Choose a path less travelled to get to the heart and soul of England, creating your own journey through our history and our countryside. Feel England in close-up as you hop on and off the train straight into the heart of our beautiful historic cities; each one a vibrant, richly cultural, beautiful and surprising place with a story to tell and your own to write.

Explore England's culture, heritage and people through the eyes and footsteps of those that helped shape its history.

Choose from five wondrous itineraries taking in sixteen of England's most surprising historic cities, including a route from Cornwall to Stonehenge, via the Roman and Georgian sights in Bath.

From stories of monarchs and merchants, to breakfast on the beach, Shakespeare, Harry Potter and the Magna Carta, England’s historic cities have it all. Plan your perfect break, complete with tours, accommodation, attractions and rail pass.

The historic gateway to the South West

Named after its natural hot springs as a thermal spa built by the Romans, Bath was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in the late 1980s, with a second UNESCO designation in 2021 as part of the Spa Towns of Europe. 

Learn more about Bath's World Heritage status

Fall in love with Bath

From captivating views to relaxing spa treatments, Bath draws you in not just with its stunning architecture and vast history, but has plenty more for you to discover during your stay. Take time to stroll along the River Avon or Kennet and Avon Canal, or explore the nearby countryside by bike.

See more suggestions for things to do in Bath

Western Wonders: A short break in the South West

Explore Bath and key historic areas of South West England on this three-day itinerary.

Start this trip with breakfast on a Cornish beach, before exploring the historic town of Truro for windswept castles, cream teas and Cornish pasties. Then move on to bathe in Roman springs and visit the house in Bath where the Planet Uranus was discovered, before going further back in time to climb cathedral spires and witness Stonehenge’s prehistoric stones in Salisbury.

Discover England's beaches, baths and boltholes