How much does it cost?

From £1,625 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $2,195 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.

Is the train travel included?

Yes. Rail travel and seat reservations from your home station to Kendal are included, along with three heritage railway rides during the week: the Lakeside & Haverthwaite Railway, the Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway, and the Settle & Carlisle line.

Is this tour escorted or independent?

It is an escorted tour with an experienced Railtrail Tour Manager, based at one hotel in Kendal for all seven nights.

The Riverside Hotel in Kendal, for the full seven-night stay.

What meals are included?

Bed, breakfast, and an evening meal each of the seven nights, plus one afternoon tea at Leighton Hall.

Railtrail Tours · Escorted tour

Nostalgic Lakes & Mountains Explorer 2027

Lake District rail base tour on three heritage railways from Kendal

Railtrail Tours runs this eight-day escorted rail holiday from a single base in Kendal, in England's Lake District, with seven nights at the Riverside Hotel and a Tour Manager on hand throughout. Because you unpack once, the days settle into a steady rhythm of day trips rather than a change of hotel: a cruise on Lake Windermere and a vintage steam ride through the Leven Valley on day two, the 'Owd Ratty' narrow-gauge line from Dalegarth to Ravenglass on day four, and a circular train ride over the Settle & Carlisle line's Ribblehead Viaduct on day five. A full day is left free to explore Kendal at your own pace, and the final full day combines a heritage steamer on Ullswater with a distillery tour before everyone heads home. It suits travellers who want three heritage railways and a Lake District base without changing hotels each night, and who are comfortable with a moderate amount of walking around stations, museums and market towns.

What to know before you look closer

Day 6 is a full day at leisure in Kendal with no guided excursion included, so plan your own activities that day.

Day by day

Day 1overnight: Riverside Hotel, Kendal
Kendal
Journey from your home station to Kendal and check in to the Riverside Hotel for a seven-night stay.
Day 2railovernight: Riverside Hotel, Kendal
Windermere Cruise & Lakeland Motor Museum
Cruise to the southern tip of Lake Windermere, visit the Lakeland Motor Museum, then a vintage steam train through the Leven Valley to Haverthwaite.
Day 3overnight: Riverside Hotel, Kendal
Morecambe & Leighton Hall
Free time in Morecambe, then a guided tour of Leighton Hall with gardens, the Birds of Prey Flying Display, and a traditional afternoon tea.
Day 4railovernight: Riverside Hotel, Kendal
Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway
Steam train ride on the 'Owd Ratty' from Dalegarth to Ravenglass with a guided museum tour of the railway's 150-year history.
Day 5railovernight: Riverside Hotel, Kendal
Settle & Carlisle Line
Circular train journey via Lancaster and Skipton over the world-famous Settle & Carlisle line, crossing the Ribblehead Viaduct and passing Dent Station, with free time in Carlisle.
Day 6overnight: Riverside Hotel, Kendal
Kendal at Leisure
A day at leisure to explore Kendal, including Kendal Castle and the town's arts, culture and shops.
Day 7overnight: Riverside Hotel, Kendal
Ullswater Steamer & Distillery Tour
Coach tour of the North Lakes with a heritage steamer cruise on Ullswater, free time in Keswick, and a distillery tour and tasting.
Day 8
Homeward Journey
After breakfast, we bid farewell to Kendal and make our way to the station for our homeward journeys.

The moments this trip is built around

Day 2A vintage steam train carries the group through the Leven Valley to Haverthwaite, after a cruise on Lake Windermere and a visit to the Lakeland Motor Museum.
Day 4The 'Owd Ratty' steam train runs from Dalegarth to Ravenglass, followed by a guided tour of the railway museum's 150-year history.
Day 5A circular train journey crosses the Settle & Carlisle line's Ribblehead Viaduct and passes Dent Station on the way to Carlisle.
Day 7A heritage steamer cruises Ullswater before a distillery tour and tasting in the North Lakes.

Included

7 nights bed, breakfast & evening meal plus 1 afternoon tea
Services of experienced Tour Manager
Rail travel & seat reservations from your Home Station to Tour Base (Standard or First Class)
Rail & coach travel, with transfers as described
All excursions & admissions as detailed

Questions travellers ask

How much does it cost?: From £1,625 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $2,195 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.
Is the train travel included?: Yes. Rail travel and seat reservations from your home station to Kendal are included, along with three heritage railway rides during the week: the Lakeside & Haverthwaite Railway, the Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway, and the Settle & Carlisle line.
Is this tour escorted or independent?: It is an escorted tour with an experienced Railtrail Tour Manager, based at one hotel in Kendal for all seven nights.
Which hotel is used?: The Riverside Hotel in Kendal, for the full seven-night stay.
What meals are included?: Bed, breakfast, and an evening meal each of the seven nights, plus one afternoon tea at Leighton Hall.