Trains and the Grand Union Canal

Day 1 Morning departure for the journey to Hinckley and to the hotel for a four night stay.

Day 2 Your day begins with a drive south to historic Coventry and a visit to the Baddesley Clinton House, not far from Warwick. This atmospheric moated house has been a sanctuary since the 15th century, with three priest holes and peaceful gardens, with fish pools, a romantic lake and walled garden all of which are a delight. There will be time for lunch here before heading off to the Museum of British Road Transport, with over 400 artefacts and thousands of items of memorabilia from the golden age of cars and cycles. The museum is only five minutes’ walk from the world-famous Coventry Cathedral.

Day 3 This morning’s tour takes you to the little village of Foxton. Here you will board ‘Vagabond’, an elegant motor launch for a trip on the Grand Union Canal, seeing the Foxton flight of 10 locks, and gently passing through peaceful countryside. At Foxton, there is a canal-side pub where refreshments are available. From here you head for the Black Country Museum, spending the afternoon exploring this amazing museum. If you’re a fan of ‘Peaky Blinders’, you may recognise the museum as many scenes were filmed there.

Day 4 Today you will travel to Kidderminster and join the Severn Valley Railway for a ride along the valley to Bridgnorth, passing through delightfully restored stations on the way. In the afternoon, continue by coach to the northern outskirts of Leicester where you join the Great Central Railway for a nostalgic steam train ride for 18 miles to Loughborough crossing picturesque Swithland Reservoir on the way.

Day 5 After breakfast, depart the hotel and commence the homeward journey.