England tour by train

Planet

We are continually increasing our range of public transport vacations for those who want to leave the car behind. We grapple with the timetables of trains, boats and buses, and fill-in the gaps with short taxi transfers to make this possible in the more remote areas. Not having a car in-tow can transform your experience – exploring on foot and by bike helps you to properly engage with the environment and experience the place at a more appropriate, slower pace.

We actively encourage our customers to try local produce – and provide recommendations for the best places to visit to do this. An example on this trip is the historic Kings Arms in York - trying local produce and engaging with local purveyors is a focus on the trip.

The accommodation providers we select share this commitment – many have kitchen gardens growing their own herbs, salad and vegetables, and some even have chickens roaming in the grounds to provide eggs for breakfast. Dinner menus focus on local specialities.

We predominantly market our vacations via the internet. We produce a small quantity of compact brochures each year for past customers and inquirers. If we do have any left over, we ensure these are recycled.

We are corporate members of the John Muir Trust, an organisation committed to protecting the wild land of the Scottish highlands and islands.

People

For us, true sustainability means promoting and helping to maintain a way of life in remote, often rural locations, where the economic benefit from tourism can make a genuine difference. That’s why we work almost exclusively with local, family-run businesses, not with large corporate organisations.

On this trip, guests will stay in locally run B&B's in Haydon Bridge and York, where they are also given a pass which encourages them to explore many of the local museums and galleries.

We build close and lasting relationships with our business partners, based on mutual trust and an unerring commitment to customer satisfaction. On this trip we have included a number of private guided tours, all of which are led by local guides that we have handpicked due to their knowledge and dedication to their community.

We directly employ a small team of local people in Glasgow. We offer part-time and flexible working. We ensure staff undertake at least two recce visits in a year so that they have first-hand experience and knowledge of our products throughout Scotland, England and Ireland. All staff share our values of environmental and sustainable responsibility.

We are members of AITO, the Association of Independent Tour Operators, and adhere to their strict code of conduct.