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The Railway Touring Company · Escorted rail tour

Snowdonia and the Northern Fells - July 2026

Eight-day steam rail tour through Cumbria and North Wales

Illustration of Snowdonia and the Northern Fells - July 2026

The Railway Touring Company's eight-day tour celebrates the steam railways of Cumbria and North Wales, starting and finishing in Liverpool with bases in Caernarfon, Portmeirion, and Llandudno. Day 2 is the centerpiece: the Cumbrian Mountain Express charter, a main-line steam train that climbs through the Lake District to Shap Fell, then runs the Settle & Carlisle Railway over a succession of viaducts. The following days move into Wales, riding seven heritage railways of increasing charm, from the narrow-gauge Ffestiniog Railway through Snowdonia to the unique Great Orme Tramway. Along the way, guests visit Caernarfon Castle, explore Portmeirion (the village from "The Prisoner"), and spend free afternoons in Llanberis and Caernarfon itself. Accommodation is in 3 or 4-star hotels with most meals included and a Tour Manager throughout. This tour suits experienced rail travellers and history enthusiasts, particularly those who relish heritage railways and want a fully planned itinerary without the need to navigate independently.

What to know before you look closer

  • Only one departure is listed: July 2026.
  • Day 5 free afternoon in Caernarfon means limited structured activity after the castle visit.
  • The from-price is GBP 2,275 (USD 3,038); confirm current exchange rates and any supplements before booking.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Liverpool

    Exploring Liverpool

    Tour begins at a City Centre Hotel in Liverpool, opposite Lime Street Station, your base for two nights. Free time to explore the city; dinner at the hotel.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Liverpool

    The Settle to Carlisle Railway

    Join the 'Cumbrian Mountain Express' charter train at Lime Street Station; breakfast served at your seat. Steam locomotive taken on at Carnforth, via the Lake District and Lune Valley, ascending to Shap Fell summit, descending through Penrith North Lakes, with a two-hour break in Carlisle. Then the Settle and Carlisle Railway via Langwathby, Culgaith and Ais Gill summit through Dent Dale, past over twenty viaducts and fourteen tunnels including the 24-arch Ribblehead Viaduct. Four-course silver-served dinner on the return to Liverpool.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Caernarfon

    Steam along the North Wales Coast

    Reserved First-Class seat on the 'North Wales Coast Express' steam special from Liverpool Lime Street via Warrington and Chester, then along the Dee Estuary and Irish Sea coast past Prestatyn, Rhyl and Colwyn Bay to Bangor. Road-coach transfer to Penrhyn Castle for a short visit, then on to Caernarfon for dinner and overnight.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Caernarfon

    Llanberis Lake Railway and Snowdon Mountain Railway

    Transfer to Llanberis for a 5-mile return trip on the Llanberis Lake Railway along Lake Padarn, then free time in Llanberis village. Short visit to Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch for photos at the railway sign, then a steam-hauled trip on the Snowdon Mountain Railway. Return to Caernarfon via Menai Bridge for dinner and overnight.

  5. Day 5overnight: Caernarfon

    Caernarfon Castle and free afternoon

    Group visit to the 13th-century Caernarfon Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, then a free afternoon to explore Caernarfon. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Portmeirion

    Steam on the Welsh Highland Railway

    Journey on the Welsh Highland Railway from Caernarfon through western Snowdonia to Porthmadog, lunch at a local restaurant, then on to Portmeirion (filming location of 'The Prisoner') for a free afternoon, dinner and overnight at The Hotel Portmeirion.

  7. Day 7railovernight: Llandudno

    Ffestiniog Railway, Conwy Valley Line and Betws-y-Coed

    Coach transfer from Portmeirion Hotel (after breakfast) to the narrow-gauge Ffestiniog Railway to Blaenau Ffestiniog, then coach to Betws-y-Coed in the Conwy Valley with free time and a visit to Swallow Falls, before transferring to Llandudno for dinner and overnight.

  8. Day 8

    Great Orme Tramway and return to Liverpool

    Ride the 3'6" gauge Great Orme Tramway, Britain's only cable-hauled street tramway, from Llandudno Victoria Station to Great Orme Summit Station, then coach back to Liverpool via Chester for the homeward journey.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2The Cumbrian Mountain Express climbs to Shap Fell through the Lake District and Lune Valley, with a steam locomotive and breakfast at your seat, then crosses the Settle & Carlisle Railway over more than twenty viaducts.
  • Day 3The North Wales Coast Express in First Class runs from Liverpool along the Dee Estuary and Irish Sea, passing Rhyl and Colwyn Bay to Bangor.
  • Day 4A steam-hauled trip on the Snowdon Mountain Railway climbs from Llanberis to the summit of Snowdon.
  • Day 6The Welsh Highland Railway steams from Caernarfon through western Snowdonia to Porthmadog, then overnight at The Hotel Portmeirion.
  • Day 8The Great Orme Tramway, a 3 foot 6 inch gauge cable-hauled street tramway (Britain's only), ascends from Llandudno Victoria Station to Great Orme Summit Station.

Included

  • 7 nights' accommodation with breakfast in 3 or 4-star hotels
  • 6 breakfasts in hotels and one on the train
  • 6 dinners
  • 1 lunch
  • All train and heritage rail travel as detailed in the itinerary
  • All seat reservations and coach transfers
  • The services of a Tour Manager

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. The package includes all train and heritage rail travel as detailed in the itinerary: the Cumbrian Mountain Express, North Wales Coast Express, Llanberis Lake Railway, Snowdon Mountain Railway, Welsh Highland Railway, Ffestiniog Railway, and Great Orme Tramway.
Is the tour escorted?
Yes. The Railway Touring Company provides a Tour Manager throughout the 8 days.
What is included in the price?
Seven nights in 3 or 4-star hotels, six hotel breakfasts and one train breakfast, six dinners, one lunch, all train and coach transfers, and the Tour Manager's services.
Which train is the highlight?
The Settle & Carlisle Railway on Day 2, a main-line steam charter with breakfast at your seat, crosses over twenty viaducts including the 24-arch Ribblehead Viaduct.
How much walking is involved?
Days include walking in Llanberis and Caernarfon villages, free time to explore, and a visit to Swallow Falls. Specific distances are not detailed.
When does this tour run?
July 2026 only, based on current departures listed.

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