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Glorious Yorkshire

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6 days From £799 £749 per person
4.3 stars(9 reviews)
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Explore historic York, wander beautiful gardens, and experience a scenic train ride on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway

Save up to £200pp

Save up to £200pp on selected British Isles 2025 departures, when you book by 25th November 2024.

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Mobility Rating 2

2025 Tour code: YYS25

About the tour

History, natural beauty and Yorkshire charm come together on this six-day getaway. From the ancient city walls of York to the rolling landscapes of the North Yorkshire Moors, explore the heritage of God's own county.

Explore grand gardens, historic abbeys, and seaside towns, while enjoying local delicacies. This expert itinerary is an ideal mix of guided tours and time at leisure, letting you take in every moment of your Yorkshire holiday at your own pace. Join us and discover the treasures of this region.

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Unforgettable Experiences

Taking in the Gothic ruins of Whitby Abbey
Taking in the Gothic ruins of Whitby Abbey
Discover Whitby's Gothic Abbey - which inspired Bram Stoker’s Dracula - and wander this harbour town at leisure.
Discovering York and its famous Minster
Discovering York and its famous Minster
Spend five nights in York experiencing the York Minster on a guided tour and hearing stories about the city's history on a riverboat cruise.
Walking through RHS Harlow Carr Gardens
Walking through RHS Harlow Carr Gardens
Relax in the oasis of the RHS Harlow Carr Gardens, wandering through the peaceful woodland beside colourful flower beds.
Riding the North Yorkshire Moors Railway
Riding the North Yorkshire Moors Railway
Journey on this picturesque railway route, passing through Goathland Station known as Hogsmeade Station from the first Harry Potter film.
Visiting Castle Howard
Visiting Castle Howard
Enjoy a guided tour of this 18th-century stately home with its Baroque architecture, extensive gardens, and stunning interiors.

What’s included

Itinerary

Day 1 - Arrival in York

Your holiday starts in York where you meet our welcoming Tour Manager at the city centre-based hotel. York is a historic city surrounded by ancient walls and filled with medieval alleys, traditional pubs, and local eateries. Its highlights include York Minster - which can be seen from almost everywhere in the city centre, and The Shambles - a narrow street with timber-framed buildings. The city also has a wealth of museums, including the Jorvik Viking Centre and the National Railway Museum. We gather with the group this evening for dinner at the hotel.

Includes
  • Dinner
Day 2 - Exploring Harlow Carr and Harrogate

This morning, our coach takes us to RHS Harlow Carr after breakfast. These expertly designed gardens reflect the Yorkshire landscape with trails, a log maze and tea rooms. Spend time here meandering around the diverse landscapes and beautiful plant collections before we rejoin the coach to Harrogate. You have the afternoon at leisure in this Victorian spa town. Visit one of the town's many museums and galleries, or head to the famous Betty's Tea Rooms, which originated in Harrogate, for a Yorkshire afternoon tea. Later this afternoon, we return to the hotel with some time to freshen up before dinner at the hotel this evening.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 3 - Whitby and The North Yorkshire Moors Railway

Whitby is one of the county's most popular seaside resorts and you can discover it at leisure this morning. After breakfast and a coach journey to this coastal gem, visit the historic Benedictine Abbey that inspired Bram Stoker's Dracula. You'll find it at the top of 199 steps on the east cliff. For panoramic views, wander to St Mary's Church or stroll along the wide sandy beach and wooden pier.

Whitby is renowned for its excellent fish and chip restaurants, which you could enjoy before we join the nostalgic North Yorkshire Moors Railway*. Travel in style on the restored heritage train and relax as views of heather-strewn moorland pass by. The scenic route follows the course of the Esk Valley, chugging by stunning countryside, quaint villages, and the timeless landscapes of the North Yorkshire Moors.

Along the way, we pass through Goathland station, famous for its appearance as 'Hogsmeade Station' in the Harry Potter films. Our journey ends at Pickering where our coach transfers us back to our hotel. The rest of your evening is at leisure and you could dine at one of York's many restaurants or pubs.

