How much does it cost?

From £1,299 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $1,755 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.

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

Great Rail Journeys · Escorted tour

Yorkshire & Northumberland

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

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.

Price history

Across 5 checks, this price has held at £1,299 every time.

Each point is a day we checked this operator's own page, not a weekly average, and the line holds flat between checks rather than guessing at movement we did not see. 3 of 5 points are a live read of the operator's page. Hollow points are values shown when the trip was first listed here and never confirmed with the operator.

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

Day 1overnight: Harrogate
Meeting up in the Victorian spa town of Harrogate
Your holiday begins in Harrogate, where the Tour Manager greets you at a restored Georgian hotel close to the Turkish Baths, Royal Pump Room Museum and Valley Gardens, with time to explore before dinner.
Day 2railovernight: Harrogate
Visiting Harlow Carr Gardens and timeless York
A morning visit to RHS Harlow Carr Gardens, then a guided tour of York including York Minster with its stained glass and Chapter House, before returning to Harrogate by rail for dinner.
Day 3railovernight: Harrogate
Exploring Whitby and riding on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway
A visit to Whitby's Abbey ruins and harbour, then a heritage steam journey on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway from Grosmont to Pickering before transferring back to the hotel for dinner.
Day 4railovernight: Northumberland
A spectacular journey on the Settle-Carlisle Railway
We drive to Settle to join the Settle-Carlisle Railway through the Yorkshire Dales, crossing the Ribblehead Viaduct to Carlisle, then continue by train to Hexham and coach to our hotel in the Northumberland countryside.
Day 5overnight: Northumberland
Exploring Alnwick Castle
A guided tour of Alnwick Castle's staterooms and gardens, with free time in the town of Alnwick, before returning to the hotel for dinner.
Day 6overnight: Northumberland
Bamburgh Castle and spiritual Lindisfarne
A private behind-the-scenes tour of Bamburgh Castle, then a visit to the Holy Island of Lindisfarne including Lindisfarne Priory and a tasting of local mead.
Day 7rail
Homeward bound
After breakfast we board the train to York, where you are free to explore further before making your way home.

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

Tour Manager: expertise of a UK Tour Manager from start to finish
Accommodation: 6 nights' 3 & 4-Star hotel accommodation
Transportation: First & Standard Class rail travel; heritage rail excursions; all rail and coach travel throughout your tour
Food & Drink: breakfast and dinner each day
Excursions & Entertainment: all tour excursions including heritage rail journeys

Not included

Cancellation & Travel Insurance

Questions travellers ask

How much does it cost?: From £1,299 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $1,755 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.
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