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Lakes and Dales by Rail

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5 days From £499 £449 per person
4.1 stars(277 reviews)
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Enjoy the breathtaking panoramas of the north of England

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Save up to £100pp on selected 2024 holidays when you book by 13th December 2023.

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Mobility Rating 2

2024 Tour code: 24LKL

About the tour

From your base in Wetheral, travel on heritage railways, enjoy the striking countryside of the north and delight in the natural beauty of England's Lake District.

Sail across Lake Windermere to inspirational Bowness and the pretty village of Grasmere, once home to William Wordsworth. Enjoy a journey on the Settle to Carlisle Line to Skipton before a steam-hauled rail journey to Dalegarth, and end your adventure with a visit to Muncaster Castle, overlooking the River Esk.

Unforgettable Experiences

Settle to Carlisle Railway
Settle to Carlisle Railway
Journey through the Yorkshire Dales National Park on the Settle to Carlisle Railway, enjoying views of Pen-y-Ghent, Ingleborough, and the astonishing Ribblehead Viaduct.
Skipton
Skipton
Explore the charming market town of Skipton, with its famous 900-year-old castle, romantic ruined priory and historic cobbled High Street.
Lakeside & Haverthwaite Railway
Lakeside & Haverthwaite Railway
Travel on the Lakeside & Haverthwaite Railway to Lake Windemere through the awe-inspiring scenery of the Leven Valley.
Lake Windermere
Lake Windermere
Enjoy a scenic cruise on Lake Windermere to the bustling town of Bowness, and see Lake District fells, historic houses and beautiful ancient woodlands along the way.
Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway
Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway
Soak up the sights of scenic Eskdale on a steam-hauled journey on the Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway to Ravenglass, the only coastal village in the Lake District National Park.

What’s included

Itinerary

Day 1 - Lovely Wetheral

Begin your holiday at the Crown Hotel, Wetheral, where you meet your Tour Manager. Your hotel is situated in a picturesque village, close to the Scottish border and the city of Carlisle.

With time at leisure before dinner at the hotel this evening, you could get to know the village. Head out for a stroll along the banks of the River Eden, or seek out its 16th-century church, Benedictine priory, and traditional village green.

Includes
  • Dinner
Day 2 - The Lakeside & Haverthwaite Railway, a scenic Windermere cruise and popular Bowness

Journey by steam train from Haverthwaite to Lakeside today, on the southern shore of Windermere. As you travel, admire the passing lush green meadows, tranquil waters, and dramatic peaks that define the idyllic landscapes of the Lake District.

Reaching Lakeside, board a delightful cruise across Lake Windermere to the town of Bowness. Windermere is one of the Lake District's most famous bodies of water and is recognised by UNESCO for its outstanding natural beauty, which has been the muse for countless artists and writers throughout history.

In Bowness, you have time at leisure to explore the town that inspired the fictional setting of 'Rio' in Arthur Ransome's beloved novel series, 'Swallows and Amazons.' While here, you could visit the house of one of the Lake District's most renowned inhabitants, Beatrix Potter, and immerse yourself in her creative world.

On your way back to Wetheral by coach, you stop at pretty Grasmere. Close to Grasmere Lake, the village was once home to William Wordsworth and you could wander along the river or through the quaint streets. You could also treat yourself to a local speciality - Grasmere Gingerbread, which has been made here since 1854 using an authentic Victorian recipe.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 3 - The Settle to Carlisle Railway and charming Skipton

This morning, you enjoy a spectacular journey on the Settle to Carlisle Line to Skipton. Due to natural obstacles, it took seven years to complete this route before its opening in 1875. However, the scenery that made it difficult to complete is the very reason this journey is extraordinary and you experience it as the train cuts through hills, mountains, and valleys, over marshland and rivers.

Enjoy miles of untouched beauty from your seat as you enter the Yorkshire Dales and pass over the majestic Ribblehead Viaduct, one of the iconic landmarks of the Yorkshire landscape.

You're at leisure in Skipton and can explore the peaceful market town at your own pace. You could wander the cobbled streets lined with independent shops, cafes, and traditional pubs. In the town centre, you'll find Skipton Castle, a well-preserved medieval fortress which withstood a three-year siege during the Civil War.

After making the scenic return journey to Carlisle, your coach takes you back to Wetheral where you spend the evening. You could take this opportunity to dine in one of your hotel's restaurants, Walton's Bar and Eatery or the Conservatory Restaurant. Alternatively, head into the village and choose one of the local pubs or restaurants.

Includes
  • Breakfast
Day 4 - The Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway and historic Muncaster Castle

After breakfast, your coach takes you to Carlisle this morning where you board the train to Ravenglass. Heading south, you pass rolling green hills, delightful villages, and picturesque farmsteads before the scenery transforms into a stunning coastal panorama, with views of the Irish Sea.

In Ravenglass, you begin 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 originally opened in 1875 and boasts some truly incredible scenery. Enjoy fantastic views across endless hills and the highest mountain range in England, before you arrive at Dalegarth station.

From here, your coach picks you up and you head to Muncaster to visit its castle. Owned by the Pennington family for over 800 years and set in picture-perfect surroundings, this fortress is almost Arthurian in appearance, with square towers topped by parapets. Enjoy some time to explore before returning to the hotel for your final dinner this evening.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 5 - Homeward bound

After a leisurely breakfast, your holiday comes to an end today. Once you've checked out of your hotel and said goodbye to new friends you can explore further on your own or head home with some fantastic new memories.

Includes
  • Breakfast

Additional information

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

Crown Hotel Wetheral, Wetheral

Crown Hotel Wetheral, Wetheral

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Trains

Haverthwaite Railway
Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway
Settle to Carlisle Line

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UK rail connections
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Reviews

4.1 stars4.1 / 5 · 277 reviews

  1. 5 stars
    (102)
  2. 4 stars
    (113)
  3. 3 stars
    (48)
  4. 2 stars
    (7)
  5. 1 star
    (7)

A Hatt

3 stars

Submitted 23/Oct

Too much coach travel, compared with trains. Evening meal with limited menu disappointing: early start 6ish and had to be out quickly before full menu customers arrived. The Guide seemed somewhat disinterested at times.

Collected by Trustpilot

Jan J

4 stars

Submitted 5/Oct

Well organised holiday with a helpful 'Hostess'. An excellent hotel in Wetheral, and good choice menus, but a lift to the bedrooms would have been much appreciated for those less mobile!

Collected by Trustpilot

Pat G

4 stars

Submitted 5/Oct

Some lovely train journeys. Pleasant hotel.

Collected by Trustpilot

Bronwyn Mitchell

5 stars

Submitted 21/Sep

Excellent Good hotel. Excellent coaches. Rail travel was good also. We enjoyed

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Frederick

4 stars

Submitted 21/Sep

Too much "free time" at some locations! Hotel meals and drinks expensive. All the hotel staff were polite, friendly and helpful as was Ken, our tour guide, and the coach drivers. . Overall, a pleasant experience and friendly guests

Collected by Trustpilot

Anne Box

4 stars

Submitted 20/Sep

The hotel was great, the tours were very good, if a little long. Certainly reinforced my view that that part of the country is beautiful. AnneBox

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