunches meet ups at our own expense
Reviews
4.4 stars 4.4 / 5 · 114 reviews
Collected by Trustpilot
5 stars(60)
4 stars(41)
3 stars(9)
2 stars(3)
1 star(1)
Mrs Elizabeth Cook
5 stars
Submitted 20 Oct 2024
Good value for money. Hotel opposite Foregate station. Very good food at hotel and pleasant room. Knowledgeable guide
Mr Mandry
5 stars
Submitted 18 Oct 2024
All expectations met, very enjoyable.
Jean Goodson
5 stars
Submitted 15 Oct 2024
really enjoyed this trip. Our tour manager, John, was fantastic, hotel very good and convenient to train station. Had good amount of free time. Enjoyed the railway trips. No complaints at all and would highly recommend.
PAUL FRODSHAM
5 stars
The Whitehouse Hotel had a welcoming Receptionist ; a good sized room ; comfortable bed and good food. Our Tour Manager (John Pearman) was well organised and kept everyone informed about the day ahead and when travelling on the coach to the train journey. On the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway trip we had an extra long stop at Toddington for driver change-over. This allowed those who wished, to inspect the maintenance work being carried out and also enjoy a stop at the Station Cafe. ... read more
Adrian Summers
5 stars
Enjoyable holiday, Hotel was in a great location very central minutes from the Railway Station. Hotel was comfortable and clean, buffet breakfast very good our evening meal was basic but generally good. Our host John ensured our itinerary was as scheduled. We visited a couple of lovely Cotswold villages combined with 2 local Railway journeys.
Warren Pyke
5 stars
Submitted 16 Sep 2024
This was our 4th Rail journey and they are always good value, good hotels, food, company and Tour Guides.
Please Note: the balance due date on this event differs to our standard Overnight Events cancellation policy for Spice Breaks. The balance is due on 7th June 20255 after which we are only able to issue a Spice Credit in accordance with our cancellation policy if we manage to sell all contracted places on.
Guests & Non Members who are new to Spice are welcome to book at a £36 supplement though they may prefer to join to register to book at the member rate .
Please call Tel 020 3 950 7978 to enquire about booking as a guest.
Location & Itinerary
Day 1 – A warm welcome in stately Worcester
Your holiday begins on arrival at your hotel in Worcester, conveniently located next to the train station. After meeting your Spice Host, Tour Manager and fellow travellers on this shared tour, there's time to explore at leisure.
Worcester is a medieval city filled with history and surrounded by idyllic countryside, including the rolling hills and quaint villages of the Malverns. Due to its position on the banks of the broad River Severn, Worcester has enjoyed great importance since Roman times. The city became wealthy in the Middle Ages due to the cloth trade and was famed for its glove-making - but today Worcester has become synonymous with porcelain and lays claim to being one of the oldest centres of porcelain production in the country.
This evening, we regroup in our hotel to enjoy our first dinner together.
Day 2 – Historic Bridgnorth and the vintage Severn Valley Railway
After breakfast this morning, we transfer by coach to the pretty Shropshire town of Bridgnorth, where there is time to explore at leisure. The River Severn splits the town into two parts, the High Town and the Low Town.
You could take a trip on the Bridgnorth Cliff Railway, one of the steepest funiculars in England with a maximum gradient of 64%. Founded in 1101, Bridgnorth Castle suffered severe damage during the English Civil War and the results of the long siege can be seen in the remains of its great tower, with a lean four times that of Pisa's famous tower.
After time to lunch independently, we join the Severn Valley Railway for a beautiful 16-mile journey following the winding path of the River Severn, with views of remote valleys that can only be seen by rail. A highlight of the trip is crossing the 200-foot Victoria Bridge, where we can enjoy excellent river views. On arrival in Kidderminster, there is free time before travelling back to Worcester by coach to enjoy a three-course dinner at our hotel this evening.
*Trains are steam-hauled where possible, however due to timetable changes or weather conditions, heritage diesel locomotives may be running instead.
Day 3 – A heritage Cotswolds rail journey from Broadway to Cheltenham
Today we head deep into the beautiful Cotswolds after breakfast, travelling by coach to Broadway. This pretty village is named the 'Jewel of the Cotswolds', and there is time at leisure to discover its lovely High Street. Admire the horse chestnut trees, its blend of period houses and picturesque Cotswold stone cottages.
