Yorkshire at New Year

Make your way to the 4-star Old Swan Hotel in Harrogate, our home for the next six nights, where your Tour Manager will be waiting to greet you. You are free to get acquainted with the Spa Town of Harrogate, renowned for its independent boutiques and Betty's Tea Rooms, before dinner together this evening.

• Dinner

We travel to Pickering today, to join the gorgeous and iconic North Yorkshire Moors Railway, the most visited heritage railway in England. On board, we enjoy a dining experience, including three delicious courses, as we wend and wind our way through the startlingly beautiful scenery of the Yorkshire Moors. Travelling through the wild countryside, we cross the moors on our way to Whitby, crowned by the eerily beautiful abbey.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Today we travel to nearby York. Steeped in history we discover more about this walled city as we meet our local guide for a fascinating walking tour around the major sights. Our guide shares their passion for the city as we pass the Minster - York's majestic Gothic cathedral - explore the charming cobbled streets of the Shambles and discover the city's incredible history. Following the tour the rest of your afternoon is free to continue exploring this fascinating city. Why not visit the wonderful National Railway Museum (free entry) where you can see exhibits such as a Japanese Bullet Train and a number of Royal carriages? Take in the view from Clifford's Tower or return to York Minster, the largest gothic cathedral in Northern Europe. Alternatively enjoy a stroll along the Shambles, regarded as one of the best preserved medieval streets in Europe.

• Breakfast, Dinner
• York Tour

On New Year's Eve we travel west by coach to join the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway. The steam railway climbs through the attractive valley and sloping hills to Haworth. On arrival in Haworth we visit the Brontë Parsonage, now a museum, which was the home of the world's most famous literary family between 1820 and 1861, and was where Wuthering Heights and Jane Eyre were written. We return to the hotel for a gala buffet and dancing.

• Breakfast, Dinner
• Keighley & Worth Valley Railway
• Brontë Parsonage

On New Year's Day the emphasis is on relaxation. After a leisurely breakfast you are free to wander into Harrogate and along The Stray or visit Valley Gardens. Harrogate has beautiful parks and an abundance of historic buildings, that date back to the time when the town first rose to prominence thanks to its spa waters. We enjoy full afternoon tea and dinner at the hotel.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today a coach transfer takes us to the World Heritage Site of Fountains Abbey. Set within the beautiful estate of Studley Royal, Fountains Abbey is the largest abbey ruin in the country. This area of outstanding natural beauty boasts ten historic buildings, a water garden and visitor centre all within the grounds. You are free to explore these independently before we return to the hotel.

• Breakfast, Dinner
• Fountains Abbey

After breakfast our tour concludes and you are free to leave Harrogate at leisure, but make sure you do not leave before treating yourself to a cup of tea and a Yorkshire Fat Rascal at the famous Betty's Tearooms.

• Breakfast