Touring the UK by Rail 2019

the W aterways

East Lancs Railway

© ELR

10 DAYS

DEPARTS

HOTELS Best Western Valley Hotel, Ironbridge A country house hotel situated in the heart of Ironbridge, providing a perfect base for visiting the Ironbridge Gorge Museums. With a Riverside setting and breathtaking views of the surrounding parkland, the hotel is a charming 44 bedroom Georgian listed building. Hallmark Inn, Chester Enter the Hallmark Inn Chester (formerly known as the Westminster Hotel) beneath their wrought iron sign and you’re stepping into a living breathing part of a beautiful historic city. Sitting on one of the grand routes that link its famous railway station and town centre, the mix of brick and Tudor Revival black and white detailing has been a stop for travellers for many years. It’s now an atmospheric 21st century hotel that’s located just a short stroll from the heart of Roman Chester’s heritage listed architecture, superb shopping and acclaimed restaurants. DAY 8 From Bradford we make the short train journey to Huddersfield, whose iconic station boasts a classical façade, flanked by two grand former booking offices of rival railway companies (now both pubs). Outside the station, a statue of Huddersfield’s most famous son, Harold Wilson, looks onto the George Hotel, the birthplace of Rugby League. Changing trains, we climb into the Pennines to Marsden , where a short walk along the towpath brings us to Standedge Tunnels and a boat trip into our fifth wonder, the longest, highest and deepest canal tunnel in Britain . DAY 9 Our busy final excursion heads first by train to Keighley for a steam ride through Brontë Country on the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway. Our return is punctuated at Bingley for a towpath walk along our sixth wonder, Bingley’s Five Rise Locks . Finally, we enjoy some free time at UNESCO World Heritage living Victorian village, Saltaire , where Salt’s Mill houses exhibitions from local artist, David Hockney before our farewell dinner at the hotel. (B,D) DAY 10 Bid farewell to Bradford as we make our way homeward. (B) © Mike Peel © STVCCRT

Standedge Tunnel

Monday 17 June 2019 Monday 16 September 2019

cruises , the mighty waterway that brought ocean- going freighters from around the world into the heart of the city. The route into Manchester passes lofty railway flyover bridges, locks and swing bridges on a breathtaking scale, as well as the third of our ‘Six Wonders’, the Barton Swing Aqueduct . The modern architecture of Salford Quays welcomes us to the city, after which we transfer for a night at the Best Western Oaks Hotel. (B,D) DAY 7 This morning we steam through the Lancashire hills along the River Irwell on the East Lancashire Railway , before returning to Burnley to visit the Weavers’ Triangle , situated on the Leeds Liverpool Canal where many buildings from the cotton industry remain. A local guide guides us along the towpath to walk part of Burnley Embankment , the fourth of our ‘Six Wonders’, which carries the canal 60 feet above the town centre. Our train from Burnley Manchester Road transports us across the Pennines from Lancashire to Yorkshire and a great railway hotel, Bradford’s Midland. (B,D)

FARES

FARE REGION London: Euston Greater London South of England

FIRST STANDARD RC £1385 £1295 -£10 £1425 £1315 -£10 £1435 £1320 -£10 £1455 £1335 -£15 £1430 £1320 -£10 £1365 £1285 -£10 £1260 £1235 -£5 N/A £1260 -£5 N/A £1315 -£10 N/A £1260 -£5 N/A £1285 -£10 N/A £1270 -£5 £1425 £1310 -£10

East Anglia South West

Heart of England

Midlands Yorkshire North East North West South Wales North Wales

Scotland

Join & Leave at Hotels

£1195

Best Western Oaks Hotel The Oaks Hotel in Burnley is set in relaxing grounds and a tranquil environment. It was once the private home of a wealthy local merchant and has been sympathetically restored to preserve the grandeur of a bygone era. Both the restaurant and bar are in the ‘old house’ and are perfect examples of how heritage can blend seamlessly with contemporary style with grand ornate ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows. Midland Hotel, Bradford Built between 1885 and 1890 by the Midland Railway Company, the Midland Hotel was a showpiece for the railway company’s northern operations, and is of particular architectural interest, with some of the finest Victorian interiors in the city. Today sees a hotel that has undergone a transformation, with investment to all areas of the building, restoring it to its original greatness. Single Room Supplement £225 9 nights’ bed, breakfast & Table d’Hôte 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 and admissions as detailed Services of experienced Railtrail Tour Manager Hotel Porterage

Anderton Boat Lift

Book now – online at www.railtrail.co.uk or telephone: 01538 382323

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