Lakes & Dales by Rail

Your holiday begins as you arrive independently at the Crown Hotel, Wetheral, meeting the Tour Manager and the rest of the group. Situated in a picturesque village, close to the Scottish border and the city of Carlisle, this is the perfect base for our explorations.

With time at leisure before dinner at the hotel this evening, you could get to know the village. Head out for a stroll along the banks of the River Eden, or seek out its 16th-century church, Benedictine priory and traditional village green. This triangular green is dominated by the ornate brick-built Eden Bank constructed in 1834 and features Wetheral Cross standing in one corner.

• Dinner

After breakfast, we transfer by coach to Haverthwaite where we board a steam train* to Lakeside, on the southern shore of Windermere. As we travel, admire the passing lush green meadows, tranquil waters and dramatic peaks that define the idyllic landscapes of the Lake District.

Reaching Lakeside, a cruise takes us across Windermere to the town of Bowness. Windermere is one of the Lake District's most famous bodies of water and is recognised for its outstanding natural beauty, which has been the muse for countless artists and writers throughout history. In Bowness, there is time at leisure to explore the town. While here, you could visit the house of one of the Lake District's most renowned inhabitants, Beatrix Potter, and immerse yourself in her creative world.

On our way back to Wetheral by coach, we pause in pretty Grasmere. Close to Grasmere Lake, the village was once home to William Wordsworth, and you can wander along the river, explore the quaint streets or treat yourself to a local speciality - Grasmere gingerbread, which has been made here since 1854 using an authentic Victorian recipe.

*Trains are steam-hauled where possible, however due to timetable changes or weather conditions, heritage diesel locomotives may be running instead

• Breakfast, Dinner

This morning, our coach takes us to Carlisle where we board the train to Ravenglass. Heading south, admire the passing rolling green hills, delightful villages and picturesque farmsteads before the scenery transforms into a stunning coastal panorama, with views of the Irish Sea.

In Ravenglass, a steam-hauled* rail journey to Dalegarth awaits aboard the Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway. One of the oldest minimum-gauge heritage railways in England, the line originally opened in 1875 and boasts some truly incredible scenery. Enjoy fantastic views across pretty hills and the highest mountain range in England, before we arrive at Dalegarth station.

From here, we rejoin our coach and head to Muncaster where we visit its castle. Owned by the Pennington family for more than 800 years and set in picture-perfect surroundings, this fortress is almost Arthurian in appearance, with square towers topped by parapets. Enjoy some time to explore before returning to the hotel for dinner this evening.

*Trains are steam-hauled where possible, however due to timetable changes or weather conditions, heritage diesel locomotives may be running instead

• Breakfast, Dinner

A spectacular journey to Skipton on the Settle to Carlisle line awaits after breakfast. Due to natural obstacles, it took seven years to complete this route before its opening in 1875. However, the scenery that made it difficult to complete is the very reason this journey is extraordinary, and we experience it as our train cuts through hills, mountains and valleys, over marshland and rivers. Look out over miles of untouched beauty from your seat as we enter the Yorkshire Dales and pass over the majestic Ribblehead Viaduct, one of the iconic landmarks of the Yorkshire landscape.

Reaching Skipton, you're at leisure to explore the market town. Wander the cobbled streets lined with independent shops, cafes and traditional pubs. In the town centre, you'll find Skipton Castle, a well-preserved medieval fortress which withstood a three-year siege during the Civil War.

After making the scenic return journey to Carlisle, our coach takes us back to Wetheral where we spend the evening and enjoy dinner at our hotel.

• Breakfast, Dinner

From our charming base in Wetheral, we followed in the footsteps of literary greats with a scenic journey on the Lakeside & Haverthwaite Railway followed by a serene Windermere Lake cruise to Bowness. The Settle to Carlisle Railway shared beautiful views and Skipton's cobbled streets were a delight to explore. Finally, the Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway unveiled coastal and mountain panoramas, culminating in a visit to the majestic Muncaster Castle.

After a leisurely breakfast, your holiday comes to an end today. You may choose to spend more time exploring independently before making your way home.

• Breakfast