Northern Treasures Rail & Sail - 18th - 22nd May

Northern Treasures Rail & Sail

 

18^th – 22^nd May

 

This tour covers a splendid variety of magnificent scenery and contrasting countryside, with quaint Yorkshire towns and villages. We also feature a ride on the Wensleydale Railway, which re-opened after 50 years. Re-live rural railway travel as it used to be all those years ago! We also include a boat trip on the Tees to Yarm.

 

DAY ONE

 

• Depart from your home area in the morning travelling to the Northeast and arriving late afternoon at Blackwell Grange Hotel.

 

DAY TWO

 

• We travel over the moors, across Blakey Ridge, through picturesque Hutton-le-Hole to Pickering. Here we join the North Yorkshire Moors Railway for a steam train journey through rugged moorland to Whitby, passing through Goathland (featured as ‘Aidensfield’ in TV’s Heartbeat). Whitby is a maritime town, bursting with character and quite unique. Wander the alleyways and narrow streets and climb the steps up to Whitby Abbey.

 

DAY THREE

 

• We begin with a drive to historic Richmond, on the River Swale. Here you will find a castle, The Green Howards Museum and the Richmondshire Museum housing the set from ‘All Creatures Great and Small’. Leaving Richmond, we head for the Wensleydale Railway for a nostalgic ride through rural scenery from Leyburn to Leeming Bar. We rejoin the coach and head to Thirsk, home of James Herriot. Enjoy free time to explore the town before returning to the hotel for the evening.

 

DAY FOUR

 

• Our first visit today is to Preston Park and Hall Museum. Set in attractive parkland, the museum houses a delightful collection of memorabilia from times gone by. Take a walk back in time through the cobbled Victorian street and imagine life as it was in times past. At Preston Hall, we join the ‘Teesside Princess’ and take a gentle cruise on the River Tees through beautiful countryside to the cobbled town of Yarm, famous for its location within a horseshoe bend on the river and the awe-inspiring railway viaduct. In the afternoon, we drive through Bilsdale, known as ‘Little Switzerland’, past the Sun Inn, which has had the same landlord for 200 years! We then pass Rievaulx Abbey and drop into Helmsley with its 12th-century castle. On our way back to the hotel we journey over the spectacular Sutton Bank, giving you fantastic views of the moors and the Vale of York.

 

DAY FIVE

 

• After breakfast, we leave and begin our journey home.

 

Blackwell Grange Hotel Darlington ***

 

From the moment you first glimpse the impressive 1693 Georgian façade, you'll know you're somewhere truly special. The Blackwell Grange Hotel, a magnificent 17th-century mansion, is set in the picturesque County Durham countryside, offering an idyllic and historic escape.

 

Nestled amidst lush parkland on the outskirts of Darlington and perfectly situated between the North Yorkshire Moors and the Pennines, Blackwell Grange provides a tranquil haven just 45 minutes away from the historic cities of York and Newcastle. It’s the ideal retreat from the demands of daily life.

 

Whether you’ve spent the day exploring the Northeast or attending meetings, unwind and rejuvenate in The Spa at Blackwell Grange. Enjoy a dip in the heated swimming pool, relax in the jacuzzi, or indulge in our outdoor woodland sauna. For the ultimate relaxation, we also offer a range of luxurious treatments to help you fully unwind and recharge during your stay.

Price Includes

 

• Door-To-Door Pick Up Service

• Return Coach Travel

• Bed, Breakfast & Evening Meal

• A visit to Richmond

• A North Yorkshire Moors Railway Journey

• A visit to Thirsk

• A Wensleydale Railway Journey

• A visit to Whitby

• A visit to Preston Park & Hall Museum

• A Teesside Princess River cruise

• Free Time At Your Own Leisure