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Blackpool and Yorkshire Steam Railway Holiday

BL featuredjpg

Blackpool Lighter

Iconic illuminance in the North West

Holiday date: Thursday, 9th October 2025
UK
England
5 days for  £989 per person
£1978 for two people sharing
Single supplement £120
Tour reference: BL5/1

As the summer draws to an end, it’s time to celebrate the passing of a season. Autumn colours during the day and the Blackpool Lights by night – what could be more appropriate?

Holiday Highlights

Yorkshire nostalgia at the Embsay and Keighley Railways
Privately hired vintage tram to view the illuminations
The world-famous Settle & Carlisle railway
Military history at imposing Carlisle Castle
Steam at the East Lancs and the lesser known West Lancs Railways
Birds galore at Martin Mere Wetlands Centre

Holiday Itinerary

Day 1 - Thursday

At around about lunchtime we will meet up at Wigan North Western Station and set off for a most unusual first visit. At Martin Mere Wetlands Centre there are birds from all over the world, though locals do drop in! Later, it’s a very short drive to the, ever-so friendly, West Lancashire Railway for privately hired steamy fun.

Meals: Dinner
Day 2 - Friday

Scenically, this is the best day of the tour. We head north for the most famous rail journey in England, the Settle/Carlisle line. But we like to do more than just that and so our support coach will be waiting at Carlisle to run us around to the impressive castle where there is much of interest including Queen Mary’s Tower and the intriguing Museum of Cumbrian Military Life. We return on the train as far as Ribblehead  before driving back to the hotel through autumn colours.

Meals: Breakfast,Dinner
Kreuzschnabel, CC BY-SA 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Day 3 - Saturday

Our “local” steam railway features this morning as we enjoy journeys in the Irwell Vale with the East Lancs. A pleasant 12 mile journey, links Heywood with the mill town of Rawtenstall, passing through Bury and Ramsbottom on the way. We take to the streets with the Manchester Metro and use local rail to reach the Fleetwood area for an early evening meal. Now, the holiday highlight of a journey through the famous illuminations aboard our private charter tram.

Meals: Breakfast,Dinner
Day 4 - Sunday

Yorkshire is just down the road and so with passports at the ready we cross the border for rabbit spotting at the Embsay and Bolton Abbey Railway. Later, we find ourselves in Bronte country at the Keighley and Worth Valley. This is a super line with great scenery and attractions at each of the stations – one of the best there is. There may even be time to visit the pretty town of Haworth where the Bronte family hail from.

Meals: Breakfast,Dinner
Day 5 - Monday

A coach/rail combination takes us to Leyland. Here, The British Commercial Vehicle Museum houses vehicles ranging from trams to buses and field gun haulers to a popemobile (yes, really!). Homeward bound journeys start from nearby Preston around lunchtime.

Meals: Breakfast

Railways

Coming soon!

Our Hotel(s)

4 Star

The Dunkenhalgh Hotel and Spa, Clayton Le Moors

The Dunkenhalgh Hotel (or ‘The Dunk’ as it is affectionately known) is a striking building whose rich and intriguing history can be traced back to the 13th century. Transformed from a historic countryside mansion house to a fine hotel set in 17 acres of Parkland. It will be a real treat to stay here as we have booked “executive” rooms. Do bring your swim stuff – the spa is legendary hereabouts!

Features and Facilities

Swimming pool
Restaurant
Well-being
Wi-Fi
Bar
Flat-screen TV
Tea and coffee making facilities
Fully equipped bathroom with mix of bathtub/shower or shower
Direct dial telephone
Iron
Hair dryer
Trouser press
Operator wake up call

What's included

Transport

All heritage railway rides
All public transport journeys, in standard class accommodation
Private coach transfers throughout the holiday

Entertainment

All entrances
Detailed itinerary/information pack
Services of courier throughout

Accommodation

Hotel accommodation on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis

Treats

One evening meal out

What's not included

Travel to/from the holiday start point
Personal holiday insurance
Porterage
Lunches
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