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Explore Yorkshire by Rail

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20232024
5 days From £379 £329 per person
4.1 stars(587 reviews)
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Discover glorious Yorkshire from your base in Harrogate as you visit delightful towns, explore historic streets, and journey on heritage railways.

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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.

Tour Highlights

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

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.

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

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

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Trains

Keighley & Worth Valley Railway
North Yorkshire Moors Railway

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Reviews

4.1 stars4.1 / 5 · 587 reviews

  1. 5 stars
    (223)
  2. 4 stars
    (225)
  3. 3 stars
    (102)
  4. 2 stars
    (22)
  5. 1 star
    (15)

Mrs Barlow

5 stars

Submitted 13/Sep

well organised, relaxing, very enjoyable. Pity it wasn't longer!

Collected by Trustpilot

G Young

5 stars

Submitted 13/Sep

Brilliant holiday, very well organised, our Tour guide manager Alistair was excellent, we met some very nice people and the landscape was superb. We will book another holiday with this company.

Collected by Trustpilot

Helen Brodie

5 stars

Submitted 8/Sep

I thoroughly enjoyed this trip, the itinerary was great and the tour guide was very helpful and informative. The hotel was excellent and the group friendly.

Collected by Trustpilot

Steve Janes

5 stars

Submitted 8/Sep

My wife and myself are not rail enthusiasts. We liked the idea of an escorted holiday break which was something different. We found most of our group were of the same as us, but this was a great holiday break. From our tour manager, Alistair, who was always on hand if needed, to our coach driver, Neil, who gave his wit and knowlegde in equal measure as we toured the Dales.

Collected by Trustpilot

John Vickers

5 stars

Submitted 5/Sep

Very enjoyable tour.

Collected by Trustpilot

P King

4 stars

Submitted 5/Sep

Good value and friendly ,capable guide. Efficient hotel staff , room clean and spacious , and any slight problems with evening meals were soon corrected Coach driver on tours was excellent, and itinary included places we had planned to visit for some time. We did see that twice a month there are guided tours around The Kursaal (the royal hall) in Harrogate ,one of which coincided with our visit and would have been good to include We hope to book another tour for 2024

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