Great Rail Journeys
Explore Yorkshire
Escorted 5-day Yorkshire holiday from Harrogate with two heritage steam trains
5 daysfrom $533
40% rail
Great Rail Journeys · Escorted tour
Yorkshire & Northumberland
Tour Yorkshire and Northumberland on this 8-day escorted rail holiday. Travel on historic rail journeys including the Settle-Carlisle Railway.
Day by day
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
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
