How much does it cost?

From £695 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $939 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.

Is train travel included?

Yes. Rail travel and seat reservations from your home station to Harrogate and back are included. Day-to-day travel around Yorkshire uses coach rather than rail.

Is this an escorted or independent tour?

Escorted, with a Railtrail Tour Manager throughout. Free time in Harrogate on days 1 and 2 allows independent exploration.

What is included on the Castle Howard and York day?

Coach transport to Castle Howard, decorated for the festive season with a 25-foot Christmas tree, and on to York for festive charm, mulled wine, and The Shambles, before returning to Harrogate for the evening meal.

When does this tour run?

One departure is listed, in November 2026, from GBP 695 per person.

Railtrail Tours · Escorted tour

Yuletide Yorkshire 2026

Escorted 4-day Yorkshire Christmas tour based in Harrogate, York, Castle Howard

Railtrail Tours' Yuletide Yorkshire is a 4-day escorted festive tour based at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Harrogate for all three nights, with a Railtrail Tour Manager accompanying the group throughout. After arriving from your home station on day 1, day 2 leaves free time to explore Harrogate, including Betty's Tearoom, before a guided tour and gin tasting at Whittaker's Distillery and an evening coach trip to RHS Harlow Carr Gardens for the Glow illuminations. Day 3 travels by coach to Castle Howard, decorated for the festive season with a 25-foot Christmas tree adorned with over 3,000 baubles, then on to the medieval walled city of York for festive charm and mulled wine before returning to Harrogate. The operator rates the activity level as Leisurely. This short break suits travellers who want a single hotel base, a distillery tasting, and two festive day trips handled as a group, without needing to pack for more than one location.

What to know before you look closer

Days 1 and 2 include unguided free time in Harrogate to explore independently; stops like Betty's Tearoom are not included in the price.
No lunches are included on any day; only breakfast and evening meals are covered.
Only one departure is currently listed, in November 2026.

Day by day

Day 1overnight: Harrogate
Arrival in Harrogate
Journey from your home station to Harrogate and make our way to the Crowne Plaza Hotel, our hotel for the next three nights. Free time to explore before our first evening meal together.
Day 2overnight: Harrogate
Harrogate, Whittaker's Distillery and RHS Harlow Carr Glow
Free time to explore Harrogate, including Betty's Tearoom, before a tour and gin tasting at Whittaker's Distillery. Evening coach to RHS Harlow Carr Gardens for the Glow illuminations amidst a feast of colour and light. Return to Harrogate for our evening meal.
Day 3overnight: Harrogate
Castle Howard and York
Coach to Castle Howard, transformed for the festive season, with grand state rooms in festive finery and a 25-foot Christmas tree adorned with over 3,000 baubles. Continue to the medieval walled city of York for festive charm, mulled wine, and The Shambles, before returning to Harrogate for the evening meal.
Day 4
Departure
After breakfast, bid farewell to Harrogate and make your way to the station for homeward journeys.

The moments this trip is built around

Day 2Day 2: Tour and gin tasting at Whittaker's Distillery, followed by the Glow illuminations at RHS Harlow Carr Gardens.
Day 3Day 3: Visit to Castle Howard's grand state rooms, decorated for the festive season with a 25-foot Christmas tree adorned with over 3,000 baubles.
Day 3Day 3: Free time in York's Shambles with festive charm and mulled wine.

Included

3 nights bed, breakfast & evening meal
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
Services of experienced Railtrail Tour Manager

Questions travellers ask

How much does it cost?: From £695 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $939 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.
Is train travel included?: Yes. Rail travel and seat reservations from your home station to Harrogate and back are included. Day-to-day travel around Yorkshire uses coach rather than rail.
Is this an escorted or independent tour?: Escorted, with a Railtrail Tour Manager throughout. Free time in Harrogate on days 1 and 2 allows independent exploration.
What hotel am I staying in?: The Crowne Plaza Hotel in Harrogate for all three nights.
What is included on the Castle Howard and York day?: Coach transport to Castle Howard, decorated for the festive season with a 25-foot Christmas tree, and on to York for festive charm, mulled wine, and The Shambles, before returning to Harrogate for the evening meal.
When does this tour run?: One departure is listed, in November 2026, from GBP 695 per person.