Castles Home & Gardens
Discover the magnificence of England's heritage and the tranquil beauty of its gardens. With a variety of day tours to choose from, allow the British Pullman to transport you to some of the finest examples from the treasure trove of Britain's past.
Tours and Trips
Click on the pictures below for more information on tours and trips.
Beaulieu Motor Museum - 2008
From $510 USD
Your journey takes you to Beaulieu, situated in the heart of the New Forest and home to the Montagu family since the 16th century. The Palace House and gardens are open to the public and the 13th century Abbey's exhibition of monastic life and the National Motor Museum with 200 exhibits depicting the history of motoring, contrast the past with the present. [more information]
Visit the home of the 11th Duke of Marlborough and birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill with its striking Great Hall, State rooms and 55 metre Long Library. This journey is steam-hauled. [more information]
The year is 1933 and you have stepped back in time aboard the British Pullman carriages of the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express. Intrigue is in the air as you anticipate your visit to Brighton and the jewel in Brighton’s crown - the Royal Pavilion.
During the journey you will meet all the suspicious characters embroiled in a dastardly plot. What is going on? It’s a mystery. [more information]
Your journey aboard the British Pullman takes you to Chartwell, the home of Sir Winston Churchill from 1924. The house is redolent with atmosphere and full of documents, maps and other memorabilia.
A glass of chilled champagne is served as soon as you board the British Pullman. This is followed by a three-course lunch accompanied by half a bottle of wine. [more information]
Your journey takes you to Chatsworth, home of the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire. The house and gardens you will see have evolved gradually over the centuries and have been open to visitors virtually since the first house was built in 1552.
Brunch with Bucks Fizz is served on your outward journey. On arrival at Chesterfield you will be met by guides for the coach transfer to Chatsworth. Here you are free to explore the house with its magnificent decor and furnishings and the extensive grounds designed by Capability Brown at your leisure. [more information]
Explore the 1930s RAF base at Duxford, home to the Imperial War Museum’s collection of historic and military aircraft. Although best known for its 180 historic aircraft, today Duxford’s 7 acres of indoor exhibition space includes on of the finest collections of tanks and military vehicles. [more information]
Your journey takes you to Harewood House, home to the Lascelles family for over 200 years. Designed by John Carr of York between 1759 and 1772, its spectacular interiors were designed by Robert Adam. The house contains an extensive collection of Chippendale furniture and a fine art collection and stands in acres of grounds landscaped by Capability Brown. [more information]
Your journey takes you to Hever Castle, the magnificent 13th century childhood home of Anne Boleyn; one of the most beautiful and dramatic examples of period architecture containing a collection of fine furniture, tapestries and other works of art. The grounds encompass formal gardens and a lake. [more information]
Your journey takes you to two contrasting gardens deep in the countryside. Great Dixter is an extended medieval manor house set in gardens created by Lutyens and now tended by gardening writer Christopher Lloyd. Hole Park has large formal gardens dating back to the 1920s as well as woodland walks. [more information]
Your journey takes you to Leeds Castle, romantically standing over two islands in a lake. This 'lady's castle' of six of England's medieval queens has been described as "the loveliest castle in the world".
You will be met by your guide at London Victoria who will accompany you on the coach transfer to Leeds Castle. On arrival your are free to visit the castle and grounds at your leisure and can enjoy coffee and a Danish pastry before joining the coach for the journey onto Folkestone where the British Pullman train awaits. [more information]
Set in the rural Weald of Kent surrounded by picturesque countryside and ancient parkland, Penshurst Place and Gardens has changed little over its 670 year history. This mediaeval masterpiece has been the seat of the Sidney family since 1552 and retains the warmth and character of a much-loved family home. Another of Penshurst's splendours is the 11-acre formal walled garden, with records dating back to 1346. One of the oldest gardens in private ownership, it remains much as it was when constructed by Sir Henry Sidney in the Elizabethan era. [more information]
Your journey takes you to the beautiful city of Salisbury, where the magnificent Cathedral dating back to the 13th century provides a graceful centerpiece to the city and Wilton House, home of the Earls of Pembroke since the 16th century. Brunch with Bucks Fizz will be served on the outward journey. On arrival at Salisbury, you will be met by your guide who will accompany you on the coach to Wilton House. After your tour of the house there will be time to explore the beautiful grounds before the coach leaves for Salisbury. Enjoy a guided tour of Salisbury Cathedral before travelling onto Warminster Station, to rejoin the British Pullman. [more information]
Your journey takes you to Sissinghurst, where Vita Sackville-West and her husband Harold Nicolson transformed a few derelict buildings and a near wilderness into an imaginable and beautiful series of gardens, with the Tudor tower and two cottages as a centrepiece. [more information]
This Renaissance-style château, built in 1874, is the creation of Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild. Housing some of the finest examples of French 18th century decorative arts, the manor’s furniture and porcelain collection rival New York’s Metropolitan Museum and Paris’ Louvre in terms of importance. The manor is further enhanced by a fine collection of paintings by Gainsborough, Reynolds and the Dutch masters. Delightful gardens perfect the French experience. [more information]
Your journey takes you to the Royal Horticultural Society Garden at Wisley, which is famous to gardeners all over the world and provides delight and inspiration for its many visitors.
Your guide will meet you at London Victoria and accompany you on the coach journey to Wisley. On arrival at Wisley, you are free to look around the many gardens and glasshouses at your leisure or browse in the excellent shop and garden centre. You will rejoin the coach for the transfer to Southampton where you will board the British Pullman for the return journey to London. [more information]
Information & Reservations
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Rail News & Updates
The British Pullman takes its name from George Mortimer Pullman, an American, who in 1864 built The Pioneer, the first railway carriage designed with true comfort for the passenger. The later creation of the Pullman Car Company in 1882 led to his domination of luxury train travel in Britain from that time onwards.