Rail itineraries – Heritage Cities

Lincoln - York - Durham - Edinburgh
This 5 day railway itinerary encompasses a whistle-stop tour of some of the Britan’s historical highlights, from the spectacular Norman relics of Lincoln to the Viking heritage of York and all the way north to the medieval gems of Edinburgh.
For shorter trips, individual rail tickets can be booked in advance through the Trainline. For longer journeys, one of the easiest and most relaxing ways to explore Britain is with a BritRail Pass, which allows unlimited journeys and the freedom to explore.
Start your journey
The first destination on the Heritage Cities tour is Lincoln in the East Midlands. Just 2 hours north of London by train, there’s a regular service from London King’s Cross station via Peterborough or Newark North Gate.
Lincoln
Lincoln Cathedral
Commissioned by William the Conqueror and consecrated in 1092, the huge gothic towers of Lincoln Cathedral have been dominating the city’s skyline for nearly a thousand years. Taking a guided tour is the best way to learn more about the architecture and rich history.

Lincoln Castle
It’s a short stroll from the cathedral across the cobbles to the towering entrance of Lincoln Castle. Home to an original copy of the Magna Carta, the chance to see one of the world’s most important documents first-hand should not be missed.

Doddington Hall
A privately owned Elizabethan Mansion with stunning gardens, Doddington Hall was built in 1600 and is unique in that it has never been sold or cleared out since. The Hall is a 15 minute taxi ride from Lincoln centre and its website lists opening days and times.

York
Time to trade the Norman charms of Lincoln for the Viking heritage of York.Trains run from Lincoln to Newark North Gate (30 mins), from where there is a connection to York (45 mins).
A place of extraordinary cultural and historical wealth, York is a must-visit. Seemingly unchanged for centuries, the modestly sized city is packed with attractions: from the narrow cobbles of The Shambles, to the dramatic architecture of York Minster and the rolling countryside that surrounds Castle Howard.
York Minster
Truly awe-inspiring, York Minster is one of the most beautiful gothic cathedrals in the world and one of the largest examples of medieval architecture in Northern Europe. The stunning stained glass on display is a real highlight, as is the climb to the top of the central tower, for a magnificent bird’s eye view of the city.

Supplier Information
Name | York Minster |
Category | Attraction |
Profile | The Cathedral and Metropolitical Church of Saint Peter in York, commonly known as York Minster, is the cathedral of York, England, and is one of the largest of its kind in Northern Europe. The minster is the seat of the Archbishop of York, the second-highest office of the Church of England. It's time to explore over 2000 years of history in stunning surroundings. |
Phone | YO1 7HH |
info@yorkminster.org | |
Website | https://yorkminster.org/home.html |
FIT or Groups: | N/A |
Castle Howard
A gem amongst English stately homes, Castle Howard is a majestic house surrounded by lush gardens. Splendidly maintained, the house’s ornate rooms are filled with antiques and offer stunning vistas of the surrounding countryside. A bus runs directly from York city to Castle Howard.

Supplier Information
Name | Castle Howard |
Category | Attraction |
Profile | Castle Howard, near York, is one of Britain's finest stately homes. A magnificent historic house in the north of England with ornate interiors, landscaped gardens and adventure playground for a great family day out. |
Phone | 01653 648624 |
house@castlehoward.co.uk | |
Website | https://www.castlehoward.co.uk/ |
FIT or Groups: | N/A |
York – City Sightseeing Bus Tour
An open-top bus tour gives a great insight into the sights and attractions that tell the story of York’s 2,000 years of history. There are 22 stops across the city and there is an audio guide in 9 languages. The bus stops at all of the key attractions, including: York Minster, York Dungeon, Clifford’s Tower and the city walls.

York Pass
The York Pass includes entry to over 30 top attractions in Yorkshire, such as museums, castles, galleries, dining out or entertainment.
Attractions include Castle Howard, York Minster, Clifford’s Tower, Yorkshire Air Museum and many more.

Durham
The Cathedral bus connects the train station and bus station with the Castle and Cathedral Square.
Durham Cathedral
Raised up above the city on a rocky promontory, the Norman church is a sight to behold. Founded in 1093, the building has seen hundreds of years of political, social and religious intrigue, and more recently found fame when the cloisters doubled as Hogwarts in the Harry Potter films. Tours of the cathedral are available.

