Discover the best of Yorkshire from our base in Harrogate as you visit delightful towns, explore historic streets and journey on heritage railways

Your Yorkshire adventure begins in Harrogate, where you'll meet the Tour Manager and fellow travellers at the centrally located hotel. Harrogate is a charming Victorian town known for its spa heritage, beautiful gardens and elegant buildings.

Harrogate's Valley Gardens contribute to its picturesque charm and the nearby Bettys Tea Room invites you to savour quintessential Yorkshire treats. Other highlights you may wish to explore include the renowned Turkish Baths, known for its restorative treatments dating back over 200 years and the Royal Pump Room Museum, showcasing the town's history with its mineral springs. The town has a traditional theatre, a variety of music venues and hosts several national and international events at its Convention Centre, not far from our hotel.

This evening, we gather at the hotel for our first dinner as a group.

This morning after breakfast, our coach takes us to Whitby, one of Yorkshire's most beloved seaside resorts. Overlooking the town, the dramatic ruins of Whitby Abbey loom from the clifftop, famously inspiring Bram Stoker's Dracula. Here, there's free time to explore at your own pace, perhaps climbing the 199 steps to the Gothic abbey or visiting St Mary's Church for sweeping sea views. You might also enjoy a walk along the sandy beach or explore Whitby's heritage of jet jewellery.

Before we leave, there's time to sample some of the town's renowned fish and chips, before boarding the nostalgic North Yorkshire Moors Railway*. Settle into a restored heritage carriage and soak up views of the heather-clad moorland as the train winds through the Esk Valley.

We pass through charming stations including Goathland, recognisable as 'Hogsmeade Station' from the Harry Potter films. Our journey ends in Pickering, where we rejoin our coach to return to Harrogate, arriving in time for dinner.

*Please note: trains are steam-hauled where possible, however due to timetable changes or weather conditions, heritage diesel locomotives may be running instead.

A day at leisure awaits after breakfast, where you can explore more of Yorkshire at your own pace. You might choose to take the train to York, a historic walled city home to the magnificent York Minster, where you can wander The Shambles, a medieval street lined with timber framed buildings, or sail down the River Ouse on a relaxing boat cruise.

Alternatively, visit the picturesque town of Knaresborough, perched high above the River Nidd. Its impressive viaduct and riverside setting make it a joy to explore. Walk up to the ruins of Knaresborough Castle for panoramic views or delve into local folklore with a trip to Mother Shipton's Cave.

If you choose to stay in Harrogate, enjoy time browsing the boutiques, galleries and cafés of the Montpellier Quarter or unwind in the tranquil surroundings of RHS Harlow Carr's gardens. This evening, dine independently at one of the town's many eateries, from relaxed pubs to upmarket restaurants.

Please note: on certain departures, Days 3 & 4 are swapped.

After breakfast this morning, we travel by coach to Ingrow for a nostalgic trip on the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway*. The scenic five-mile journey takes us through the beautiful Worth Valley to Oxenhope, with on-board commentary revealing the line's rich history and ties to the beloved 1970 film The Railway Children.

From here, our coach takes us to the hilltop village of Haworth, tucked away in the Pennine Hills. It was here that the Brontë sisters lived and wrote some of their most famous works during the 19th-century. We enjoy a self-guided visit to the Brontë Parsonage Museum, the family's former home, which offers a moving insight into their lives. Afterwards, you'll have time to explore Haworth at your own pace, perhaps browsing its independent shops, relaxing in a traditional tearoom or soaking up the atmosphere of a cosy local pub.

Later, the coach takes us back to our hotel where we enjoy our final dinner of the holiday.

*Please note: trains are steam-hauled where possible, however due to timetable changes or weather conditions, heritage diesel locomotives may be running instead.

Based in the elegant town of Harrogate, we've explored the very best of Yorkshire, from the historic harbour town of Whitby to the sweeping beauty of the North York Moors. Two nostalgic railway journeys brought the landscapes to life, the North Yorkshire Moors Railway, winding through heather-strewn hills and the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway, passing scenery made famous by The Railway Children. We've also soaked up the literary heritage of Haworth, walking in the footsteps of the Brontë sisters.

Your Yorkshire adventure comes to an end after breakfast this morning. Once checked out, you're free to make your own way home. Alternatively, you could continue exploring the county's scenic towns and countryside independently.

Please note that the itinerary order may differ dependant on departure. Please call for more details.

Our Discoveries range offers everything you need at a great price so you can travel with confidence. It provides comfortable, locally run accommodation*, standard rail or economy flights and expert-led group tours. You'll be in groups with an average of 30-35 travellers and a maximum of 40. *where available

The Keighley & Worth Valley Railway commenced both freight and passenger services in 1867. Although it was a vital transport link for the local community, this was always secondary to its freight services, and so for much of its working life the branch line was known to very few people outside the vicinity.

The railway was an early victim of the Beeching Axe, with its final service running in 1962. A preservation group had already formed as a reaction to the closure, which quickly purchased the line from its then-owners, British Rail. After a few years of preparation, the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway re-opened in 1968 run entirely by volunteers. The branch line was preserved in its entirety, and to date it is the UK's only heritage railway to run at its complete original length.

Since opening as a heritage railway, the line has remained popular with the local community, but has also become a major tourist attraction. It is easy to see why the railway is a popular feature on several of our Yorkshire holidays as the line passes through the beautiful, rugged countryside and rolling moorland made famous by the Brontë sisters.

The wild and windswept North York Moors are infamous in fact and fiction, with over 1,400 miles of stunning scenery, tranquil trecks and wonderful wildlife it's easy to see why. Overflowing with barron moorland, lush valleys and pine forests to captivating coastlines and home to historic monuments, villages and a wealth of wildlife - there is so much to discover here.

Found at the core of historic Harrogate, the 4-Star Crowne Plaza Harrogate embraces the traditions of this ancient spa town to make your stay as relaxed, enjoyable and as comfortable as possible. Housed in an impressive glass building, looking over the town centre, you are well placed to explore the many attractions and to perhaps stop off at Bettys Tea Rooms for lunch. Amenities here include a fitness centre, a restaurant and a bar, while the tasteful rooms come with complimentary WiFi, a hairdryer and a television.

We can book UK rail tickets from your local station to and from Harrogate. Please call us to discuss your requirements.