Call to book01904 734 939
Tour Search
#Favourites

Explore Yorkshire by Rail

Save
You are viewing the 2024 itinerary. Select your departure year
20242025
5 days From £449 £399 per person
4.1 stars(610 reviews)
Gallery
Map

Discover glorious Yorkshire from your base in Harrogate as you visit delightful towns, explore historic streets, and journey on heritage railways.

Save £50pp

Save £50pp on selected British Isles 2024 holidays, when you book by 2nd April 2024.

View terms and conditions

Mobility Rating 2

2024 Tour code: 24YHS

About the tour

There's a reason Yorkshire is known as God's own county, discover why on this picturesque adventure by steam. With timeless towns and cities, Yorkshire is packed with rural landscapes, ancient streets, and striking architecture just waiting for you to explore.

After checking into your hotel in the elegant town of Harrogate and exploring Whitby's legendary Abbey, enjoy a journey on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway through the idyllic countryside. Discover Yorkshire's hidden gems, uncover the literary genius of the Brontë sisters and unwind as beautiful scenery passes you aboard the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway.

Unforgettable Experiences

North Yorkshire Moors
North Yorkshire Moors
Journey along a picturesque route through the wild Yorkshire Moors on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway, into one of the world’s oldest railway tunnels.
Whitby
Whitby
Enjoy the charming coastal town of Whitby and explore the iconic Whitby Abbey, discovering why its ruins were the inspiration for Bram Stoker’s Dracula.
Keighley & Worth Valley Railway
Keighley & Worth Valley Railway
Travel on the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway, winding through five miles of scenic countryside immortalised by the Brontës.
Harrogate
Harrogate
Stay in the delightful spa town of Harrogate where you can indulge in spa treatments, stroll through beautiful gardens and admire the striking Victorian architecture.

What’s included

Itinerary

Day 1 - Elegant Harrogate

Your Yorkshire adventure begins at the edge of the Yorkshire Dales in Harrogate, an attractive Georgian spa town with a 200-year tradition of providing restorative treatments. Popular among fashionable Victorians, Harrogate still offers spa treatments today at its beautiful Turkish bath house. Meet your Tour Manager and the rest of your group at your hotel in time for dinner this evening.

Includes
  • Dinner
Day 2 - The coastal charm of Whitby & The North Yorkshire Moors Railway

This morning, you board a coach to Whitby, one of the county's most popular seaside resorts. Crowned by its brooding Abbey, Whitby is famous as the inspiration for Bram Stoker's Dracula, and for its unique jet jewellery.

With time at leisure here, you could visit the historic Benedictine Abbey, found at the top of 199 steps on the east cliff. For panoramic views across the town, harbour and ocean, head to St Mary's Church or you could simply stroll along the wide sandy beach and wooden pier.

Whitby is also known for having some of the UK's finest fish and chip restaurants, which you could enjoy before joining the nostalgic North Yorkshire Moors Railway*.

Travel in style on the restored heritage train and relax as views of heather-strewn moorland pass by. The scenic route follows the course of the Esk Valley, chugging by stunning countryside, quaint villages, and the timeless landscapes of the North Yorkshire Moors.

Along the way, you pass through delightful stations like Goathland, famous for its appearance as "Hogsmeade Station" in the Harry Potter films. After gazing at North Yorkshire's natural beauty from your window, you disembark at Pickering and join your coach for the journey back to your hotel.

*Some departures on this journey will be operated by diesel

**Please note: For departure 11/06/2024, there will be an itinerary change. The new sequence is Day 2 - The Keighley & Worth Valley Railway, Day 3 - Whitby and Day 4 - free day.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 3 - Explore Yorkshire at leisure

Today you're at leisure to discover Yorkshire at your own pace. You could take the train to nearby York, a historic walled city famous for its magnificent 12th-century Minster, one of the largest Gothic cathedrals in Northern Europe.

You could wander through the city's famous medieval alley - The Shambles, explore the well-preserved City Walls, or sail down the River Ouse on a boat trip. With The Jorvik Viking Centre and Castle Museum just a stone's throw from the city centre, you could also discover York's heritage through fascinating exhibits and historic artefacts.

Another way you could spend your day is by catching a train to the picturesque town of Knaresborough. It's easy to lose track of time here with unspoilt parks, like Mother Shipton's Cave and Bebra Gardens, that invite relaxation.

You could hire a boat and row down the River Nidd which flows beneath an ancient stone bridge and through peaceful scenery. Or, visit Knaresborough Castle to explore its grounds, walk along the castle walls, and enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding countryside and river below.

