The Yorkshire Dales & Peak District
3 day tour

  • York Minster
  • Chatsworth House
  • Monsal Headstone Viaduct
  • Bakewell Tart
  • Robin Hood's Bay

Journey by rail to Manchester and travel by mini-coach to York, Chatsworth House, The Peak District, and more timeless destinations.

Tour map

Tour Highlights

Castleton - This beautiful village shelters in the shadow of the scenic Shivering Mountain.

Monsal Headstone Viaduct – A landmark viaduct and walking route that spans the serene Monsal Dale.

Bakewell - The attractive stone buildings and courtyards attract artists and photographers from around the world.

Chatsworth House - The magnificent grand house of the Devonshire family lies in a stunning estate. You can decide whether you get lost in the luxurious rooms or its famous maze.

York and the Dales - North England’s remote sheep-rearing valleys lay beside the bustling, history-rich city of York.

Goathland Village- The rugged moorland setting of this handsome village have shaped its architecture and outlook.

York Minster - Majestic Gothic spires reach up into the York sky, a focal point for dramatic events throughout English history.

Robin Hood’s Bay - This beautifully preserved fishing village offers a stunning contrast between its dainty cottages and rugged cliffs.

Peak District National Park - Broadleaved woodlands give way to sheltered deep valleys in this geological wonderland.

Your journey
 

Friendly, gorgeous, and fun: North England’s charms are irresistible.

The Vikings loved it so much they decided to settle and shape the culture. Nature enthusiasts found the rolling hills so dazzling they created five national parks here. And pioneers found the fields to be so fertile they established this area as the home of Industrial Revolution.

So, on this tour, jump on the fast morning train to Manchester, board your mini-coach, and find out what’s so special about the North.

You explore York and learn about an ancient Viking city. You try out Britain’s most famous cakes and cheeses. You venture through the legends of Robin Hood. And you roll over the green and scenic valleys of the Peak District.

So, join this tour and explore the best of North England.

 


If you love this itinerary but want to start in Manchester, have a look at this tour.

Rail & Trail Journey

This trip combines a return train journey with one of our tours. It's a fast and sustainable way to get you to where you want to go.

Tour Details

Starts
Check-in closes at 23:45 (tour departs at ) - ,
*Train times may vary a little. We'll email you your exact departure time before your tour.
Finishes (approx.)
- ,
Luggage
You're restricted to kg (0lbs) of luggage per person. This should be one piece of luggage similar to an airline carry-on bag (approximately 55cm x 45cm x 25cm / 22in x 17in x 10in) and a small bag for onboard personal items.
Discounts

Students, seniors over 60, and children between 5 and 15 (unfortunately, we don't carry children under 5 years old).

Important information
  • Pack your waterproof clothing and walking shoes
  • After booking your tour, we'll contact you about your train journey
  • Attraction tickets may need to be purchased in advance. More information is provided in your booking confirmation e-mail
Tour inclusions
  • Transportation by a 16 seat Mercedes mini-coach
  • Air conditioning as standard
  • The stories and services of an English-speaking driver-guide
  • Avanti West Coast 2nd class return rail travel from London Euston Railway Station
Tour exclusions
  • Entry fees to visitor attractions
  • Tour accommodation

Itinerary

Day 1

  • Admire the green heights of the Peak District
  • Wander through green mazes and ornate halls at Chatsworth House

It’s time to leave the big city behind and travel to the Peak District.

You transfer in Manchester from your train to our mini-coach, and in the late morning, you arrive in Castleton. This quaint old town attracts travellers from all over the world for its quintessential English charm. Nearby, there are caves, a beautiful view up a valley, and an insightful information centre.

You then venture to another beautiful valley at Monsal Head. There’s an old rail line viaduct that emerges from the green hills. It’s a gorgeous structure with an impressive history.

If you’re hungry, then you’re in luck, because you’re stopping for lunch in Bakewell. Not only is this town delicious to look at, but it’s also the home of one of England’s most famous desserts, the Bakewell Tart.

