Step Back in Tyne – Discover the North East 2026

Duration

6 Days

Departure Dates

18th May 2026, 13th July 2026, 21st September 2026

Prices from

£835 Per person

The mighty River Tyne is bordered by the unspoilt beauty, history, and heritage of Northumberland & Durham. This action-packed rail holiday time-travels from the Romans of Hadrian's Wall and Vindolanda, through historic Anglo-Saxon Bamburgh, to the Victorian 'living history' of Beamish plus a boat trip to view the stunning wildlife of the Farne Islands and visits to the South Tynedale Railway and Heatherslaw Light Railway.

Overview
Itinerary
Further Information
Departure Dates
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River Tyne, Newcastle ©iStock

6 days from £835

DEPARTS

Monday 18 May 2026

Monday 13 July 2026

Monday 21 September 2026

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

Visit Beamish – The Living Museum of the North
Enjoy a photo opportunity at the Angel of the North
Ride the South Tynedale Railway
Experience Vindolanda – the Roman archaeological site with live excavations
Discover 1,400 years of history at Bamburgh Castle
Cruise to the Farne Islands, one of the UK’s largest seabird and seal colonies
Journey on the Heatherslaw Light Railway
Enjoy free time in the coastal town of Berwick-upon-Tweed

Also included in your Tour Fare:

5 nights’ bed, breakfast & evening meal
Services of experienced Railtrail Tour Manager

DAY 1

Journey from your home station to Newcastle and, on arrival, we will make our way to the Leonardo Hotel, our hotel for the next five nights. We enjoy free time to explore our new surroundings before meeting for our first evening meal together.

DAY 2

After breakfast today, we are transported to the South Tynedale Railway for a steam journey through the stunning North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty on England's highest narrow-gauge railway. From here, we travel alongside Hadrian's Wall to Vindolanda, one of Europe's most important Roman archaeological sites. As well as having the chance to view thousands of extraordinary Roman artifacts, we may also get to watch live excavations.

B, D

DAY 3

This morning, we leave Newcastle and travel by road to Bamburgh for a visit to Bamburgh Castle - once home to the Kings of Northumbria. Standing proudly on the edge of the North Sea, the castle has over 1,400 years of history to explore. Afterwards, we transfer to Seahouses for our 90-minute cruise sailing around the Farne Islands to view the stunning wildlife on one of the UK's largest seabird and seal colonies.

B, D

DAY 4

Today, we visit Beamish, The Living Museum of the North, an incredible experience through time. A living, working experience featuring a recreated town including an Edwardian bakery, a coal mine, a local pub, and school amongst other things, all linked together by a historic tram system. On our return to Newcastle, we make a visit to The Angel of the North for a quick photo-stop.

B, D

DAY 5

After breakfast this morning, we will travel the scenic rail route to Berwick-upon-Tweed and transfer to the Heatherslaw Light Railway for a return steam journey along the banks of the river Till. On our return to Berwick, we enjoy free time and sightseeing in this coastal town before travelling back on the East Coast mainline to Newcastle for our final evening meal together.

B, D

DAY 6

After breakfast, we bid farewell to Newcastle and make our way to the station for our homeward journeys.

*Important Note: Whilst the arrangements for all described steam train travel are in place, we do reserve the right to make substitutions should it be deemed necessary for whatever reason.

B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner

HOTEL

Leonardo Hotel, Newcastle

Ideally located in the city centre and close to the railway station, the Leonardo Hotel offers an elegant reception with skyline views of Newcastle and contemporary facilities with a trendy bar and restaurant. The modern bedrooms provide an en-suite bathroom with complimentary toiletries, a hairdryer, ironing facilities, flat-screen TV, free Wi-Fi, and tea/coffee making facilities.

FARES

Fare Region	First*	Standard
London: Kings Cross	£1,095	£979
Greater London	£1,115	£989
South of England	£1,129	£999
East Anglia	£1,179	£1,025
South West	£1,245	£1,049
Heart of England	£1,155	£1,009
Midlands	£1,045	£929
Yorkshire	£1,035	£949
North East	£899	£875
North West	£1,089	£979
South Wales	£1,175	£1,019
North Wales	£1,219	£1,049
Scotland	£985	£925
Join & Leave at Hotel	£845
Single Traveller Supplement	£160
Deposit	£85

*Please note: Some local and regional train services are Standard Class only, so First Class ticket holders will travel in standard class accommodation for these sections of journeys.

£10 tour discount for holders of National Railcards

July Departure Supplement £30

September Departure Supplement £60

5 nights’ bed, breakfast & evening meal

Rail travel & seat reservations from your Home Station to Tour Base (Standard or First Class)

Rail & coach travel, with transfers as described

All excursions & admissions as detailed

Services of experienced Railtrail Tour Manager

Important – Please select the number of passengers before proceeding to ‘Book Now’

Number of passengers:

Date	From Price	Book Now	Callback
18th May 2026	£835 Per person	Book Now	Callback
13th July 2026	£865 Per person	Book Now	Callback
21st September 2026	£895 Per person	Book Now	Callback

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Leonardo Hotel, Newcastle

South Tynedale Railway

Vindolanda

Bamburgh Castle

Farne Islands Boat Trips

Beamish Living Museum

Heatherslaw Light Railway

South Tynedale Railway ©Shutterstock

Hadrians Wall ©Shutterstock

Vindolanda Ruins ©Shutterstock

Bamburgh Castle1 ©Shutterstock

Bamburgh Castle2 ©Shutterstock

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Step Back in Tyne – Discover the North East 2026

Register interest

What our customers say

Sounds like the holiday for you?

Why Book with Railtrail

Unique Experiences

Financial Protection

Loyalty Rewards

Award Winning Team