If you'd rather stay in Harrogate for the day, there are endless ways to discover more of the town. The Royal Pump Room Museum is a historic landmark and gives a chance to learn more about Harrogate's past as a popular spa destination.

One of the most attractive areas in the town is the Montpellier Quarter, where you'll find shops, galleries, and restaurants housed in grand Victorian buildings. Harrogate is also renowned for its beautifully manicured gardens and green spaces. A particularly stunning example that you could visit is RHS Harlow Carr, a botanical garden on the outskirts of town with a diverse range of plants and scenic walking trails.

*For departures on 01/09/2024 and 08/09/2024, your free day to explore Yorkshire at leisure will be moved to Day 4. On Day 3, due to the temporary closure of the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway, you will enjoy a return journey on the charming Embsay and Bolton Abbey Steam Railway instead.

Includes
  • Breakfast
Day 4 - The Keighley & Worth Valley Railway

Travel by coach to Ingrow today for a journey on the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway*. This trip takes you up the Worth Valley to Oxenhope, passing the beautiful scenery from the much-loved classic 1970 film 'The Railway Children'.

On-train commentary reveals more about the history of the railway and on arrival, there's a chance to visit the Vintage Carriage Museum and goods shed.

You then continue by coach to the village of Haworth, which is tucked away in the remote Pennine Hills. It was here, amid the wonderfully dramatic landscape, that the Brontë sisters lived and wrote some of their most famous works during the 19th century.

With time at leisure, you can experience the literary and scenic significance of the village. Unsurprisingly, the main attraction is the Brontë Parsonage Museum, which was the sisters' former home. You have entrance to the museum and can wander the rooms that are now filled with a collection of artefacts, manuscripts, and personal belongings.

Aside from the museum, Haworth has a range of independent shops, quaint tea rooms, and traditional pubs that you can experience. The stone buildings, cobbled streets, and narrow alleyways of the village create a distinctly old-world atmosphere making it a delight to explore.

*Some departures on this journey will be operated by diesel

** For departures on 19/05/2024 and 15/09/2024, due to the temporary closure of the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway, you will enjoy a return journey on the charming Embsay and Bolton Abbey Steam Railway instead.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 5 - Homeward bound

After breakfast this morning, it's time to say goodbye to Harrogate and head home. Before you do, you might like to visit one of the town's beautiful parks, such as the Valley Gardens, or step into Betty's Tea Room for some tea and a Fat Rascal.

Includes
  • Breakfast

Additional information

Please note - Departure information

Please note that the itinerary order may differ dependant on departure. Please call for more details.

Departure times

On many of our UK & Ireland tours, you may check in at the first hotel on your itinerary anytime after 14:00; your Tour Manager will be available between 16:00 and 18:00. However, if you are arriving later, you can meet your Tour Manager before dinner from 19:00.

Mobility information

Due to the nature of our tours they are generally unsuitable for those with restricted mobility. If you’d like to discuss any particular holiday with us in this respect, then please don’t hesitate to call us.

Hotel

Crowne Plaza

Crowne Plaza, Harrogate

View hotel

Trains

Keighley & Worth Valley Railway
North Yorkshire Moors Railway

Enhance your holiday

Upgrades

Rail travel to and from Harrogate
Extend your UK & Ireland holiday

Reviews

4.1 stars4.1 / 5 · 610 reviews

  1. 5 stars
    (238)
  2. 4 stars
    (233)
  3. 3 stars
    (102)
  4. 2 stars
    (22)
  5. 1 star
    (15)

R Adams

4 stars

Submitted 25 Oct 2023

The trip was really good especially our lovely tour guide Wendy Simms. On the whole the hotel was fine just a bit disappointed with the dull layout in the entrance otherwise a great holiday.

Collected by Trustpilot

L Mcewan

5 stars

Submitted 22 Oct 2023

It is too short for the money

Collected by Trustpilot

Jan Salter

5 stars

Submitted 22 Oct 2023

It was easy to book, well organised and value for the money.

Collected by Trustpilot

Andrew Cox

5 stars

Submitted 20 Oct 2023

very well organised with full clarity through out the break concerning the itinery.

Collected by Trustpilot

PAULINA TAYLER

4 stars

Submitted 19 Oct 2023

Excellent value for the cost of the holiday. Good outings.

Collected by Trustpilot

customer

4 stars

Submitted 17 Oct 2023

Excellent trips. Some organisational communication each day could have been better. There was confusion at times.

Collected by Trustpilot

Show 6 more reviews
European Escorted Holidays by Rail 2024

European Escorted Holidays by Rail 2024

The definitive guide to Europe 2024 rail holidays.

Download brochure
Related inspiration from our journey blog