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Enjoy a fantastically festive tour to Yorkshire staying in the beautiful spa town of Harrogate. Discover Castle Howard in all its Christmas glory, sail through the beautiful countryside at Skipton, indulge in a festive afternoon tea, and experience the enchanting glow-winter illuminations at RHS Harlow Carr Gardens plus free time to explore the medieval city of York.
View Dates & Book4 days from £695
DEPARTS
Wednesday 25 November 2026
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
Stay in the heart of the Yorkshire spa town of Harrogate
Discover Castle Howard transformed for the festive season
Explore the medieval walled city of York
Sail through scenic countryside on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal
Indulge in a festive afternoon tea
Experience the glow-winter illuminations at RHS Harlow Carr Gardens
Enjoy festive charm with free time in Harrogate
Also included in your Tour Fare:
3 nights’ bed, breakfast & evening meal
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 three nights. We enjoy free time to explore our new surroundings before meeting for our first evening meal together.
DDAY 2
Today, we travel by coach to the impressive 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, 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. This afternoon, we continue to the medieval walled city of York where we enjoy time at leisure to experience the festive charm, treat ourselves to a warming mulled wine, and stroll the charming streets of The Shambles - perfect for Christmas shopping - before returning to Harrogate in time for our evening meal together.
B, DDAY 3
After breakfast this morning, we enjoy free time to explore delightful Harrogate with its magnificent buildings, independent shops, and famous attractions including Betty's Tearoom. Afterwards, we make our way to Skipton for a gentle cruise along the Leeds & Liverpool Canal, the longest canal in Northern England at 127 miles, enjoying an afternoon tea on board as we sail through beautiful countryside. This evening, we travel by coach to RHS Harlow Carr Gardens for an enchanting festive experience as we wander through the Glow illuminations amidst a feast of colour and light from magnificent trees to shimmering shrubs. Afterwards, we return to Harrogate and enjoy our final evening meal together.
B, LR, DDAY 4
After breakfast, we bid farewell to Harrogate and make our way to the station for our homeward journeys.
*Important Note: Castle Howard and RHS Harlow Carr dates have not been confirmed for 2026 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
FARES
| Fare Region | First* | Standard |
| London: Kings Cross | £909 | £809 |
| Greater London | £929 | £819 |
| South of England | £979 | £845 |
| East Anglia | £995 | £855 |
| South West | £1,089 | £905 |
| Heart of England | £969 | £845 |
| Midlands | £885 | £785 |
| Yorkshire | £815 | £759 |
| North East | £949 | £835 |
| North West | N/A | £765 |
| South Wales | £1,019 | £875 |
| North Wales | £955 | £835 |
| Scotland | £945 | £835 |
*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 £695
Single Room Supplement £190
3 nights’ bed, breakfast & evening meal
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
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