Lakes and Dales by Steam

Carlisle

Begin your holiday at the Hallmark Hotel in Carlisle, where you meet your group and Tour Manager. Located right near the border of Scotland, Carlisle is a city surrounded by beauty. With the Lake District, the Yorkshire Dales, and Hadrian's Wall all located just a train ride away, this is the perfect city in which to start your explorations of some of England's most significant areas of beauty.

Carlisle's history dates back to Roman times, and, as such, it boasts a myriad of historic buildings and beautiful architecture. Carlisle Castle, a sturdy fort that has been put to use many times over the years in its defence of England, was built during the reign of William II, son of William the Conqueror. But many of the streets are infused with more modern history, thanks to Carlisle's place as a centre of textile manufacturing during the Industrial Revolution, the time when Carlisle became an epicentre for the railways. Your hotel is situated just outside the gorgeous Grade II listed station.

Windemere

Day 2 sees you journey by steam train from Haverthwaite to Lakeside, which sits on the southern shore of stunning Windermere. A delightful railway trip, the Lakeside & Haverthwaite Railway winds through the beautiful sights of the English countryside, on a spectacular 3.2-mile-long journey that was part of the Furness Railway when it opened in 1869.

Upon arrival in Lakeside, head to the marina where you board a boat and enjoy a trip across the lake to Bowness.

Windermere is one of the Lake District's most famous bodies of water. The glittering lake is surrounded on all sides by stunning scenery, a location recognised by UNESCO for its outstanding natural beauty that has been inspiring artists and writers for centuries. Enjoy the sights of the hills and mountains that slope dramatically from the shores. Swathes of woods and moorlands cover them, causing the surrounding views to vary in colour from brown, to purple, to a stunning and vibrant green.

You have free time in Bowness. The town is famous for inspiring the fictional town of 'Rio' in Arthur Ransome's most famous series of novels, 'Swallows and Amazons'. You will also see an attraction dedicated to one of the Lake District's most renowned inhabitants, Beatrix Potter, who created a magical world of woodland animals that have enthralled children for generations. Visit the pretty village of Grasmere before returning to your hotel. This village, by Grasmere Lake, is associated with the 'Lake Poets', for being home to William Wordsworth and his sister Dorothy.

The Settle to Carlisle Railway

Enjoy a spectacular journey on the wonderful Settle to Carlisle Railway today.

It took 7 long years to complete this railway before its opening in 1875, thanks to the incredibly unforgiving landscape it traverses. Cut through hills, mountains, and valleys, over marshland and rivers; the very scenery that gave construction workers so much difficulty is exactly what makes the line so beautiful and worth travelling on today.

Enjoy the miles of untouched beauty you can see from your carriage as the line enters the Yorkshire Dales and passes over the majestic Ribblehead Viaduct. Watched over by atmospheric Whernside, one of Yorkshire's highest peaks, the Ribblehead Viaduct was opened in 1876 and stretches over 1,300 feet over the boggy land below. This viaduct is one of the undoubted icons of the Yorkshire landscape today. After some time in the pretty market town of Skipton, you return to Carlisle.

Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway

After breakfast, take a steam-hauled rail journey to Dalegarth aboard the Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway. One of the oldest minimum-gauge heritage railways in England, the line was originally opened in 1875 and boasts some truly incredible scenery. Enjoy fantastic views across verdant fields, undulating hills, and the highest mountain range in England, before continuing to Ravenglass.

This afternoon transfer to Muncaster, where you visit Muncaster Castle. Owned by the Pennington family for over 800 years, this fortress is almost Arthurian in appearance, with square towers topped by crenellated parapets. Enjoy some free time to explore before returning to your hotel.

Homeward bound

Today, you bid a fond farewell to Carlisle. After a final breakfast together at the hotel, your tour comes to an end and you are free to depart, or perhaps continue exploring this charming area at leisure.

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.