A wonderful opportunity and a nostalgic reminder of a bygone era to travel in luxury hauled by a beautifully restored steam locomotive to the Isle of Purbeck.   Staying for two nights in the ideally located Mercure Whatley Hall in the centre of Banbury and joining the train on Thursday morning at Banbury Station. Travel through attractive and scenic countryside down the South West Main Line to Wareham, where the train continues into the heart of Purbeck and the Jurassic Coast, travelling along the reopened preserved branch line through the picturesque village of Corfe Castle, with its dramatic ruins of a medieval castle, and on to the charming coastal town of Swanage. 

Enjoy a break in Swanage, before we take a panoramic coach tour  driving along part of the Jurassic Coastline, England’s first Natural World Heritage Site.  Travelling through the back roads with coastal views across Studland, Kimmerage Bay and St Aldhelm’s Head, a short stop in Corfe Castle, time to stretch your legs and to admire the scenery before returning to the station at to catch the locomotive back to Banbury.   Alternatively you can remain in Swanage with shops and places to find a traditional Dorset cream tea, or alight at Corfe Castle (tbc) to explore the village and the ruins of a castle, once the most fortified in all England but systematically destroyed after the Civil War.

In the golden age of travel it was as equally important to enjoy a journey in style as it was to reach the destination, travelling in comfort with good food and drink.  We can offer either Pullman Style travel, the ultimate in luxury with welcome glasses of champagne, breakfast brunch on the outward journey and on the return canapés before being served a four-course meal with a half bottle of wine.  Or Premier Dining with champagne brunch with tea, coffee and pastries and on the return journey a delicious four-course dinner served at tables either for two or four in traditional carriages (a selection of beers, wines and spirits will be available for purchase). 

On arrival at Banbury a taxi will transfer you back to the hotel in the late evening. Times still to be confirmed.  We also have still to be advised which locomotive will be hauling this train.
Note – Our allocation on board includes tables for two and tables for four in either Pullman style or Premier dining.  Tables for two are subject to availability and carry a supplement

	2 nights accommodation and breakfast.
	Welcome reception and dinner on Wednesday
	Full days steam hauled rail travel with Premier dining as above.
	Coach tour along Dorset Coast.
	Professional Guide and transfers to station.

Hotel Access: 
Train: Banbury Station – 5 minutes by taxi,
Road: 10 minutes from J11 M40
Car parking available at hotel.