Durham Castle
Standing side by side with the cathedral, the ancient castle forms the other part of this unique and fascinating World Heritage site. Now home to University of Durham students, the grand site is best explored on a guided tour.

Crook Hall and Gardens
Just a short walk from the bustling market, the medieval Crook Hall dates back to the 13th century. A place of ‘history, romance and beauty’, laid-back living is the order of the day here, exploring the rooms and idyllic gardens before stopping for a cream tea in the courtyard café. Crook Hall is closed on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

Edinburgh
The ancient Scottish capital is a fitting final stop on this history tour. A scenic 2 hour train journey from Durham, Edinburgh’s rich heritage is evident the moment that visitors step off the train. From the many medieval charms of the Old Town to the elegant Georgian facades of Princes Street and the New Town, there’s a wonderful array of history, culture, art and Scottish eccentricities to discover.
For those wishing to spend some time exploring Scotland, an Explorer Pass will give them great-value access to 77 historic sites.
Edinburgh Castle
Presiding over the city from its lofty seat atop a rocky cliff, Edinburgh Castle is the city’s most iconic attraction, wowing visitors with its impressive views, legendary 1 o’clock gun salute and dazzling display of Scottish Crown Jewels.

Supplier Information
Name | Edinburgh Castle |
Category | Food, beverage & Entertainment Venues |
Profile | A Mighty fortress, the defender of the nation and a world-famous visitor attraction - Edinburgh Castle has dominated the skyline for centuries. And the high volcanic rock on which it stands has been occupied for thousands of years. |
Phone | +44 (0)131 225 9846 |
lisa.motion@hes.scot | |
Website | http://www.edinburghcastle.scot |
Frequency: | There are daily guided tours available. It is best to ask on the day the times of the tours. |
FIT or Groups: | FIT and Groups |
Translation: | Audio guides are available in English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Chinese - Mandarin, Japanese and Russian |
Royal Yacht Britannia
Used by The Queen and the Royal family for state visits and holidays for more than 40 years, The Royal Yacht Britannia is now berthed in the harbour of Leith. The no 22 bus from Princes Street stops here.

Supplier Information
Name | The Royal Yacht Britannia |
Category | Attraction |
Profile | The Royal Yacht Britannia, berthed at Leith in Edinburgh has been rated Scotland's Best Visitor Attraction for 11 years running and TripAdvisor's UK Top 10 for the last five years. The Queen's former floating palace for over 40 years, Britannia is now a five-star visitor attraction and exclusive evening venue. Step aboard and explore the ship's 5 decks. From the gleaming Engine Room to the State Apartments, where The Queen hosted glittering state banquets and receptions, as Britannia sailed a million nautical miles around the world on more than a thousand official visits. See where Prince William and Prince Harry spent their summer holidays every year. Where world leaders and celebrities were wined and dined. From Frank Sinatra and Liz Taylor to Presidents Mandela and Clinton. Visit the Royal Deck Tea Room for lunch or a cream tea, where everything is made on board in the original Royal Galleys. There's also a fantastic selection of gifts in the beautiful shop in Ocean Terminal Shopping Centre. Britannia's five decks are fully accessible and there is a FREE audio tour in 30 languages. Groups welcome, rates for groups of 15 or more. Please call for more information. |
Phone | +44 (0) 131 555 5566 |
enquiries@tryb.co.uk | |
Website | http://www.royalyachtbritannia.co.uk |
Edinburgh Historic Vaults Walking Tour
This fascinating guided tour reveals the vaults hidden beneath Edinburgh’s South Bridge and the darker side of the 18th Century boom years.

Edinburgh Dungeon
Edinburgh Dungeon is a thrilling attraction that offers 11 live action shows and 2 underground rides! It displays the city’s terrifying past for all to see, hear and smell, using chillingly amusing characters to bring stories to life.

Britrail
For those exploring Britain by train, a BritRail Pass is the easiest and most cost-effective way to travel. For a single fixed price, pass holders can make unlimited train journeys around the whole country or a region of their choice. BritRail tickets are exclusive to overseas visitors so they will need to buy their ticket before they arrive in the UK.