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Welcome to Railtrail Tours

A family firm with an ethos of honesty and integrity. Our passion for delivering quality escorted holidays by rail at great value fares along with consistently excellent customer service has stood us in good stead for over 40 years.

Big on Quality, Small Enough to Care

01538 382323
Monday - Friday, 9am to 5pm

<img src="lakewindermere1©shutterstock.jpeg" alt="Lake Windermere"/>

Nostalgic Lakes & Mountains Explorer

Experience nostalgic railway journeys through spectacular scenery and along stunning coastlines in the Lake District enjoying vintage train rides including the world-famous Settle & Carlisle line across the fabulous Ribblehead Viaduct. Visit fascinating railway museums, relax on leisurely cruises across beautiful lakes, indulge in afternoon tea at the stately Leighton Hall, enjoy a distillery tour and tasting plus free time to explore the beautiful market town of Kendal.

View Dates & Book

8 days from £1459

 

DEPARTS

Monday 2 June 2025

Monday 15 September 2025

 

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

  • Relax on a leisurely cruise on Lake Windermere

  • Visit the fascinating Lakeland Motor Museum

  • Enjoy a vintage train journey through the picturesque Leven Valley

  • Indulge in afternoon tea at the historic Leighton Hall plus the opportunity to see the Birds of Prey Display

  • Steam on the "Owd Ratty" at Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway

  • Enjoy a guided tour at Ravenglass Railway Museum

  • Journey over the world-famous ‘Settle & Carlisle’ line

  • Cross the fabulous Ribblehead Viaduct

  • Cruise on a heritage ‘steamer’ across the stunning Ullswater Lake

  • Experience a tour and tasting at Lakes Distillery

  • Enjoy free time to explore the beautiful market town of Kendal

 

Also included in your Tour Fare:

  • 7 nights’ bed, breakfast & evening meal plus 1 afternoon tea

  • Services of experienced Railtrail Tour Manager

DAY 1

Arriving in the riverside city of Kendal, we take a short walk from the railway station to our hotel located by the river and enjoy our first evening meal together.

D

DAY 2

Today our private coach takes us on the short journey to Bowness on Windermere and, after enjoying a little sightseeing, we take a leisurely cruise to the southern tip of Lake Windemere. Following our scenic cruise, we take a trip down memory lane with a visit to the Lakeland Motor Museum complete with a 1920's garage, 1950's café, and over 140 classic cars and motorbikes plus the fascinating Campbell Bluebird Exhibition. We then board our vintage steam train to journey through the picturesque Leven Valley to the village of Haverthwaite before returning aboard our private coach to Kendal.

B, D

DAY 3

Today we journey to the traditional seaside resort of Morecambe where we have free time to relax and take a stroll along the seafront promenade. In the afternoon we travel to the historic yet homely Leighton Hall for a guided tour of this ancestral home plus a stroll through the gardens and we may have the opportunity (weather permitting) to watch the fantastic Birds of Prey Flying Display. We will also be treated to a traditional afternoon tea before returning to our hotel in time for our evening meal together.

B, LR, D

DAY 4

After breakfast this morning, we journey high over the hills to Dalegarth Station for a steam train ride on the 'Owd Ratty' through to the coast at Ravenglass. Here we enjoy a guided museum tour telling the 150-year history of the railway, affectionally known as the 'Ratty', which houses a collection of artefacts ranging from steam locomotives down to tickets and uniforms. We can sit back, relax, and enjoy more wonderful coastal vistas from the comfort of our seats as we return to our hotel by train for our evening meal.

B, D

DAY 5

Today we take to the rails for a wonderful circular train journey down the West Coast Mainline to Lancaster then through beautiful pasturelands to the historic market town of Skipton where we commence our journey over the world-famous 'Settle & Carlisle' line. This great journey climbs up through the Yorkshire Dales, crossing the fabulous Ribblehead Viaduct, the engineering marvel spanning Batty Moss, and passing Dent, the highest mainline station in England at 1,150ft. We enjoy some free time to explore the charming walled city of Carlisle before making our way back to Kendal.

B, D

DAY 6

Today is spent at leisure to explore and discover the beautiful market town of Kendal. You can relax in the hotel, visit the fantastic Kendal Castle, discover the vibrant and inspiring arts and culture scene, browse the unique shops, indulge in the café culture, or take a walk through the picturesque countryside.

B, D

DAY 7

After breakfast, we travel by private coach and tour the beautiful 'North Lakes' area beginning with a trip on one of England's most beautiful lakes, Ullswater, cruising across the lake on a heritage 'steamer' as we take in the stunning scenery of the Ullswater Valley. We enjoy time in the popular market town of Keswick on the northern shores of Derwentwater before continuing alongside Bassenthwaite Lake to the Lakes Distillery. Here we go behind the scenes on a guided tour learning about flavour creation and sampling their fantastic spirits before returning to our hotel for our farewell evening meal.

B, D

DAY 8

After breakfast it is time to bid farewell to Kendal and journey homeward.

*Important Note: Whilst the arrangements for all described steam train travel are in place, we do reserve the right to make substitutions should it be deemed necessary for whatever reason.

B

B=Breakfast, LR=Light Refreshments, D=Dinner

HOTEL

Riverside Hotel, Kendal

The charming Riverside Hotel is nestled on the banks of the River Kent close to the centre of the bustling market town and Kendal railway station. The restaurant is located on the first floor (accessible by lift) with wonderful river views and the leisure facilities include an indoor swimming pool, gym, sauna, and steam room. Most bedrooms have a lovely river view and are equipped with free Wi-Fi, TV, hairdryer, and tea/coffee making facilities.

 

FARES

Fare Region

First*

Standard

London: Euston

£1,789

£1,625

Greater London

£1,805

£1,639

South of England

£1,849

£1,669

East Anglia

£1,869

£1,669

South West

£1,805

£1,639

Heart of England

£1,689

£1,585

Midlands

£1,665

£1,569

Yorkshire

£1,679

£1,589

North East

£1,719

£1,615

North West

£1,635

£1,549

South Wales

£1,729

£1,599

North Wales

£1,729

£1,589

Scotland

£1,745

£1,609

 

*Please Note: Some local and regional train services are Standard Class seating only and First Class ticket holders will travel in standard class accommodation for these sections of their journey.

 

£30 tour discount for holders of National Railcards

Join & Leave at Hotel £1,489

Single Room Supplement £220

 

7 nights’ bed, breakfast & evening meal plus 1 afternoon tea

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

 

 

Important – Please select the number of passengers before proceeding to ‘Book Now’

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Contact Us
Railtrail Tours Limited
21 The Smithfield Centre, Leek
Staffordshire Moorlands, ST13 5JW
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