Sign up for our email newsletter 
Request your free brochure 
6 days from £525
A Flavour of Yorkshire at Christmas 2013
The festive spirit of beautiful Yorkshire
Admire the rugged Yorkshire countryside on an evocative rail journey. Stay at the charming spa town of Harrogate on your Yorkshire Christmas rail holiday and soak up the historic atmosphere that sweeps through ancient sites. Explore the majestic Ripley Castle and Bolton Abbey as you discover their intriguing history. Watch the undulating hills and winter scenery of the Yorkshire Dales unfold as you ride in warmth and comfort on the Wensleydale and Embsay and Bolton Abbey railways. Enjoy the festive season at a relaxing pace, perhaps stroll around the beautiful Valley Gardens before sitting down at the hotel to a hearty Christmas dinner.
Day 1 - Arrive at Harrogate
Your Tour Manager greets you in Harrogate at the 4* Holiday Inn
Hotel. After checking in to the hotel, you are free to take a walk
through the pretty spa town, famed for Betty's Tea Rooms and its
charming boutiques or take a stroll through Valley Gardens before
dinner this evening. (D)
Day 2 - Christmas Eve
On Christmas Eve, we travel by coach to Leeming Bar, where we join
the heritage Wensleydale Railway. Travelling in restored
carriages, we pass through the beautiful scenery of the Yorkshire
Dales as we enjoy mulled wine and a mince pie at our seats. We then
transfer to Ripley for a guided tour of its castle, which has been
the seat of the Ingilby family for more than 700 years.
(B,D)
Day 3 - Christmas Day in Harrogate
Christmas Day is free for you to relax and enjoy the festivities at
your own pace. Following a leisurely breakfast, perhaps wander into
Harrogate and along the Stray, or visit the nearby Valley Gardens
to work up an appetite for our traditional Christmas Dinner, served
in the hotel with all the trimmings. After spending the rest of the
day at leisure, we indulge in a buffet dinner this evening.
(B,L,D)
Day 4 - Bolton Abbey by heritage railway
On Boxing Day we travel by coach to the scenic town of Embsay, for
a journey on the Embsay & Bolton Abbey Steam Railway.
The heritage train takes us through 4 miles of the dramatic scenery
of the Yorkshire Dales as we make our way to Bolton Abbey station.
Here we visit Bolton Priory, where we enjoy a guided tour. We see
the atmospheric remains of the priory, which was founded in 1120
AD, and the priory's impressive current church. We return to
Harrogate for dinner. (B,D)
Day 5 - York
On today's excursion we travel by train to nearby York, a beautiful city with Roman and medieval architecture in abundance. We discover more about this walled city and its centuries of history on a guided walking tour of the main sights, including the magnificent Gothic Minster and the quaint Shambles. Following the tour you are free to continue exploring at your own pace. The National Railway Museum (free entry), with its large collection of carriages and steam locomotives, should not be missed. Other popular options include the Jorvik Viking Centre, which features a recreated scene of York when it was capital of the Viking Kingdom, and Clifford's Tower. For alternative views of the city, walk along the city walls, or if you're feeling energetic, why not admire the panorama from the top of the Minster's central tower? (B,D)
Day 6 - Homeward bound
After breakfast your Tour Manager bids you goodbye and you are free
to leave Harrogate at your leisure. (B)
B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner
These meals, where shown, are included in the price of your holiday.
Availability & Booking
Loading, please wait...
Explore York on a Yorkshire Christmas Rail Holiday
As well as enjoying picturesque train journeys, you will also visit the medieval, walled city of York during your festive break. Amble around the meandering and narrow cobbled streets of the famous Shambles and admire the delightful shop windows that are filled with heart-warming gifts. A definite must-see when exploring York is the incredible Jorvik Viking Centre. Walk around fascinating recreated scenes and experience the authentic smells of the Viking Age as you discover the city's history on a Yorkshire Christmas rail holiday.
