Blackpool Steam Railway Holiday
Friday, 22nd October 2021
UK
Blackpool Lighter
Holiday Highlights
- Yorkshire nostalgia at the Embsay and Keighley Railways
- Privately hired vintage tram to view the illuminations
- The world-famous Settle & Carlisle railway
- Visits to charming Dales villages like Settle and Hawes
- Steam at the East Lancs and the lesser known West Lancs Railways
- Birds galore at Martin Mere Wetlands Centre
Outline Itinerary
Friday
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 are birds from all over the world. One can walk around themed areas to see the wildfowl of Europe, Asia and elsewhere as well as the locals and even playful otters. Later on it’s a very short drive to the, ever-so friendly, West Lancashire Railway for privately hired steamy fun.
Saturday
Our “local” steam railway features this morning as we enjoy journeys in the Irwell Vale with the East Lancashire Railway. A pleasant 12 mile journey, links Heywood with the mill town of Rawtenstall passing through Bury and Ramsbottom on the way. We blend old with new as we take to the streets with the Manchester Metro tram system and visit one of the most interesting museums in the country, the Manchester Museum of Science & Industry. We’ll stop for an early evening meal somewhere before the holiday highlight of a journey through the famous illuminations aboard an historic, privately chartered, tram.
Sunday
Yorkshire is just down the road and so are two super steam railways. So with passports at the ready we cross the border for a morning of rabbit spotting with the Embsay and Bolton Abbey Steam 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.
Monday
Scenically this trip just gets better and better. Today we head north for the most famous rail journey in England as we travel the Settle/Carlisle line. But we like to do more than just that and so our support coach will take us into the Dales for visits to iconic places such as Ribblehead and Hawes. Enjoy a relaxed day taking in the finest scenery in the land all festooned in Autumn colours – dry-stone walls, farmsteads, rolling hills and plunging dales – magic!
Tuesday
Our final morning and we’ve a super one in store to finish off with. A coach/rail/bus combination takes us to Leyland via Bamber Bridge. Here, in part of the once mighty Leyland Motor Works, is an exceptional museum. The British Commercial Vehicle Museum houses vehicles ranging from trams to buses and field gun haulers to a popemobile (yes, really!). Homeward bound journeys commence from nearby Preston around lunchtime.
Our Hotel
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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