Spend 8 days exploring northern England
and Southern Scotland by rail. Enjoy the stunning scenery of the
Yorkshire Dales, the Lake District and the Scottish Borders and make
stops in the vibrant and historic cities of York, Chester, Stirling,
Glasgow and the Scottish capital, Edinburgh.
The Tour
Day 1 – Chester and Liverpool
Land in Manchester airport and take the
airport rail link to Picadilly Station where you can join the
mainline to Chester.
Spend the day exploring the glorious Roman walls, timber facaded,
mock Tudor buildings, grand cathedral and excavated Roman
Amphitheatre not to mention quaint boutiques and excellent shopping.
A short train ride north is the European Capital
of Culture of 2008. Liverpool,
inspiration for many of the Beatles
hit songs, has a wealth of sites including the Penny Lane, Strawberry
Fields, the Beatles
Story Exhibition as well as 2 cathedrals, the stylish Albert
Docks, and the Tate Modern Art Gallery.
Overnight Chester or Liverpool.
Day 2 – The Lake District
Travel north today to explore the
English Lake
District. Arrive in Windermere
and check-in to your hotel before exploring the Lakes by local bus.
Pass sweeping dales, deep valleys and the tranquil lakes making stops
in traditional Cumbrian towns such as Ambleside
and Grasmere
home to quaint markets, bustling shops and traditional inns. Take
long walks, perhaps a boat trip on the lakes and visit attractions at
Dove Cottage
, Hill Top or
Royal Mount
to discover why this region inspired artists, poets and authors alike
including Turner, Wordsworth and Beatrix Potter.
Day 3 – Vibrant Glasgow
On a rail ride that takes you through
the scenic Scottish borderlands arrive in Glasgow.
In stark contrast to the tranquil Lakes, Glasgow, Scotland's
largest city, is a lively metropolis with a distinct and unique
character. Visit the twelfth century Glasgoe Cathedral , the Victorian
and Georgian grandeur of George Square, wander along Sauchiehall
Street, enjoy the impressive exhibits of the Kelvingrove museum,
stroll the banks of the river Clyde to the modern Science Centre and
finally relax in the slick bars and eateries of the Merchant City
area.
Overnight Glasgow.
Day 4 – Stirling and Stirling Castle
A short rail ride from Glasgow and you
reach Stirling
and home of the sites of some of Braveheart's Battles. Stroll the
cobbled streets of the old town up to the stunning Stirling
Castle once home to Mary Queen of Scots. A short bus or taxi
ride takes you to the national Wallace
Monument and where you can climb to the top of the tower perched
on a rocky precipice to give you unrivaled views over Stirling, the
distant castle and the magical valleys and landscapes of
Stirlingshire.
Overnight Stirling.
Day 5 – Edinburgh and Edinburgh Castle
A short train ride and you'll find
yourself in Edinburgh. Amble the cobbled streets of the medieval old
town and the Townhouses of the Georgian New Town. Enjoy shopping on
the world-famous Princes Street and Head up the royal mile to
Edinburgh
Castle overlooking the bustling city. Visit the "Spirit of
the Tattoo” and "Water of Life - Whiskey Experience"
exhibitions before climbing to Arthur's seat for unrivaled city views
and don't miss out on a visit to the grand Holyrood House and modern
Scottish Parliament buildings.
Overnight Edinburgh
Day 6 – Historic Durham and York
Pass through the beautiful borderlands
once more in to England and the historic university city of Durham
where you can stop to view the UNESCO World Heritage Site at Durham
Cathedral. Continue south through the Yorkshire Dales to York,
once capital of the Roman Empire. Explore the medieval grandeur that
still exists today and walk the city walls, watch towers and gates
which are still intact around large parts of the city. Make a visit
to the National Railway Museum to discover the history of the
railways in Britain, see real steam engines from throughout the ages
and visit the exhibition of the “Flying Scotsman”.
Overnight York
Day 7 – York Minster and Manchester
Continue to explore York discover the
Viking influence at the Jorvik
Centre and wandering the famous Shambles, Britain’s oldest
shopping street where timber fronted shops tilt and lean over the
narrow cobbled lane. York is dominated however by the “must-see”
York Minster
the stunning Cathedral that can be seen all around and boasts some of
the most intricate gothic architecture in the UK. From York return
to Manchester and spend the afternoon exploring this bustling city,
its world-class shopping and arts museum and finally make a visit to
Old Trafford to see the home of one of the world's leading soccer
clubs in Manchester United.
Overnight Manchester.
Day 8 – Return Home
Return to Manchester Airport via the
rail link for your return flight home.
Optional Extras
-
Enjoy city sightseeing tours of one or more of the locations visited.
- Purchase the Great British Heritage Pass.
Customize Your Tour
- Upgrade to a fleci-pass and add nights in the various locations to really explore.
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