England 4-Week Tour by Train

Oxford — Cotswolds — Cardiff — Birmingham — Liverpool — Manchester — Glasgow — Newcastle — Durham — Leeds — Norwich — Cambridge — Canterbury — London

This itinerary is designed for the traveler who has already visited the main cities of London, Bath, York and Edinburgh and wants to see something different. It visits 14 cities during a month, traveling in a large loop around Great Britain by train. The city cards below link to detailed pages for each destination.

The trip starts from Heathrow with a direct one-hour bus to Oxford — a more peaceful way to begin than diving straight into London. From there the route takes the long way round, ending in London. Staying three nights in the larger cities and two nights in smaller ones gives enough time to explore each place properly without rushing.

Train schedules and rail pass information are at National Rail and ACPRail.

Oxford

Many museums, historic colleges and lots of good pubs.

Cotswolds

Day trips from Oxford to see those charming villages.

Cardiff

Stroll through the Victorian arcades where independent shops spill onto the lanes.

Birmingham

England's second-largest city, offering a delightful mix of old and new.

Liverpool

Liverpool pulses with the spirit of four lads who changed the world.

Manchester

Its past as the birthplace of the industrial revolution intertwines with modern dynamism.

Lancaster

A gem in England's northwest with a rich tapestry of history and natural beauty.

Glasgow

This energetic city pulsates with a blend of gritty heritage and vibrant artistic spirit.

Newcastle

Famous for its iconic Tyne Bridge and a lively cultural scene.

Durham

Easy day trip from Newcastle — the Norman cathedral is among the world's finest.

Leeds

The unofficial capital of Yorkshire, a city that thrives on old and new.

Norwich

Famous for its well-preserved medieval architecture and contemporary vibrancy.

Cambridge

Beyond the iconic colleges, Cambridge offers museums, pubs and much more.

Canterbury

A captivating blend of medieval architecture, serene gardens and cultural landmarks.

London

Ending the journey here — suggestions for three days on the London page.

Take the Train

Getting around by train combined with mini-coach day tours is the best of both worlds — comfortable travel with the freedom to make your own choices. Brits drive on the left, city parking is expensive, and bus tours move too quickly. The train gets you between cities fast, and local day tours reach the smaller destinations not on the rail network.

Train Itinerary

Nights in brackets, journey times in hours and minutes.

Google My Maps

An interactive map is embedded on each city page throughout the itinerary. The maps include descriptions and links for each sight, and can be opened on a phone or tablet as a personal tour guide while on the ground.

References

• DK Eyewitness Great Britain
• England Lonely Planet
• Fodor's Essential Great Britain
• Frommer's England and Scotland
• Rick Steves Best of England
• Rick Steves Great Britain

For BritRail passes: ACPRail International