Travel Britain in Style by Land, Sea and Air

Britain is a wonderful country to tour no matter how you do it. But if you’re on board the luxurious British Pullman train of the Orient Express; or behind the wheel of an ‘E-Type’ Jaguar; or enjoying the maritime delights of the Hebridean Princess cruise ship, then touring reaches an altogether more sublime level. Here we suggest some of the most stylish ways to travel around the country, by road, rail, sea and air. Quality comes at a price, of course, but true style and luxury is always worth paying a little extra for. Go on, indulge yourself in Britain – you know you deserve it! By road… There’s nothing quite like motoring along Cornwall and Devon’s country lanes at the wheel of a classic car such as the ‘E-Type’ Jaguar. With its soft leather seats, walnut dashboard and polished chrome, it makes country driving a joy. Tuck a picnic hamper into the boot and away you go. Cornwall Classic Car Hire knows all the best stately homes, beaches and gardens in this lovely area of South-West England and can set you off on the right road. Their route suggestions will take you to some of Cornwall’s famous gardens, for example – Tregenna Castle, Trelissick or St Michael’s Mount – they all flourish in the temperate climate created by the Gulf Stream. Most splendid of all is the global garden of the Eden Project, where trees and plants thrive inside giant ‘biomes’. Or choose from the classic 1950s and 60s sports cars meticulously maintained by Rambling Roadsters. An MGA 1600 Mark II or a 1964 Alpha Romeo Spider are ideal for tours around the Heart of England: the company will plan your route through charming Cotswold villages or farther afield, building in visits to motor museums, race meets, even the Morgan factory for those interested. Maybe you have an eye for fine cars but prefer to sit back and be driven? There are a number of chauffeur-drive companies that operate fleets of air conditioned vehicles – Mercedes Benz Saloons, Jaguar XJ6s, Rolls-Royces and Daimler limousines. Cars and uniformed drivers are available for tours of the UK or just for a few hours. Ride in style to a day at the races, or the summer season events at which Britain excels, such as the Henley Royal Regatta or to the opera at Glyndebourne. Your chauffeur can provide both the picnic hamper and the chilled champagne, so all you need think about is enjoying yourself. By sea… Cruising is synonymous with luxury and, in the scenic waters of Scotland’s Highlands and Islands, no vessel is better known than the Hebridean Princess for its fine furnishings and extraordinary level of service. Relax on a ship that is small enough to recreate the feel of a country house party – a luxurious lounge, peaceful library and formal wood-panelled dining room are some of her delights. Then go on deck or to the cosy Look Out Lounge to be reminded of the spectacular Scottish coastline. The Hebridean Princess will bring you to fascinating and remote locations where only private launches normally moor and you’ll explore beautiful gardens, atmospheric castles, thriving towns and deserted beaches. The Heritage of Scotland tour, for example, winds through the Inner Hebridean islands of Syke, Mull, Coll and Iona, visiting Dunvegan, Brodick and Eilean Donan castles, with a finale at Duart Castle hosted by Clan Chief Sir Lachlan MacLean. By air… By making use of a rented helicopter you could have lunch in Southern England and play golf in Northern Scotland in the afternoon. Or do a whistle-stop tour of the whole country in a day or two. Atlas Helicopters and Rotary Aviation are two companies offering point-to-point air transportation, allowing you to fit more into your day. For something a little different, you could take off from water and see the lochs and glens of Scotland from a seaplane, before an exhilarating, spray-filled touch-down on the country’s largest inland water. Operated by Captain David West, a commercial pilot with 25 years’ experience, Loch Lomond Seaplanes’ choice of pleasure flights starts at a down-to-earth £110 per person. By rail… The British Pullman of the Venice Simplon-Orient Express, plus its sister trains the Northern Belle and the Royal Scotsman hark back to the golden age of rail travel when a journey was all about being pampered and cosseted. Built as ‘Palaces on Wheels’, the trains offer superb cuisine, elegant décor and an attentive crew. As well as an Observation Lounge, the Royal Scotsman offers superb overnight accommodation and its tours of Scotland, with side trips to castles and distilleries, and opportunities for golf on celebrated courses, are the nearest you’ll get to cruising on land. The British Pullman’s day excursions – to historic cities such as Bath, Cambridge, York and sporting events – are accompanied by fine dining with plenty of champagne. Each carriage is an original art deco masterpiece restored by renowned designers such as Rene Lalique. On arrival, a well-informed tour guide will bring you to the main points of interest and there will be free time before boarding the return train for a sumptuous four-course dinner and a leisurely ride home. The Northern Belle offers similar excursions, departing from Manchester, Liverpool and York. Luxurious accommodation No matter which form of transport you choose, there is no shortage of top-class accommodation to complete your luxury package. Choose from castle hotels, country house hotels, state-of-the-art destination spas or golfing resorts. There are few experiences that compare with staying in a castle that has been luxuriously refurbished. Langley Castle near Durham is one of the oldest. It dates from 1350 and is a fine example of a medieval fortified castle. Wherever you stay, expect spectacular views over deer parks, lakes and golf courses and superb modern cuisine. If you’re feeling adventurous, some properties, such as Myers Castle in Fife, Scotland, can serve you a formal medieval banquet. The von Essen collection of privately owned country house hotels includes stately homes and manor houses such as Cliveden, beside the River Thames in Berkshire and New Park Manor, a former royal hunting lodge in the heart of the New Forest. Partake in such country pursuits as falconry, clay-pigeon shooting, horse riding and fly fishing, or try transportation ‘Jules Verne-style’ in a hot-air balloon! Many of Britain’s finest hotels combine luxury with some of the best golf in the world. St Mellion in Cornwall, Celtic Manor in Wales, the Belfry in Warwickshire and the Old Course Hotel in St. Andrews, the home of golf, are some of the top resorts. Why not charter a helicopter and tee off on a different championship course every day? Useful websites Historic & Classic Car Hirers Guild: www.hchg.co.uk Cornwall Classic Car Hire: www.cornwallclassiccarhire.co.uk Rambling Roadsters: www.ramblingroadsters.com Chauffeur Tours UK: www.chauffeurtours.com Maxwell Car Services (chauffeur drive): www.chauffeurdrive.com Hebridean Princess: www.hebridean.co.uk Rotary Aviation (helicopters): www.rotaryaviation.co.uk Atlas Helicopters: www.atlashelicopters.co.uk British Pullman, Northern Belle and Royal Scotsman trains: www.luxury-trains.co.uk Celtic Castles: www.celticcastles.com Von Essen Luxury Hotels: www.vonessenhotels.com Golf Travel England and Wales: www.golftravelengland.com Golf Travel Scotland: www.golfing-scotland.com

August 2004 from VisitBritain by Amanda Parsons