The No.1 Coach Holiday Site
We've carefully selected a large number of coach operators and brought them together all on one website - making booking a coach holiday EASY!
Cathedrals Express
PO Box 169Albury
Guildford
Surrey
GU5 9YS
The cities themselves have been carefully chosen to ensure that there is plenty to do. Whether it is visiting historic cathedrals and other local sights or shopping and a cappuccino in one of the many cafes, bars and restaurants or a boat or punt on the river, each city offers a variety of entertainments.
Passengers join The Cathedrals Express either in Central London or at regional stations as listed above.
Most trains leave central London after the rush hour and, in Pullman Style and Premier Dining, a delicious champagne breakfast or brunch is served by friendly and efficient staff and on the return trip a four course dinner in Premier Dining, and a five course dinner in Pullman Style’ is served including canapés and appetisers. In First Class, passengers are seated in compartments for up to six people or in open coaches and receive a glass of champagne and orange juice on boarding and coffee or tea served in china cups throughout the day. First Class and Standard Class passengers may also purchase drinks and food from the buffet car which is well stocked with homemade cakes and sandwiches. There is also a licensed bar.
In 2010 Cathedrals Express is running a three day excursion, The Coronation to Edinburgh. Departing London on 15 May 2010 and returning on 17 May 2010. Passengers are whisked up the East Coast by A4 locomotives that used to ply the route with the original train when it was launched in 1938. On Saturday 15 May, Bittern will haul the train to York where passengers will have two to three hours to see the sights of this beautiful city before we continue with Bittern to the Scottish Capital. Crossing over the Durham viaduct, with spectacular views of the Cathedral and Castle before crossing the River Tyne high above the city of Newcastle, we then continue on to the Royal Border Bridge at Berwick before the train hugs the Scottish cliffs on its way to Edinburgh.
Cathedrals Express was the brainchild of steam train enthusiast Marcus Robertson whose mother wrote the Wombles. “As a child I loved steam travel and always felt it had a magic – making travel exciting and fun. In the mid 1990s when I started taking my children on steam trips I realised that there were many people like me looking to re-live the nostalgia of steam travel. My wife, although enjoying the steam travel, was equally keen on finding an attractive destination and it was this that got me thinking – ‘why not combine the two?’ Steam travel for me, an attractive destination for her and gourmet food included. With this in mind, the concept of The Cathedrals Express was launched.”
In 2000 the first Cathedrals Express left London for Canterbury. “It was an immediate success” said Marcus Robertson. “Everyone was so enthusiastic and really appreciated the extra touches – like the innovative menus in Premier Dining, fresh flowers on the table, the links with the cathedral and the booklets we produce outlining the route and places of interest to look out for along the way together with information on what to do and see on arrival in the city.
“From there over the next couple of years we worked hard to develop a good range of cities – all with enormous historic interest and within easy reach of London. Our customers voted with their feet – some travelling with us as often as 10 times in a season.”
Cathedrals Express was the first rail charter to be carbon neutral and is proud of its commitment to ensure its trains do not damage the environment.
