Wonderful Railways & Waterways 2026

Duration

10 Days

Departure Dates

6th June 2026, 12th September 2026

Prices from

£1,935 Per person

Explore the wonders of the waterways and railways on this fantastic tour starting at the very heart of the industrial revolution and discovering the masterpieces of Victorian engineering with boat trips and steam trains galore. Cruise remarkable canals, tunnels, and aqueducts, visit famous locations and fascinating museums, and steam nostalgia on scenic railway journeys.

Overview
Itinerary
Further Information
Departure Dates
Useful Resources

Ironbridge, Telford ©iStock

10 days from £1,935

DEPARTS

Saturday 6 June 2026

Saturday 12 September 2026

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

Visit the magnificent Ironbridge Gorge
Experience the sights, sounds, and smells of a Victorian town at Blists Hill
Steam on the scenic Severn Valley Railway
Discover 2,000 years of history in the beautiful city of Chester
Enjoy relaxing river cruises in Chester and Liverpool
Explore Liverpool with a hop-on/hop-off bus ticket included
Cruise across the breathtaking Pontcysyllte Aqueduct
Enjoy a nostalgic ride along the Llangollen Railway
Cruise the first true canal of England, the Bridgewater Canal
Travel from Bury on the scenic East Lancashire Railway
Visit the Weavers’ Triangle and walk part of Burnley Embankment
Discover Queen Street Mill, the last surviving 19^th century steam-powered weaving mill
Enjoy a boat trip into Standedge Tunnel
Ride the unique Keighley & Worth Valley Steam Railway
Walk the canal lock staircase at Bingley Five Rise Locks
Visit the industrial village of Saltaire, a UNESCO World Heritage Site

Also included in your Tour Fare:

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

DAY 1

Journey from your home station to Telford and, on arrival, we will make our way to the Valley Hotel, our hotel for the next two nights. We enjoy an orientation walk with a local guide before meeting for our first evening meal together.

DAY 2

Today, we continue our tour of Ironbridge with a visit to Blists Hill, a recreated Victorian town and time capsule of a bygone age. Afterwards, we enjoy a steam excursion on the Severn Valley Railway through 16-miles of beautiful countryside closely following the River Severn from Bridgnorth to Kidderminster before returning to the hotel in time for our evening meal together.

B, D

DAY 3

After breakfast this morning, we travel by train to Chester and transfer to the Mill Hotel, our hotel for the next three nights. We take an afternoon stroll along the ancient city walls to the River Dee for a relaxing river cruise enjoying charming views of the town before returning through the attractive city centre for our evening meal together.

B, D

DAY 4

Today, we experience one of the most iconic waterfronts in the world as we travel to Liverpool and make our way to the Royal Albert Dock where we board our river cruise explorer and learn the fascinating history of the city and its waterway connections. Afterwards, we enjoy free time to explore the historic and celebrated sights of this vibrant city using our included hop-on/hop-off bus ticket before returning by rail in time for our evening meal together.

B, D

DAY 5

After breakfast, we make the short journey by road to the Llangollen Canal for a breathtaking aerial cruise across one of the 'Seven Wonders', the spectacular Pontcysyllte Aqueduct. Crossing 126ft above the River Dee, it is the highest and longest aqueduct in Britain and a World Heritage site. Afterwards, we continue by road to Llangollen with time to look around the delightful town before a thrilling return train ride along the beautiful Llangollen Railway through the Dee Valley returning to the hotel in time for our evening meal.

B, D

DAY 6

Today, we enjoy a relaxing cruise along the Bridgewater Canal, constructed over 250 years ago and considered to be the first true canal in England. Our route takes us through Morton, Patricroft, and Barton before crossing the Manchester Ship Canal via the famous Barton Swing Aqueduct and we enjoy an afternoon tea on board. Afterwards, we travel by road to Bury for a steam journey on the East Lancashire Railway through the picturesque Irwell Valley before continuing to the Oaks Hotel in Burnley for our evening meal and overnight stay.

B, LR, D

DAY 7

This morning, we visit the Weavers' Triangle, located on the Leeds and Liverpool Canal where many buildings from the cotton industry remain, and our local guide escorts us along the towpath to walk part of Burnley Embankment which carries the canal 60ft above the town centre. We continue to the nearby Queen Street Mill Textile Museum for a fascinating guided tour to learn of the days when cotton was king at the world's last surviving 19th century steam-powered weaving mill. Afterwards, we travel by private coach across the Pennines from Lancashire to Yorkshire and arrive at the Midland Hotel in Bradford for our three-night stay and evening meal.

