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Our Harrogate winter break visits Castle Howard to see the wonderful festive decorations and iconic 25-foot Christmas tree in the Great Hall adorned with over 3,000 baubles. We explore York's famous St Nicholas Fayre with over one-hundred traditional stalls scattered throughout the atmospheric streets. We enjoy festive afternoon tea as we steam through the Dales on the Embsay & Bolton Abbey Railway and visit the RHS Harlow Carr Gardens as dusk falls to view the beautifully illuminated trees.
View Dates & Book4 days from £545
DEPARTS
Thursday 21 November 2024
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
3-night stay at the Crown Hotel on a half board basis
Explore the Yorkshire spa town of Harrogate
Discover Castle Howard transformed for the festive season
Visit York’s famous St Nicholas Christmas Fayre*
Steam through the stunning winter scenery of Yorkshire Dales
Enjoy festive afternoon tea on the Embsay & Bolton Abbey Railway
View RHS Harlow Carr Gardens in a different light during the glow-winter illuminations
Also included in your Tour Fare:
Dinner every evening plus 1 light lunch
Rail travel & seat reservations from your Home Station to Tour Base (Standard or First Class)
Services of experienced Railtrail Tour Manager
DAY 1
Arriving in the spa town of Harrogate, we make our way to the Crown Hotel. We can explore the delightful spa town ahead of dinner.
DDAY 2
Today we travel by coach to Castle Howard, a house that is beautiful in all seasons but none more so than winter when the house is transformed for the festive season. Built over 300 years ago, the house has a rich and varied history and has been used as a popular film location including ITV's Victoria and Brideshead Revisited. During our morning we stroll through the grand state rooms dressed in their lavish festive finery and see the iconic 25-foot Christmas tree in the Great Hall adorned with over 3,000 baubles. In the afternoon we continue by coach to the medieval walled city of York where we enjoy the afternoon at leisure to explore the many attractions including York Minster, Jorvik Centre, and National Railways Museum. We can enjoy a mulled wine and take a stroll around preserved medieval streets of The Shambles and visit the St Nicholas Fayre* with over 100 traditional stalls, perfect for Christmas shopping. We journey back to Harrogate by train and return to our hotel for dinner.
B, DDAY 3
This morning is free to explore delightful Harrogate with its magnificent buildings, independent shops, and many attractions including the Royal Pump Rooms, Mercer Art Gallery and of course, the famous Betty's Tea Room. In the afternoon, a fabulous trip to the Dales awaits as we transfer first to Bolton Abbey for a ride on the Embsay & Bolton Abbey Railway* along the former Skipton-Ilkley Line, which was built in 1888. During our one-hour round trip we enjoy mulled wine and a festive afternoon tea as we sit back and admire the stunning Yorkshire winter scenery. Following our steam railway journey, we travel by coach to the RHS Harlow Carr Gardens and enjoy a winter walk around an illuminated trail as the magnificent trees and shrubs 'glow' as dusk falls before we return to our hotel for our final dinner.
B, LR, DDAY 4
We bid farewell to wonderful Harrogate and Yorkshire as we make our way homeward.
*Important Note: York Christmas market dates and the Embsay & Bolton Abbey Railway timetable are subject to change and have not been confirmed for 2024 at the time of tour compilation. We do reserve the right to make substitutions and changes to the itinerary should it be deemed necessary for whatever reason.
B=Breakfast, LR=Light Refreshments, D=Dinner
HOTEL
Crown Hotel, Harrogate
This historic 4-star hotel sits proudly in the centre of Harrogate, ideally located close to many of the town’s most popular sites including the Crescent Gardens, Betty’s Tearooms, and the Turkish Baths. All bedrooms are individually styled with tea/coffee making facilities and free Wi-Fi. Meals are served in the elegant Churchill room with oak panelled walls, stained glass windows, and ornate ceilings. The genteel surroundings of Henry’s Bar make it the perfect place for a relaxing night-cap.
FARES
| Fare Region | First | Standard |
| London: Kings Cross | £855 | £715 |
| Greater London | £879 | £729 |
| South of England | £935 | £759 |
| East Anglia | £935 | £759 |
| South West | £1,065 | £829 |
| Heart of England | £925 | £759 |
| Midlands | £795 | £665 |
| Yorkshire | £665 | £615 |
| North East | £795 | £685 |
| North West | N/A | £615 |
| South Wales | £975 | £779 |
| North Wales | £799 | £685 |
| Scotland | £929 | £759 |
*Please note: Some local and regional train services are Standard Class only, so First Class ticket holders will travel in standard class accommodation for these sections of journeys.
Join & Leave at Hotel £550
Single Room Supplement £99
£5 tour discount for holders of National Railcards
3 nights’ bed, breakfast & evening meal plus 1 light lunch
Rail travel & seat reservations from your Home Station to Tour Base (Standard or First Class)
Rail & coach transfer as described
All excursions as detailed
Services of experienced Railtrail Tour Manager
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