Heading to the station, we board the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway for an atmospheric journey showcasing the area's spectacular scenery and views of the Vale of Evesham on the way to Cheltenham. There is free time over lunch to enjoy this delightful spa town's wide choice of popular cafés, restaurants and street food. Known for its Regency architecture, you could also seek out one of the many beautiful parks in the town and spend the afternoon relaxing.
Day 4 – Uncover the famed attractions of Worcester
A guided walking tour reveals the sights of Worcester today as we head out after a leisurely breakfast. With our guide, we take in the city's many excellent attractions, including the timber-framed Tudor buildings that line the old streets and the magnificent cathedral.
Situated on the banks of the River Severn, this Anglican cathedral dates from the early medieval era and showcases an eclectic blend of architectural styles, from Gothic to Norman. Worcester has long been an important religious city and the chancel contains the tomb of King John, the monarch who drew up the Magna Carta in 1215. The cathedral was also spared total destruction during the Reformation because it was the sight of a memorial to Henry VIII's brother, Arthur.
With some time at leisure after the tour, you can get to know the city at your own pace. You could stop for an afternoon tea, enjoy shopping in the many boutiques or visit the Museum of Royal Worcester to see the famous Worcester porcelain. This evening, we regroup at our hotel for our final dinner together.
Day 5 – Homeward bound
Our exploration of the Cotswolds comes to an end after breakfast this morning. Once you've checked out and said goodbye to your group, you are free to make your way home or continue exploring the beautiful surrounding area on your own.
Leaving Worcester, you can look back at the charming sights we have explored in this picturesque part of England. From this historic city and its attractive streets, we uncovered the Cotswolds, from idyllic Broadway to elegant Cheltenham on the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway. The Severn Valley Railway also showcased picture-perfect landscapes as we followed the river from the market town of Bridgnorth to Kidderminster. With rolling hills and winding valleys, we have experienced some of the most quintessentially English landscapes and take away some wonderful memories with us.
Mobility information
This trip is classed as Moderate level 1
Here are a descriptions of all the different levels so you can assess if this trip is suitable for you:
Level 1 - Leisurely Tourist
You're someone who savours a leisurely travel experience. You love taking in the sights, sounds, and energy of a new place, but prefer to do so at a relaxed pace. You can easily handle a flight of stairs, get on and off transport while carrying your suitcase, moderate walks of around 15-30 minutes are no problem for you.
Level 2 - Everyday Traveller
You prefer a well-rounded approach to travel that includes both activity and relaxation. You're comfortable walking for 30-45 minutes at a time on various terrains, including cobblestoned streets, straightforward paths, and routes that involve rail changes. However, you also value some downtime to unwind and recharge during your travels.
Level 3 - Comfortable Explorer
You're a traveller who enjoys new experiences and sightseeing. You can handle hills, uneven surfaces, various modes of transportation, and standing for longer periods. You look forward to full days, but also like to make time for rest and relaxation to recharge your batteries.
Level 4 - Active Adventurer
You love staying active and like to explore on your holiday. You're more than capable of handling longer walking tours, standing for extended periods of time, and navigating towns and the countryside. Itineraries could include early starts, late-night experiences, and full days.
Travel & Stay
Worcester 4^ Whitehouse Hotel, Worcester.
The 4* Worcester Whitehouse Hotel is located in the very heart of the city, next to the railway station and just a short walk from the shops and central attractions of Worcester.
The hotel town-house was built in the 16th century and retains much of its quintessential English charm, with a sprinkling of modern convenience.
The hotel has a brasserie-style restaurant, a lounge bar and a leisure club with an indoor pool, sauna, hot tub and fitness centre.
En-suite rooms are cosy and comfortable and come equipped with all standard amenities, as well as tea and coffee making facilities and complimentary Wi-Fi Internet access.
By Train
Worcester Foregate Station is across the road from the Hotel with direct train from London Paddington plus easy journeys from other major cities across the UK
By Car
Car parking does NOT need to be reserved and is available at £10 per day
| Type | Price | |
|---|---|---|
| Double Share 4nts DBB per person | £549.00 | Available |
| FEMALE Twin Share 4nts DBB per person | £549.00 | Available |
| Twin Share 4nts DBB per person | £549.00 | Sold Out |
| Single 4nts DBB per person | £795.00 | Sold Out |
| Double Sole Occ 4nts DBB per person | £895.00 | Available |
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Host & Everything Else
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