Based in the spa town of Harrogate, experience the Christmas Market in York, enjoy a vintage steam rail journey with a festive theme and visit the historic house of Castle Howard in its full Christmas glory.
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We typically suggest that guests join our UK tours between 2pm and 3pm at the first hotel in the tour. We write to all booked customers approximately 10 weeks prior to the start of their tour to advise the exact departure and return time for their particular group.
Make your way to the 4-star Cedar Court Hotel in Harrogate, our base for the next four 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 this evening.
Today we travel the short distance by train to nearby York. Steeped in history, we discover more about this walled city as we meet our local guide for a fascinating walking tour of 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 you have the chance to visit the wonderful National Railway Museum (free entry). This afternoon you are free to explore York's Christmas Market which offers an interesting array of gifts, crafts, local farm produce and continental foods.
Travelling by coach to Oxenhope we join the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway*, made famous by "The Railway Children", for a nostalgic steam trip aboard a vintage train. Afterwards we travel back in time to Grassington, and its traditional Dickensian Festival. Shopkeepers and villagers dress up in Victorian costume and the Christmas market is alive with street entertainers and traditional country crafts.
*Steam-hauled where possible
We head today to stately Castle Howard to visit the house, home to the Howard family for more than 300 years. The house, familiar to many from "Brideshead Revisited", is beautifully decorated for the Howard family's traditional Christmas. After hot drinks and a festive mince pie you are free to explore. Following breakfast on Day 5 you are free to depart.
Please note that while every departure of this tour will feature the same excursions, the order may differ from that shown above.
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