B, D

DAY 8

After breakfast this morning, we make the short train journey to Huddersfield and, changing trains, we climb into the Pennines to Marsden where a short walk along the towpath brings us to Standedge Tunnel. Here, we enjoy a boat trip into the longest, deepest, and highest canal tunnel in Britian before retracing our steps to the hotel in time for our evening meal together.

B, D

DAY 9

Today, we travel by train to Keighley for a return steam ride on the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway, a unique 5-mile branch line railway set in the heart of Yorkshire, and we alight at Bingley for a towpath walk along the Bingley Five Rise Locks during our return journey. This afternoon, we enjoy free time at the fantastic industrial village of Saltaire, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, before returning to the hotel for our final evening meal together.

B, D

DAY 10

After breakfast, we bid farewell to Bradford 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

HOTELS

Best Western Valley Hotel, Ironbridge

Situated in the heart of Ironbridge, the Valley Hotel is a Georgian listed building with a riverside setting and offers a stylish restaurant serving delicious cuisine and a cosy bar overlooking the River Severn. The modern bedrooms provide an en-suite bathroom, flat-screen TV, free Wi-Fi, and tea/coffee making facilities.

Mill Hotel & Spa, Chester

Located on the banks of the Shropshire Union Canal, the historic Mill Hotel offers beautiful canalside dining, a relaxing bar and lounge, and fantastic leisure facilities including an indoor pool, sauna, and gym. The stylish bedrooms provide an en-suite bathroom with complimentary toiletries, a hairdryer, flat-screen TV, free Wi-Fi, and tea/coffee making facilities.

Oaks Hotel, Burnley

Situated within landscaped gardens and a tranquil environment, the Oaks Hotel preserves the grandeur of a bygone era and offers traditional dishes served in the ornate Quills Restaurant, a relaxing Lounge & Bar, and leisure facilities including a heated indoor pool, steam room, and jacuzzi. The traditional bedrooms provide an en-suite bathroom with complimentary toiletries, a hairdryer, flat-screen TV, free Wi-Fi, and tea/coffee making facilities.

Midland Hotel, Bradford

Nestled in the heart of Bradford, the Midland Hotel is rich with history and magnificent architecture furnished with grand high ceilings and glittering chandeliers. The comfortable bedrooms provide an en-suite bathroom, a hairdryer, flat-screen TV, free Wi-Fi, and tea/coffee making facilities.

FARES

Fare Region	First*	Standard
London: Out - Euston, Rtn - Kings Cross	£2,209	£2,075
Greater London	£2,219	£2,089
South of England	£2,275	£2,105
East Anglia	£2,305	£2,125
South West	£2,205	£2,075
Heart of England	£2,105	£2,019
Midlands	£2,015	£1,989
Yorkshire	£2,195	£2,085
North East	£2,329	£2,159
North West	£2,119	£2,019
South Wales	N/A	£2,025
North Wales	£2,075	£2,019
Scotland	£2,279	£2,115
Join & Leave at Hotels	£1,955
Single Traveller Supplement	£450
Deposit	£195

*Please Note: Some local and regional train services are Standard Class seating only and First Class ticket holders will travel in standard class accommodation for these sections of their journey.

£20 tour discount for holders of National Railcards

September Departure Supplement £40

9 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
6th June 2026	£1,935 Per person	Book Now	Callback
12th September 2026	£1,975 Per person	Book Now	Callback

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Valley Hotel, Ironbridge

Mill Hotel & Spa, Chester

Oaks Hotel, Burnley

Midland Hotel, Bradford

Blists Hill

Severn Valley Railway

Visit Chester

Visit Liverpool

Pontcysyllte Aqueduct

Llangollen Railway

Bridgewater Canal

East Lancashire Railway

Weavers Triangle

Queen Street Mill Textile Museum

Keighley & Worth Valley Railway

Saltaire Village

Severn Valley Railway ©SVR

Chester ©Shutterstock

River Dee ©Shutterstock

Liverpool, Albert Dock ©Shutterstock

Liverpool, Hop-on/Hop-off ©Shahid Khan

Llangollen Canal ©Dreamstime

Pontcysyllte Aqueduct ©Shutterstock

Llangollen Railway ©Shutterstock

Keighley & Worth Valley Railway ©Shutterstock

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