Rail Discoveries Yorkshire by Steam

• Fully escorted by a UK Tour Manager from start to finish
• All rail and coach travel throughout your tour
• 4 nights’ hotel accommodation in Harrogate or York with breakfast and 4 dinners
• Guided tour of York
• Journey on the Keighley & Worth Valley Steam Railway
• Visit the Brontë Parsonage
• Journey on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway
• Free time in Goathland, also known as Heartbeat’s ‘Aidensfield’
• Excursion to Whitby, one of Yorkshire’s best-loved seaside towns

Day 1: Harrogate

Your discovery of Yorkshire begins in Harrogate, an attractive Georgian spa town with a 200-year old tradition of providing restorative treatments. Particularly popular amongst the wealthy and fashionable in the Victorian era, Harrogate still offers spa treatments today. Here you meet your Tour Manager at your hotel. Situated at the edge of the Yorkshire Dales, Harrogate is ideally located for exploring the region, and after settling in, you are free to begin your explorations of the town before this evening’s dinner in the hotel.

Day 2: Historic York

Take the train to nearby York today, and admire this beautiful city with its Roman and medieval influence in abundance. Discover more about this walled city and its centuries of history on a guided walking tour of the main sights. During the tour you see landmarks such as the magnificent Minster, which is one of the largest Gothic cathedrals in Northern Europe. With its wide nave and chapter house, the Minster features stunning stained-glass windows, and can be seen towering over the surrounding crooked medieval buildings from almost everywhere in the city, but is most impressive when observed up close. You also take in the quaint Shambles, one of the world’s best preserved medieval streets. Lined with overhanging timber-framed buildings, some of which date back to the 14th century, the Shambles is one of the most famous cobbled streets in York.

Day 3: The North Yorkshire Moors Railway

Today, we board the coach for today’s excursion to Whitby, one of Yorkshire’s most popular seaside resorts. On our way to this iconic Yorkshire location, you stop off at Goathland, better known as ‘Aidensfield’ in TV’s Heartbeat. The journey continues through hidden valleys and open heather moorland as the coach makes its way to the charming fishing port of Whitby. Crowned by its brooding Abbey, the town is famous as the setting of Bram Stoker’s Dracula, which incorporated local folklore to heighten the spooky tale. Known for its beautiful Whitby jet jewellery, this seaside resort boasts dozens of jewellery shops selling authentic jet accessories. Home to some of the UK’s finest fish and chip restaurants, Whitby is a town divided by its harbour and the River Esk Estuary.

Day 4: Worth Valley and the Brontës

You travel by coach to Keighley, where you enjoy a nostalgic journey on the heritage Keighley & Worth Valley railway. The steam-hauled trip takes you up the Worth Valley to Oxenhope, passing the rugged hills, rustic stone cottages and wild farmland immortalised in the 1970 film ‘The Railway Children’, which was filmed here.

The on-train tour guides tells you more about the history of the railway whilst you pass through the West Yorkshire countryside. You also have a chance to visit Vintage Carriage Museum in Ingrow and the goods shed in Oxenhope. You then continue to the picturesque village of Haworth, surrounded by beautiful moorland and the Pennine Hills.

Day 5: Homeward bound

After breakfast you are free to depart from Harrogate, but perhaps take the time to visit one of the town’s beautiful parks, such as Valley Gardens, Betty’s Tea Rooms, or the well-known Victorian Turkish Baths first.

The Crown Hotel, Harrogate

Situated on the edge of the town centre, The Crown Hotel is just a short walk from Harrogate’s famous Turkish Baths, Betty’s Tea rooms, Valley Gardens and its Victorian arcades and boutique shops. One of Harrogate’s numerous grand Victorian hotels, The Crown offers guests elegant public areas, a bistro, bar and a restaurant.

Please note, prices listed are guide prices only and are based on 2 people sharing and don’t include any additional supplements. Holiday prices are fluid and dynamic and may be changed at a moment’s notice, prior to booking, at which point they are confirmed. Please call the team free on 0800 707 6229 for more departure dates available and a quote.