Yorkshire Rail, Sail & A Stately Visit

Itinerary

Exploring Yorkshire

DAY 1 - After joining your holiday coach, you travel north to Yorkshire to check into your hotel for your 4 night stay. Welcome drink on arrival DBB

DAY 2 - 4 At leisure in Yorkshire with three included excursions. 

INCLUDED EXCURSIONS
Pennine Explorer - Rail & Sail & Skipton (all tours)
Off to Embsay today for a ride back in time behind a vintage locomotive. Settle back in beautifully restored Victorian and Edwardian carriages and enjoy a unique view of some of Yorkshire's finest countryside on a round trip via Bolton Abbey. Then it's off to Skipton -  the charming Dales town with immense history, a rich culture, independent shops, food & drink places galore, an iconic castle, stunning countryside and, perhaps most of all, friendly, fiercely proud and passionate Yorkshire people. Enjoy an included trip aboard a narrow boat on the Leeds to Liverpool Canal to gain an insight into the town's central role in the busy waterways of the industrial revolution. 

Keighley & Worth Valley Railway & Haworth (June tour)
Head off to Keighley, a pretty town, nestled between the charming countryside of Airedale and the Haworth Moorland. The town is the terminus of the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway and you will enjoy a nostalgic trip about this lovingly restored heritage line. The railway line is most famous for its role in the 1970 film version of The Railway Children. (NB diesel scheduled to operate in September) Disembark in lovely Haworth, a picturesque village surrounded by dramatic moorland and a haven for independent businesses, art galleries, boutiques and then an array of places to eat and drink. Spend your time browsing up and down the cobbled Main Street and fans of the Brontë sisters may want to visit the Brontë Parsonage, home to the Brontë family from 1820 and now a beautifully preserved museum (entrance not included - approx. £12 in 2023 - pre-booking may be required). Return to Ilkley for some time to explore the town, a great little place to relax and treat yourself. There are excellent restaurants and independent shops selling everything from gifts to vintage clothes and books. Maybe enjoy afternoon tea at the famous Bettys Cafe and Tea Rooms or take a stroll in Riverside Gardens, alongside the River Wharfe, a lovely park in which to spend some time. The Ilkley Toy Museum (entrance approx. £4 pp in 2023) is bursting with childhood memories (I used to have one of those….)

Wensleydale Railway & Grassington (September tour)
Today, we will head to Leeming bar for an included rail journey on the Wensleydale Railway, travelling to Leyburn.  We will leave Leyburn and make our way through the Yorkshire Dales National Park via Hawes to Grassington.  Grassington is a small market town within the Yorkshire Dales and was the fictional market town of Darrowby during the filming of Channel 5’s ‘All Creatures Great and Small’.  After our visit here, we will return to the Hotel.


Ripley Castle with Light Lunch (all tours)
Situated about 3 miles from Harrogate on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales National Park, this historic landmark Castle and Estate make for a fascinating visit in a beautiful location. Home to the Ingilby family for over 750 years, the castle's history is one of political, military, religious and social turbulence, of plague and persecution, of renaissance, enlightenment and industrial revolution - a tale of romance, courage, loyalty and recklessness. A 45-minute guided tour is included and there will be time to explore the grounds including the large Victorian walled garden. A light sandwich lunch is included.

NB The castle is a listed building and there is therefore no lift in the house. A staircase leads up to the first floor. Anyone unable to access the first floor may like to watch a DVD film of upstairs rooms

DAY 5 - After breakfast, bid farewell to Yorkshire as you head south to interchange and onward to your home towns

NB Railway journey may be by steam of diesel and timetables are subject to change. Please be advised that this itinerary has been planned well ahead of the holiday season in 2024 and there could be changes to train timetables and operations

Tour Highlights

• Hotel for 4 nights with breakfast & dinner
• Welcome drink & porterage on arrival
• Ride on Embsay & Bolton Abbey Steam Railway (all tours)
• Skipton Canal Cruise (all tours)
• Ride on Keighley & Worth Valley Railway (June)
• Ride on Wensleydale Railway (September)
• Visits to Skipton & Haworth (June)
• Visit to Grassington (September) 
• Entrance & guided tour of Ripley Castle (all tours)
• Light Sandwich lunch at Ripley Castle (all tours)

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Accommodation

Your Hotel 3 Star

Best Western Plus Craiglands Hotel, Ilkley
This charming 3* hotel has been welcoming people from around the world for more than 150 years. Timeless in appearance yet full of the mod cons you need for a wonderful stay, this grand Victorian hotel remains the ideal place for a relaxing break, combining comfort and excellent facilities in 6 acres of beautifully landscaped grounds and woodland. Comfortable guest rooms offer free WIFI, TV and tea / coffee making facilities. There is a lift to all floors, restaurant and bar.

NB The hotel has introduced a Go Green Initiative which means guestrooms are serviced every other day. Should you require require additional room servicing or amenities during your stay, please contact reception Back to top