2021 Tour code: 21LKL
About the tour
From your base in Carlisle, travel on heritage railways, enjoying the rugged countryside in the north of England, including the world-famous Lake District.
Highlights
What’s included
Itinerary
Begin your holiday at the Hallmark Hotel in Carlisle, where you meet your Tour Manager. Close to the Scottish border, Carlisle is a city surrounded by beauty. With the Lake District, the Yorkshire Dales, and Hadrian's Wall just a train ride away, this is the perfect place from which to explore.
Carlisle dates back to Roman times and boasts a myriad of ancient buildings and beautiful architecture. Carlisle Castle, a sturdy fort built during the reign of William II, son of William the Conqueror, is well worth a visit. Many of the streets are also infused with more modern history, thanks to Carlisle's place as a centre of textile manufacturing during the Industrial Revolution, when Carlisle also became a hub for the railways. Your hotel is situated just outside the gorgeous Grade II listed station.
Additional information
Hotel
Trains
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Reviews
3.8 / 5 · 44 reviews
R Smith
Submitted 21/Jun
if there was a minus star then that's what I would have given this holiday. The holiday, even taking in the fact of Covid19 was a complete let-down from start to finish. All but one of the trains were changed to diesel engines and the one steam train we went on, was a narrow gauge train built for midgets or children. The hotel was one of the worse I have come across. I can stand 'shabby chic', I can't stand absolute filth. My advice don't do it
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Alan Radford
Submitted 20/Jun
This trip is excellent as it combines regional and cultural experiences with trips on both preserved and main line rail travel with the latter used several times which does not seem to occur on other holidays. It also is based out of a hotel right next to Carlisle main line station which is excellent for railway enthusiasts and is also in the city of Carlisle itself which is also a bonus! An altogether good experience and I must mention the hotel staff. Their attention to us was exceptional, the meals excellent and after such a difficult time for the their trade and for their personal lives thanks to the scourge of covid, their upbeat enthusiasm had to be seen to believed. I do hope even more of these holidays are based at the same hotel to help recognise the determination and commitment of the staff. Thank you all. A final thanks to Tom the group leader. His quiet approach but very high level of availability at the key moments during the trip was very encouraging and reassuring. Thanks Tom. A good experience and well recommended. Regards to all, Alan Radford
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Brian Mclean
Submitted 19/Jun
Very good a lot was put into the tour
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Judith McPherson
Submitted 18/Jun
Shame the hotel was so shabby, disorganised and poorly stocked, with booked twin room not available on arrival first night, hence three star rating. However, we were lucky with the weather and thoroughly enjoyed the lovely scenery together with the varied and interesting Itinerary. The tour guide was helpful and the trips were efficiently organised.
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Mr Alder
Submitted 18/Jun
we enjoyed our first experience on Rail Discoveries based at Carlisle. the hotel was just gearing up after being closed for a year and they appeared to improve as the days passed. Tom, our guide was very helpful and made sure we all got on trains and coaches at the right time. The 2 steam railways were particularly good and Muncaster Castle is a gem and well worth discovering!
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Customer Tony at East Bierley Cricket Club
Submitted 18/Jun
A great few days, thank you. It was however very tiring. Maybe this was due to the early starts each day, but on the whole very well worth it. We even visited placers I had never heard of before, what a wonderful place Britain is. Our Tour Manager Tom Harforth worked tremendously hard with the Covid restrictions making his job even harder. Our only criticism was the hotel. More than a little tired and need of some renevation. The quality of the food was to say the least poor. The staff on the other hand were brilliant, and a quiet word of complaint was accepted and worked on to correct things by the next day. A big improvement by the end of the holiday. So 4 stars overall, with one knocked off for the food.
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Europe & UK Escorted Holiday by Rail 2021
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Enjoy the breathtaking panorama of the spectacular north of England
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