York, Yorkshire Steam Train & Settle to Carlisle Railway

Travel in deluxe style on this holiday aboard a JG Explorer coach!
With its tranquil valleys, windswept moors, undulating hills and picturebook farmland, the beauty of the Yorkshire Dales is best explored by train! There's something special about relaxing in a vintage carriage, pottering through tunnels and over viaducts, hearing the unmistakable sounds of steam travel and gazing out at stunning quintessentially English scenery. On this break we are treated to nostalgic experiences aboard both the preserved Embsay & Bolton Abbey Steam Railway and the Settle-Carlisle Railway, two of the most picturesque journeys in the country. We also explore the historic city of York, home to an array of fascinating sights as well as the award-winning National Railway Museum.What's Included?
Includes- Return coach travel aboard a JG Explorer coach(see JG Explorer tab for more info)- 4 nights at the Leonardo Hotel, Bradford (JG3+ rating) with dinner & breakfast- Excursions to York & Grassington- Heritage train journeys on the Embsay & Bolton Abbey Steam Railway & the Settle-Carlisle Railway

Itinerary
Included ExcursionsYork (full day)For our first excursion we head to the historic city of York. Make time for the glorious York Minster, the largest Gothic cathedral in northern Europe with world-famous stained-glass windows. Other highlights include the narrow cobbled streets of the 'Shambles' where the buildings date back to medieval times, the Jorvik Centre which tells the story of York's Viking heritage and the ancient walls surrounding the city. The famous Betty's tea rooms are also worth a visit, or why not head to the National Railway Museum? Home to a stunning range of famous locomotives including speedy Mallard, impressive Duchess of Hamilton and an authentic replica of George Stephenson's Rocket, here we can also discover fascinating tales, relics and objects from centuries of railway history.Embsay & Bolton Abbey Steam Railway & Grassington (full day)We take a trip on the Embsay & Bolton Abbey Steam Railway, a preserved heritage railway that runs for four miles between the award-winning Bolton Abbey station and Embsay station, which was built in 1888. Both stations offer gift shops and tea rooms and most trains are hauled by beautifully-restored steam engines, the oldest one dating back to 1908. As you sit back and relax, imagine you are travelling in the Golden Age of steam while admiring the Yorkshire Dales landscapes.Afterwards we head to Grassington, a delight to visit with its bustling cobbled market square, fringed by shops offering local arts and crafts, all set against a beautiful scenic backdrop in the Yorkshire Dales.Settle-Carlisle Railway (full day)Our memorable journey on the world-famous Settle to Carlisle Railway might well be the highlight of our break. Arguably the most scenic line in the country, it took 6,000 men seven years to build! The line cuts a 72-mile swathe across the Yorkshire Dales, over the 24 arches of the Ribblehead Viaduct, through the long tunnel at Blea Moor and on past the lush pastures of the Eden Valley. We arrive in Carlisle, where we enjoy some free time at leisure, before taking our return train.

JG Explorer
JG Explorer coaches
We are pleased to introduceJG Explorer- a brand-new deluxe coach, thoughtfully designed to provide an elevated coach experience and ensure your journey is special and memorable.
Exclusive to the JG Travel Group, the design of these coaches has been meticulously thought through with your comfort in mind - with only 44 seats meaning more room on board and padded seats. There's improved legroom and a footrest, making certain that wherever you sit, you'll be able to relax and enjoy your journey. We know it's the small things that make a big difference in terms of ease and added convenience, so ourJG Explorercoaches feature a floor-level, rear-mounted toilet, accessible to all customers.
On-board entertainment throughout your journey is easy to find on theJG Explorer, with access to Azimut, our wireless media system, providing films and quizzes. Simply bring along your smartphone or iPad and enjoy this entertainment interruption-free, with the use of our extra reliable Wi-Fi, free to all passengers and a handy USB port at each seat.
The layout of theJG Explorerincludes a floor-level, rear-mounted kitchen with a sink, an espresso machine to purchase delicious Nespresso coffee, dispensed by your driver during comfort breaks, and a fridge stocked with cold drinks and milk. Customers are welcome to help themselves to complimentary JG bottles, that can be used for refill at the built-in cold-water filter, cutting down on the need for disposable plastic bottles and doing our part for the environment.Hotel
Leonardo Hotel, BradfordJG3+ ratingFeaturing a stylish décor, the Leonardo Hotel promises a comfortable stay in the heart of Bradford. The hotel offers en-suite bedrooms with a flat-screen TV, complimentary toiletries and tea and coffee-making facilities as well as a bar, restaurant, on-site Costa shop, gym and free Wi-Fi.Hotel RatingJG3+ ratingJG3+ hotels typically enjoy higher levels of satisfaction on both online hotel rating sites and our own customer satisfaction surveys and may enjoy superior locations close to resort attractions or surrounded by spectacular scenery.