From Balmoral to Buckingham Palace: Celebrate King Charles III’s Coronation in Style with a Regal Rail Holiday
Visit the Realm’s Royal Residences on a Great Rail Journeys’ Great British Tour
With the new King Charles III’s Royal Coronation on the horizon, royalty enthusiasts up and down the nation are excited to celebrate. What better way to welcome the new reign than a trip to some of Britain’s most iconic royal residences?
Great Rail Journeys is inviting travellers to discover the realm’s most iconic castles, palaces and royal heritage sites on one of their unforgettable rail tours.
Holyrood
Edinburgh, Stirling and Dalhousie Castle – 7 days from £1,095 per person
This trip begins with a guided walking tour of Edinburgh, passing Holyrood, the official residence of the monarch in Scotland. Keen royalty enthusiasts will recall Holyrood as the site of our new King’s first public duty in Scotland when he was just sixteen. The palace is set in the expansive Holyrood Park, which is open to the public all year round.
Following a visit to the Palace, travellers enjoy a stay at Dalhousie Castle. This quaint thirteenth-century property has been converted into a luxury hotel and spa, offering guests an indulgent escape in parkland surroundings. This tour also stops at Stirling Castle, a powerful medieval stronghold familiar to film and television buffs as a popular filming location.
Balmoral
Royal Deeside and The Tornado Steam Train – 5 days from £995 per person
Balmoral Castle is well-known as the late Queen Elizabeth II’s favourite summer residence. Her Majesty returned to the estate throughout her reign to holiday in the Highland surrounds. King Charles III is considering transforming Balmoral into a museum in honour of his mother, but for now, the castle remains a residential property with visitor access.
On the Royal Deeside and The Tornado Steam Train rail tour, travellers pause at Balmoral to admire the fine Scots Baronial architecture that gives the castle its archetypal Scottish feel. This tour also includes a romantic ride on the Aberdonian Tornado, a classic steam locomotive offering rugged panoramas of the Scottish countryside and fine dining fit for a king.
Buckingham Palace
Grand Tour of the UK – 12 days from £2,495 per person
Great Rail Journeys’ Grand Tour of the UK is packed with royal highlights. The most significant is the chance for travellers to see Buckingham Palace during their free time in London. One of the world’s most recognisable royal properties, this grand neo-classical palace will be King Charles’ official London residence. The new King was born in one of the 775 rooms, some of which are open for public viewing in the summer months.
The Grand Tour also includes the Tower of London’s famous daily Opening Ceremony and a chance to meet a Yeoman Warder, explore the winding streets of historic York and enjoy lively Scottish entertainment in bonny Edinburgh.
Sandringham
Norwich, Sandringham and the Norfolk Broads – 5 days from £695 per person
On this tour, travellers can savour a taste of regal tranquillity at Sandringham Palace and Estate, the beloved country retreat of the late Queen Elizabeth II. It’s believed King Charles plans to construct a new topiary garden on the grounds, continuing its royal favour.
This five-day tour of Norwich, Sandringham and the Norfolk Broads allows guests plenty of time to explore the Palace and grounds at their own pace. The beautifully landscaped gardens and sculpture trail capture the hearts of every visitor, and the Sandringham Exhibition and Transport Museum educates visitors about the estate’s heritage.