*Some departures on this journey will be operated by diesel

Includes
  • Breakfast
Day 4 - Discovering York

After breakfast, the coach takes us into the centre of York to visit the York Minster. One of the world's most magnificent cathedrals, we're shown this 13th-century masterpiece in stained glass and stone on a guided tour. Afterwards, there is time at leisure to get some lunch before our next taste of York - a city cruise. As we sail along the River Ouse through the city, learn more about its history from live, onboard commentary. The rest of your afternoon is free to discover more of York and dine independently. You could wander the medieval city walls, enjoy a peaceful walk by the River Ouse or visit the Museum Gardens. After dinner, you could join one of the city's famous ghost walks and learn why it is known as 'the most haunted city in Europe'.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 5 - Elegant Castle Howard

Today we drive to Castle Howard after breakfast. One of England's most well-known stately homes, it is set in the Howardian Hills and we enjoy a guided tour of its iconic architecture and beautiful interiors. After the tour, you can explore the estate at your own pace. Visit the Walled Garden, Atlas Fountain and Temple of the Four Winds - which has fantastic views across the hilly landscape. You could also enjoy lunch in the tea rooms before our return to York. During our final dinner at the hotel, we toast to our five memorable days in glorious Yorkshire.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 6 - Homeward bound

After breakfast, it's time to say our goodbyes and check out of the hotel. As you head home, carry with you the memories of beautiful Yorkshire - from the gardens at Harlow Carr and a leisurely afternoon in Harrogate to coastal exploration in Whitby followed by the North Yorkshire Moors Railway, historic discoveries in York, and a visit to the stately Castle Howard. Alternatively, you could continue exploring the county's countryside, historic towns, and villages independently.

Includes
  • Breakfast

Additional information

Departure times

Provisional departure and return times, where available, can be found together with our dates and prices by clicking on the 'Prices & Availability' button. We write to all booked customers approximately 10 weeks prior to the start of their tour to advise the exact departure and return time for their particular group.

Mobility information

Due to the nature of our tours they are generally unsuitable for those with restricted mobility. If you’d like to discuss any particular holiday with us in this respect, then please don’t hesitate to call us.

Hotel

Elmbank by Hilton, York

Elmbank by Hilton, York

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Train

North Yorkshire Moors Railway

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Reviews

4.3 stars4.3 / 5 · 9 reviews

  1. 5 stars
    (3)
  2. 4 stars
    (6)
  3. 3 stars
    (0)
  4. 2 stars
    (0)
  5. 1 star
    (0)

Mrs S Crowson

4 stars

Submitted 29 Oct 2017

The holiday was advertised as Yorkshire By Steam. However, on the Wednesday it was a diesel train! Also, I did not consider that the hotel was worthy of a four star rating. The main menu choices appeared to be thrown together. Paying £13 a day for the hotel car park is not really acceptable.

Collected by Great Rail Journeys

Mr G King

4 stars

Submitted 29 Oct 2017

Very good tour well balanced between railways and places of interest. Great coach driver who explained many the places we visited. Location of base hotel was very good easy access from York station on number 7 bus and walking distance to centre of York.

Collected by Great Rail Journeys

Mr B Copping

4 stars

Submitted 28 Oct 2017

All aspects were excellent apart from the hotel, which was adequate but a bit frayed round the edges.

Collected by Great Rail Journeys

Mr S Davidson

5 stars

Submitted 14 Oct 2017

excellent short break with good balance between organised activities and free time

Collected by Great Rail Journeys

Mr L Posner

5 stars

Submitted 07 Oct 2017

Well organised - great itinerary and good accommodation.

Collected by Great Rail Journeys

Mr D Bretherton

4 stars

Submitted 23 Sep 2017

Well organised and enjoyable

Collected by Great Rail Journeys

Show all 9 reviews
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