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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="wensleydalerailway1©shutterstock.jpeg" alt="Wensleydale Railway ©Shutterstock"/>

Nostalgic Yorkshire: Heritage & Herriot

Discover the heritage and history of Yorkshire on this nostalgic tour in the beautiful spa town of Harrogate. Journey on unique and scenic railways, explore the fascinating world of James Herriot, visit magnificent gardens, and enjoy free time to explore the quaint market town of Thirsk.

View Dates & Book

5 days from £795

 

DEPARTS

Tuesday 21 April 2026

Tuesday 29 September 2026

 

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

  • Stay in the heart of the Yorkshire spa town of Harrogate

  • Ride the unique Keighley & Worth Valley Railway

  • Visit the beautiful RHS Harlow Carr Gardens

  • Journey on the scenic Wensleydale Railway

  • Explore the historic market town of Thirsk

  • Step into the remarkable World of James Herriot

 

Also included in your Tour Fare:

  • 4 nights’ bed & breakfast plus 2 evening meals

  • Services of experienced Railtrail Tour Manager

DAY 1

Journey from your home station to Harrogate and, on arrival, we will make our way to the Crowne Plaza Hotel, our hotel for the next four nights. We enjoy free time to explore our new surroundings before meeting for our first evening meal together.

D

DAY 2

Today, we travel by train to visit the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway, a unique 5-mile branch line railway set in the heart of Yorkshire where you can ride to your heart's content with your day rover ticket. Journey through countryside made familiar through film, The Railway Children, or perhaps take a break to alight at the Brontë heritage town of Haworth with its cobbled main street and curio shops.

B

DAY 3

After breakfast this morning, we board our private coach and travel the short distance to RHS Harlow Carr Gardens where we enjoy a guided tour, take a walk along the colourful streamside plantings, admire the lavish herbaceous borders and wildflower meadows, and relax in the sweet-scented garden. Afterwards, we return to Harrogate and have the rest of the day at leisure, you may wish to relax at the hotel, explore this beautiful spa town, or indulge in an afternoon tea at Bettys Tearoom.

B

DAY 4

Today, we visit the Wensleydale Railway for our return journey through spectacular scenery to the meticulously restored Leeming Bar Station, home to the staff offices and engine shed where the locomotives and rolling stock are maintained and restored. This afternoon, we transfer to Thirsk, the birthplace of renowned author James Herriot and the fictional town of Darrowby. Here, we visit the World of James Herriot Museum, a unique and immersive experience where we can explore the TV set of 'All Creatures Great & Small' and 'The Yorkshire Vet' before returning to Harrogate for our final evening meal together.

B, D

DAY 5

After breakfast, we bid farewell to Harrogate and make our way to the station for our homeward journeys.

B

B=Breakfast, D=Dinner

HOTEL

Crowne Plaza Hotel, Harrogate

Ideally located in the centre of Harrogate, the Crowne Plaza Hotel offers the elegant Springs Restaurant serving delicious local and international dishes, a relaxing bar, and a fitness centre. The modern bedrooms provide an en-suite bathroom, a hairdryer, flat-screen TV, free Wi-Fi, and tea/coffee making facilities.

 

FARES

Fare Region

First*

Standard

London: Kings Cross

£1,019

£925

Greater London

£1,039

£935

South of England

£1,089

£959

East Anglia

£1,105

£965

South West

£1,195

£1,015

Heart of England

£1,079

£955

Midlands

£995

£895

Yorkshire

£929

£875

North East

£1,065

£949

North West

N/A

£879

South Wales

£1,125

£985

North Wales

£1,069

£949

Scotland

£1,055

£945

 

*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.

 

£15 tour discount for holders of National Railcards

Join & Leave at Hotel £810

September Departure Supplement £30

Single Room Supplement £240

 

4 nights’ bed & breakfast plus 2 evening meals

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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