Discover the Yorkshire-Lancashire border with a relaxing cruise on a traditional canal barge and two wonderful train journeys.
Day 1 Our coach makes its way north with suitable refreshment stops, arriving at our hotel late afternoon.
Day 2 This morning we head to the ancient market town of Clitheroe, with free time to explore before we continue to Settle. Here we board our train for a 45-minute journey up to Kirkby Stephen, winding through moorland scenery and crossing the famous Ribblehead Viaduct on the way. We next visit Hawes, another market town with many cafés and pubs where you can get lunch, and visit the Wensleydale Creamery for a cheese demonstration.
Day 3 After a leisurely breakfast, we visit Skipton to enjoy a one-hour cruise along the Leeds-Liverpool Canal. Back in Skipton, explore the popular Wednesday market close to the town’s impressive medieval castle, get some lunch or sightsee. In the afternoon we board our heritage train at Embsay for a one-hour return journey to Bolton Abbey Station.
Day 4 We return to Clitheroe to meet Simon Entwistle, our excellent local guide for a tour of the Ribble Valley and an insight into the fascinating history of Pendle Witch Country.
Day 5 We travel south stopping in Stratford-upon-Avon for lunch and sightseeing. We reach the local area early evening.
Our four-star hotel mixes the grandeur of the 700-year-old building with modern facilities, and is set in 17 acres of Lancashire parkland outside Blackburn. The hotel has an indoor swimming pool, gym and spa, and bedrooms have TV, telephone, WiFi, ironing facilities, hairdryer and hospitality tray. The hotel has a lift to some rooms.
