Railway Tracks and Walking in the Yorkshire Dales
Railway Tracks and Walking in the Yorkshire Dales
Railway Tracks and Walking in the Yorkshire Dales
5 Days Starting and ending in United Kingdom
Visiting: Skipton, Embsay & Bolton Abbey Steam Railway - (Bolton Abbey Station), Keighley & Worth Valley Railway - (Oxenhope,Station), Haworth, Settle–Carlisle line, The Pennine Bridleway
Tour operator:
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Age range:
6-99
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
The charming market town of Skipton is our gateway to the fantastic rail journeys and stunningly scenic walks of the Yorkshire Dales. Step back to a bygone era aboard the Embsay & Bolton Abbey Railway and look out for all manner of wildlife as we walk the Bolton Abbey River Loop. Ride the heritage Keighley & Worth Valley Railway before following in the footsteps of the famous Brontë sisters walking in the heart of Yorkshire’s wild, sweeping moors. Our walk on the Pennine Bridleway promises more outstanding scenery as does a ride on the Settle-Carlisle Line.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Skipton
Location: Skipton
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: The Rendezvous Hotel
Meals Included: Dinner
Make your own way to our hotel in Skipton where you’ll meet an experienced Tour Manager. Enjoy a relaxing evening with dinner in the hotel.
Day 2 : Embsay & Bolton Abbey Railway And The Bolton Abbey River Loop Walk
Location: Embsay & Bolton Abbey Steam Railway - (Bolton Abbey Station)
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: The Rendezvous Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
The award-winning Embsay & Bolton Abbey Railway was once part of the former Midland Railway route from Skipton to Ilkley. This morning, we’ll relax in one of the beautifully restored Edwardian and Victorian carriages as we’re pulled by a vintage steam locomotive through some of Yorkshire’s finest countryside. We’ll alight at Bolton Abbey Station, which is the start of today’s walk.
The Bolton Abbey River Loop is part of the Dales Way, taking us along the River Wharf to Barden Bridge. This fantastic riverside walk through the Bolton Estate is a chance for us to see plenty of wildlife. Look out for a fascinating variety of birds, such as wagtails, oystercatchers, kingfishers, ducks and geese, as well as plenty of wild flowers. During the walk, we’ll see the river flow through a small gorge and have the chance to explore the Abbey ruins.
This is an easy 7-mile walk along mostly flat and well-marked paths, lasting approximately 3.5 hours. There is an option to shorten this – your Tour Manager and local guides will provide details if required.
We return to our hotel by coach and enjoy dinner this evening.
Day 3 : Keighley & Worth Valley Railway, Brontë Moor And Haworth
Location: Keighley & Worth Valley Railway - (Oxenhope,Station), Haworth
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: The Rendezvous Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
This morning, we board the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway for a fantastic one-way trip on this 5-mile branch line that was built to serve the mill trades in the late 19th century. Our journey starts in Keighley at the foot of the beautiful Worth Valley. In total we’ll see six stations, including the tiny station at Damens which once served a small mill nearby, and the charming station at Oakworth that shot to fame in the Railway Children. We alight in the Pennine village of Oxenhope surrounded by rolling hills and windswept moorland.
Lower Laithe Reservoir is the start of our Brontë Moor Walk. We’ll pass the Brontë bridge and waterfall as we walk to Top Withens before returning via the Pennine Way to the reservoir. The world of Wuthering Heights is brought to life in Haworth, home of the Brontë sisters.
This is a moderate 5.5-mile walk along country roads and well-marked paths with some hills, lasting approximately 3.5 hours. There is an option to shorten this – your Tour Manager and local guides will provide details if required.
We’ll have time to enjoy this delightfully quaint town before returning to Skipton, where dinner will be served in our hotel.
Day 4 : The Settle Line And The Pennine Bridleway
Location: Settle–Carlisle line, The Pennine Bridleway
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: The Rendezvous Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, we’ll take a leisurely stroll along the Leeds and Liverpool canal path to Skipton Railway Station, where we board the train and travel on a section of the Settle. Here, we begin our walk up onto the Pennine Bridleway to enjoy the beautiful views that stretch far and wide across the Dales. Along our route, we’ll pass a number of caves carved from limestone synonymous with this area. They include the famous Victoria Cave, which was discovered by chance in 1837, the year of Queen Victoria’s coronation. Archaeological finds from the cave include bones of long extinct animals dating back 130,000 years.
This is a moderate 6.5-mile walk along well-marked paths, some hills and bridleways, lasting approximately 3.5 hours. There is an option to shorten this – your Tour Manager and local guides will provide details if required.
There are also 1.5 mile walks each way between the hotel and Skipton station.
At the end of our walk, there is time to stop for coffee in the market town of Settle before we take the train back to Skipton.
Day 5 : Make Your Own Way Home
Location: Skipton
Meals Included: Breakfast
After a leisurely breakfast and checking out of our hotel, it is time to make your own way home.
What's Included
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Accommodation
As detailed in the itinerary
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Additional Services
Travel from a wide range of joining points across the UK is included within your coach holiday price; some carry a supplement. Please contact us for our full list of joining points.
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Meals
As detailed in the itinerary
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Transport
Comfortable, air-conditioned motorcoach
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Porterage at Hotels
What's Not Included
Accommodation
You will stay for four nights at the Rendezvous Hotel in Skipton.
Check out our Q&As
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Are children permitted to take part in the tour?
Yes, 6 years or above
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What is the fitness level required to do this tour?
Our walks are all easy to moderate in nature, and we therefore recommend that you have a reasonable level of fitness. It is also important to ensure you bring the right equipment with you. We suggest a pair of good quality walking boots, weather appropriate clothing including layers, a comfortable rucksack, and a water bottle. Walking poles are not essential but can aid climbs and descents.
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Will I know the names and details of all the accommodation before I depart?
Yes
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Are airport transfers included in this tour?
No
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes
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Will there be an escort accompanying this tour?
You can be assured of a high level of service and reliability from our expert-trained coach crews, who will be on hand to assist and escort you along the way
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Is there a limit to luggage that can be brought on the tour?
Your allowance is one medium sized suitcase per person, which should weigh no more than 20kg when full. Hand luggage should be stored in the overhead racks aboard the coach.
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Is there any free time to explore places during the tour?
As detailed in the itinerary
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Is the tour coach air conditioned?
Yes
1 Select your preferred date
Monday - Friday
Aug 19, 2024 - Aug 23, 2024Monday - Friday
Apr 14, 2025 - Apr 18, 2025Monday - Friday
Oct 06, 2025 - Oct 10, 2025Book with Confidence
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Low Deposit
Shearings requires a minimum deposit of 75 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 56 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of shearings charges.
Up to 56 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 55 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 42 days before tour starts: Forfeit 75% of booking price.
At 21 days before tour starts: Forfeit 90% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.