Yorkshire’S Literary Trails, Pretty Dales & Happy Valleys

Itinerary

Itinerary

Day 1: We arrive at our hotel, ideally located in the pretty spa town of Ilkley, in time for dinner. 

Day 2:  Our first visit of the day is to Grassington in the beating heart of the Yorkshire Dales and bursting with quintessential English countryside charm.  The bustling cobbled market square set against a backdrop of the undulating landscapes may be familiar to some as it was the setting for the fictional market town of Darrowby in TV’s All Creatures Great & Small. Our next stop is delightful Skipton with its picturesque quay and canal towpaths running through the centre of the town. There will be time to browse the many individual and unique shops, enjoy lunch and explore the town at your own pace. Our afternoon starts with a flourish as we embark on a leisurely 2 hour return canal cruise along the beautiful Leeds Liverpool Canal, enjoying commentary from our skipper and a cream tea served on board. 

Day 3: This morning we embark on a circular scenic drive, taking in the wonders of West Yorkshire’s most famous villages. Our first stop is pretty Hebden Bridge in the Upper Calder Valley, a filming location for the popular Happy Valley TV series. Here we have the chance to wander the bohemian streets, getting to feel the influence of artists and writers who have lived here in the last 50 years. We next travel to Keighley via picturesque Haworth, home of the famous Brontë sisters, and an undisputed literary mecca. In the afternoon we enjoy a one-way journey on the Keighley & Worth Valley railway. Travelling on heritage steam or diesel train through the stunning valleys this a unique way to experience the beautiful countryside immortalised by Charlotte, Emily and Anne Brontë as well as embracing the industrial history of the area. We return to our hotel with time to stroll into the pretty, traditional spa town of Ilkley where you can enjoy its independent shops, attractions and delightful cafes, including the famous Betty’s Tea Room. 

Day 4: Today we enjoy a spectacular return journey on the famous Settle to Carlisle Railway, one of the most scenic and impressive railways in the UK. We begin in Skipton settling down to enjoy a journey which carves its way through the magnificent landscape of the Yorkshire Dales before descending to Cumbria’s lush green Eden Valley with views of the Pennines and Lakeland Fells. We travel through 72 miles of unspoilt countryside, travelling through 14 tunnels and over 20 viaducts, including the famous Ribblehead Viaduct, with its 24 massive stone arches, 32 metres above the moor. We arrive in Carlisle, just shy of the Scottish border, at lunchtime and have some free time to explore one of the most northerly cities in Britain, with over 2000 years of history. Following our visit it’s time to board the train again to enjoy the breath-taking views once more on our return journey. 

Day 5: After a delicious, hearty breakfast, we make our way home.

Accommodation

Best Western Plus Craiglands Hotel, Ilkley, Yorksh

Full of character and located within walking distance from the traditional Yorkshire town of Ilkley, this 3 star Victorian hotel is to a modern and contemporary style and combines comfort and great facilities with a small, landscaped garden and a woodland path to Ilkley Moor.

All rooms are en-suite with TV, tea & coffee making facilities, hairdryer, safe and free Wi-Fi.Groups dine in the lovely feature ballroom and there is a brasserie restaurant, bar and outside terrace, all offering plenty of seating.

There is a lift to the second floor, however, due to the age of the building there are stairs to access some bedrooms.