You should ensure you’ve cleaned up the crumbs, because now you’re heading to Chatsworth House. This luxurious stately home is incredible; you can admire architecture, get lost in a massive maze, or praise precious art.

You head off in the early evening to your overnight stop in York.

 

Day 2

  • Visit a magnificent cathedral and learn about the Viking past in York
  • Explore two essential harbour towns at Whitby and Robin Hood’s Bay

You have the choice to spend your whole day in York or come with us on a day trip around the nearby sights. You can visit a chocolate museum, find out about the Vikings, or even just stroll around the ancient walls.

Around midday, you leave York and head to Goathland. This town was used in the Harry Potter movies and is situated in one of the largest expanses of heather moorland in the UK.

Your next stop is Whitby. This is the type of town everyone dreams of retiring in. There’s a beautifully-located, ruined abbey; old stone steps curving around viewpoints; and a lovely little beach to play about on.

After exploring all the nooks and crannies of Whitby, you travel to Robin Hood’s Bay. They doubt if the real Robin Hood ever came here, but there are still plenty of smugglers tales dotted around this remarkable harbour village.

You arrive back in York mid-afternoon.

Day 3

  • Satiate your taste buds with a classic English cake and a famous cheese
  • Praise the marvels of one of the largest ruined abbeys in England at Fountains Abbey

It’s time to say goodbye to York, England’s capital of Vikings and chocolate.

And although it’s your last day, there’s still plenty more to see. You first take the road to Fountains Abbey. This is one of the largest ruined abbeys in England and part of an important UNESCO Heritage site.

You then find yourself surrounded by some of England’s most lovely waterfalls at Aysgarth.

Now, there’s a delicious lunch for you, because you’re travelling around Wensleydale, home of England’s most famous cheese. Just make sure you have some crackers, so you can eat it the authentic way.

You travel past the epic Ribblehead railway viaduct before having a short snoop around the old castle-topped town of Clitheroe.

You arrive in Manchester in the evening where you join the express train service back to London Euston.

Accommodation

Where does this tour stay overnight?

You stay two nights in the medieval city of York.

How can I book accommodation?

Accommodation is not included in the price of your tour. To book accommodation, there are two options: either Rabbie’s Tours can book it for you, or you can book your own. For information on how to do this, please see the ‘Accommodation’ tab on FAQ page HERE.

Alternatively, please email us your questions at tours@rabbies.com or call us on +44(0)131 226 3133.

Information you can find on the FAQ page, under the ‘Accommodation’ tab: types of accommodation, room types, the booking process, getting to and from your accommodation, and cancellation terms.

How much will the accommodation cost?

We book accommodation with third-party providers on your behalf and each property sets their own rates. Rates vary considerably depending on the accommodation standard, facilities, location, and local demand. We therefore can’t tell you exactly how much your accommodation will cost until your request has been allocated to a specific property.

As a guide, you can expect to pay the following prices, per person per night:

 

Approximate prices, per person per night

Overnight Location

 

Sole Occupancy

Multiple Occupancy

 

(1 person per room)

(2+ people per room)

B&B Standard

£60 - £90

£40 - £60

UK & Northern Ireland

€65 - €95

€45 - €70

Ireland

B&B En-suite

£80 - £120

£45 - £85

UK & Northern Ireland

€80 - €130

€50 - €95

Ireland

Hotel

£90 - £170

£75 - £140

UK & Northern Ireland

€100 - €215

€75 - €130

Ireland

NOTE: Prices quoted are for guidance only and may be higher on some occasions, especially for last-minute bookings and when demand is high (E.g. peak season, weekends, holidays, special events etc)

Breakfast will be included unless otherwise noted. The type of breakfast provided will vary from place to place so you may receive either a full cooked breakfast, a continental style breakfast (E.g., toast, fruit, cereal), or a packed breakfast bag or tray (E.g., porridge pot, fruit, granola bar).

FAQs

Where does the tour depart from?

