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Great Rail Journeys · Escorted tour

Yorkshire & Northumberland

Eight-day escorted tour of Yorkshire and Northumberland via heritage and mainline rail

Illustration of Yorkshire & Northumberland

Great Rail Journeys operates this eight-day escorted tour of Yorkshire and Northumberland, beginning in the Victorian spa town of Harrogate and ending in York. Over six nights across two hotels, travellers stay three nights in Harrogate and three in the Northumberland countryside, with a UK Tour Manager providing guidance throughout. The itinerary blends heritage rail journeys with castle exploration and gardens: visitors board the nostalgic North Yorkshire Moors Railway from Grosmont to Pickering through heather-clad moorland, travel the renowned Settle-Carlisle Railway across the Ribblehead Viaduct with views of the Yorkshire Dales, explore the walled medieval city of York and its Minster, visit Whitby's Gothic abbey ruins, tour Alnwick Castle and its poisoned gardens, and discover the Holy Island of Lindisfarne with a mead tasting. All rail, coach, accommodation, breakfasts and dinners are included, along with entrance fees and guided tours. This tour suits history-loving couples and repeat rail travellers who prefer the comfort of a guided itinerary.

What to know before you look closer

  • The single supplement is £400 (30 percent above half the double rate), a substantial premium for solo travellers
  • Day 7 is unguided after arrival in York; you explore independently and arrange your own onward travel
  • The group size is capped at 30, larger than some escorted tours

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Harrogate

    Meeting up in the Victorian spa town of Harrogate

    Your holiday begins in Harrogate, where the Tour Manager waits to greet you at a beautifully restored Georgian hotel, close to the town's Turkish Baths, Royal Pump Room Museum and Valley Gardens. One of northern England's most attractive towns, nestled on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales, Harrogate retains many of its Georgian and Victorian features. After settling in, there's time to explore, maybe strolling across to the Valley Gardens, up Parliament Street to visit the famous Betty's Café Tea Rooms or to browse some independent shops before dinner in the hotel.

    Meals: Dinner

  2. Day 2railovernight: Harrogate

    Visiting Harlow Carr Gardens and timeless York

    This morning, we visit the inspiring gardens of RHS Harlow Carr, with its everchanging landscapes, fragrant wildflower meadows and colourful borders. Walk through the vast woodland and visit the Alpine House. We continue to the walled city of York for a guided tour of its cobbled streets, medieval, Victorian and Georgian architecture, and Viking and Roman heritage. Visit the glorious York Minster, one of Europe's largest Gothic cathedrals, with stunning stained-glass windows and the magnificent Chapter House. The rest of the afternoon is at leisure. Return to Harrogate by rail for dinner.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  3. Day 3railovernight: Harrogate

    Exploring Whitby and riding on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway

    Drive to the characterful harbour town of Whitby to discover the famous Abbey ruins, a 7th-century Christian monastery that later became a Benedictine abbey and the inspiration for Bram Stoker's 'Dracula'. Free time to explore the seafront, pier, harbour or RNLI Lifeboat Station. Later, coach to Grosmont to join the scenic North Yorkshire Moors Railway through Yorkshire's best-loved landscapes, ancient woodlands and heather-clad moors. Arrive in Pickering and transfer back to the hotel for dinner. *Trains are steam-hauled where possible; heritage diesel locomotives may run instead.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  4. Day 4railovernight: Northumberland

    A spectacular journey on the Settle-Carlisle Railway

    Drive to the market town of Settle to join the Settle-Carlisle Railway for a memorable trip through the Yorkshire Dales National Park. Cross the Ribblehead Viaduct and skirt the North Pennines, with views of Pen-y-Ghent, Ingleborough and Whernside. Arrive in historic Carlisle with free time for lunch. Board a train to Hexham, then continue by coach to the next hotel in the Northumberland countryside. Time to enjoy the hotel's spa facilities or walk around the grounds before dinner.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  5. Day 5overnight: Northumberland

    Exploring Alnwick Castle

    Drive to historic Alnwick Castle for a guided tour of its impressive staterooms and landscaped gardens. With more than 1,000 years of history, the castle has served as a military stronghold, royal residence and filming location for Harry Potter and Downton Abbey. Entrance included; guided tour of Renaissance-style staterooms and the poisoned gardens. Free time to wander the gardens with its lake and treehouse restaurant, and explore the town of Alnwick including Barter Books. Transfer back to the hotel for dinner.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  6. Day 6overnight: Northumberland

    Bamburgh Castle and spiritual Lindisfarne

    Drive across wild Northumberland countryside to Bamburgh for a private behind-the-scenes tour of the striking castle before it opens to the public, discovering the battlements, medieval great hall and the castle's museum collection. Then travel to the Holy Island of Lindisfarne, visiting Lindisfarne Priory and enjoying a tasting of the local mead produced on the island. Return to the hotel for a final dinner.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  7. Day 7rail

    Homeward bound

    After breakfast, board the train to York. Arriving in the city in the early afternoon, you may choose to spend more time exploring York's historic streets independently before making your way home.

    Meals: Breakfast

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Guided walk through medieval York, including entrance to York Minster, one of Europe's greatest Gothic cathedrals
  • Day 3Ride the North Yorkshire Moors Railway from Grosmont to Pickering through ancient woodlands and heather-clad moorland
  • Day 4Travel the Settle-Carlisle Railway across the Ribblehead Viaduct, with views of Pen-y-Ghent, Ingleborough and Whernside in the Yorkshire Dales
  • Day 6Private behind-the-scenes tour of Bamburgh Castle before public opening, followed by a visit to Lindisfarne Priory and a mead tasting on the Holy Island

Included

  • Expertise of a UK Tour Manager from start to finish
  • 6 nights' 3 & 4-star hotel accommodation
  • First & Standard Class rail travel
  • All rail and coach travel throughout the tour
  • Breakfast and dinner each day
  • All tour excursions including heritage rail journeys
  • Entrance to York Minster
  • Guided tour of Alnwick Castle staterooms and poisoned gardens
  • Private behind-the-scenes tour of Bamburgh Castle
  • Visit to Lindisfarne Priory and mead tasting
  • Visit to RHS Harlow Carr Gardens

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance

Questions travellers ask

Is rail travel included?
Yes. The tour includes first and standard class rail travel throughout, including the North Yorkshire Moors Railway heritage line and the Settle-Carlisle Railway
Is the tour escorted?
Yes. A UK Tour Manager from Great Rail Journeys accompanies the group from start to finish
What accommodation is provided?
Six nights in three and four-star hotels: three nights at Harrogate Inn in Harrogate, and three nights at The Linden Hall Hotel in Northumberland
What meals are included?
Breakfast and dinner are included every day. Day 7 includes breakfast only
Which castles and sites do we visit?
The tour includes guided entry to Alnwick Castle and its gardens, a private behind-the-scenes tour of Bamburgh Castle, Lindisfarne Priory with a mead tasting, and York Minster
When does this tour run?
Departures are scheduled in April, May, July, August, September and October 2027, with one departure in October 2026

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