Your tour departs from Euston Station, London. You first take the train to Manchester Piccadilly Station and then make your way the short distance to the departure point on Store Street where your guide and mini-coach will be waiting for you next to the NCP car park. On the last day of your tour, your driver-guide takes you back to Store Street, just round the corner from Manchester Piccadilly Station where you catch the train back to Euston Station.

 

How do I get to London’s Euston Station?

Depending on where your London accommodation is located, there are several ways to get to the station. You can easily access the station using the underground network, local buses, or a taxi.

 

What time does the tour depart?

The train departs London’s Euston Station at 07.20. We recommend you try to arrive by 06.40 in case there are delays or cancellations on your journey. Leaving plenty of time also gives you a chance to collect your tickets and purchase refreshments. Your ticket is only valid on the 07.20 departure. If you miss this train, you’re responsible for purchasing new tickets for the next departure.

 

Where do I collect my tickets?

At the train station, insert any credit or debit card into one of the self-service ticket machines and enter the Ticket Collection Reference Number in the email we send you. If you have problems with this, please go to a manned ticket window with your booking confirmation or phone the Avanti helpline on +443455280253. Allow 20 minutes for ticket collection and ensure you collect all the tickets for your journey. Once you’ve collected your train ticket, it’s non-amendable and non-refundable unless the service is cancelled or delayed.

 

Do I have reserved seats?

In most cases, you have pre-assigned and reserved seats. The details are provided on your tickets. If you booked your ticket within one week of departure, you may not have a seating reservation. But don’t worry, there are usually plenty of unreserved seats available.

 

Do the names on tickets matter?

Not at all. We use the name provided at the time of booking, but it doesn’t matter whose name is on the ticket.

 

Can I buy food and drink on the train?

Each train has a café on board which provides a selection of food and drinks. If you require anything in particular, we recommend you pick up what you need from one of shops at Euston Station.

 

What platform does the train leave from?

The platform changes every day. Your train’s destination is Manchester Piccadilly Station. Please watch the electronic departure board for notification of your platform. The platform will be announced about 15 – 20mins before departure. The departure gates close five minutes before the train leaves, so please make your way to the train once you’ve seen which platform the train is departing from.

 

In the case of delayed or cancelled train services:

If your train is delayed by more than 15 minutes or cancelled, please seek advice on the status of your journey from a railway staff member. Once informed, please contact us and we’ll help arrange public transport alternatives. Depending on the circumstances and transport options, your itinerary may be rearranged to bring you to an alternative meeting point. If this happens, we’ll provide compensation for any missed portion of your tour.

 

How long is the train trip?

The train takes a little over two hours.

 

Where do I meet the tour bus?

Your train arrives at Piccadilly Station at 09:30am, and your driver-guide will meet you at the bus stop located outside Piccadilly Gate on 26-32 Store Street (near the NCP car park) at 10:00am. All you need to do is to exit the station by the main exit, turn right and walk up to Café Nero. You will come to a set of lights, turn left and go down the street. Walk under the footbridge and take the first left under the tunnel and you should be able to see your driver in a white branded mini-coach. Due to unforeseen circumstances, the guide may not be at the bus stop to meet you. Don’t worry, they’ll be there as soon as possible. If you have problems finding your bus, just give us a call on +44(0)131 226 3133.

 

How much time do I get off the bus?

We want you to enjoy Britain and Ireland. And we believe the best way to do this is to get you off the mini-coach and out exploring. So, we give you plenty of time to take photos, go walking, and explore ancient ruins.

 

Why do you exclude visitor attractions?

We exclude visitor attractions in your tour price because it lets you travel your way. It means you can pamper yourself with a luxury lunch or skip an attraction whenever you feel like it.

 

Do I need to bring my own lunch?

You don't need to. We stop in small towns, villages, and rural eateries where you can choose whatever meal pleases both your taste buds and your budget.

 

Should I tip the driver-guide?

Let's be honest, our driver-guides would never refuse a cheeky bonus. But it's up to you, and the amount is entirely at your discretion.

 

What about travel insurance?

We advise you take out travel insurance.


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