Traditional Lancashire by Sail & Rail 2026
East Lancashire Railway Credit Liam Barnes
Leeds & Liverpool Canal Cruise
Gawthorpe Hall © National Trust Images Chee-Wai Lee www.nationaltrust.org.uk
Oswaldtwistle Mills
Ribble Valley
Samlesbury Hall
Enjoy discovering lovely Lancashire by steam train and narrow boat on our most popular Northwest packaged tour. With visits to Samlesbury Hall and Gawthorpe Hall also included, we find heritage and history around every corner.
PACKAGED ITINERARY
Day 1 Arrival
We arrive at our hotel in time for dinner.
Day 2 Samlesbury Hall & Canal Cruise
We begin our day with a guided tour of Samlesbury Hall. This fabulous half-timbered black and white medieval house, built in 1325 as a family home, is really brought to life by our guide. We then make our way to Riley Green Marina to embark upon a narrow boat cruise along the Leeds Liverpool Canal. Our 3 hour round trip passes through delightful countryside including Withnell Fold Nature Reserve, past the old Paper Mill and on to the lovely hamlet of Wheelton and Johnsons Hillock Locks before descending and ascending two locks and returning to Riley Green. During our cruise, we enjoy a two- course lunch on our spacious, accessible boat, with each table offering panoramic views of the canal. Please note there is a maximum of 37 passengers for the narrow boat cruise but we have a variety of options if your numbers exceed this. Please advise your Account Manager if you would like an alternative at the time of quotation.
Day 3 Bury Market, East Lancashire Railway & Gawthorpe Hall
This morning we head straight to Bury and its famous market – voted Britain’s best – where we can browse the extensive stalls in the large market hall and outside. After an early lunch it is time to board our train as we step back in time for a nostalgic trip on a steam train along the East Lancashire Railway. Our journey takes us through the beautiful Lancashire countryside to Rawtenstall where we disembark. Our final stop is Gawthorpe Hall, affectionately known as the “Downton of the North” and is a fine example of Elizabethan architecture. Please note: East Lancashire Railway is subject to timetable.
Day 4 Guided Tour of Ribble Valley & Oswaldtwistle Mills
This morning, we join a step on guided tour from Oswaldtwistle to enjoy a scenic drive through the picturesque Ribble Valley, travelling through some well-known places such as Ribchester, built on the site of a Roman fort, and Longridge whose town centre is mostly built from the locally quarried sandstone. Our journey ends at the Oswaldtwistle Mills shopping village and garden centre. This award winning former weaving mill has over 100 retailers under one roof, 5 restaurants, an ice cream parlour, garden centre, mill grounds, craft and sewing centre, Textile and Heritage Museum and even its own wildfowl reserve. After time browsing the shops, we take the weight off our feet and sit down for a traditional Lancashire lunch of pie, mushy peas, bread and a cup of tea (coffee is also available!)
Day 5 Departure
After breakfast, we make our way home.
Day 1 Arrival
We arrive at our hotel in time for dinner.
Day 2 Samlesbury Hall & Canal Cruise
We begin our day with a guided tour of Samlesbury Hall. This fabulous half-timbered black and white medieval house, built in 1325 as a family home, is really brought to life by our guide. We then make our way to Riley Green Marina to embark upon a narrow boat cruise along the Leeds Liverpool Canal. Our 3 hour round trip passes through delightful countryside including Withnell Fold Nature Reserve, past the old Paper Mill and on to the lovely hamlet of Wheelton and Johnsons Hillock Locks before descending and ascending two locks and returning to Riley Green. During our cruise, we enjoy a two- course lunch on our spacious, accessible boat, with each table offering panoramic views of the canal. Please note there is a maximum of 37 passengers for the narrow boat cruise but we have a variety of options if your numbers exceed this. Please advise your Account Manager if you would like an alternative at the time of quotation.
Day 3 Bury Market, East Lancashire Railway & Gawthorpe Hall
This morning we head straight to Bury and its famous market – voted Britain’s best – where we can browse the extensive stalls in the large market hall and outside. After an early lunch it is time to board our train as we step back in time for a nostalgic trip on a steam train along the East Lancashire Railway. Our journey takes us through the beautiful Lancashire countryside to Rawtenstall where we disembark. Our final stop is Gawthorpe Hall, affectionately known as the “Downton of the North” and is a fine example of Elizabethan architecture. Please note: East Lancashire Railway is subject to timetable.
Day 4 Guided Tour of Ribble Valley & Oswaldtwistle Mills
This morning, we join a step on guided tour from Oswaldtwistle to enjoy a scenic drive through the picturesque Ribble Valley, travelling through some well-known places such as Ribchester, built on the site of a Roman fort, and Longridge whose town centre is mostly built from the locally quarried sandstone. Our journey ends at the Oswaldtwistle Mills shopping village and garden centre. This award winning former weaving mill has over 100 retailers under one roof, 5 restaurants, an ice cream parlour, garden centre, mill grounds, craft and sewing centre, Textile and Heritage Museum and even its own wildfowl reserve. After time browsing the shops, we take the weight off our feet and sit down for a traditional Lancashire lunch of pie, mushy peas, bread and a cup of tea (coffee is also available!)
Day 5 Departure
After breakfast, we make our way home.
Delta Hotels by Marriott Preston
Preston, Lancashire
Originally a Victorian manor house, the 4-star hotel is set in beautiful, landscaped grounds yet provides easy access to greater Lancashire, being located just minutes from the M6. All bedrooms are to the Marriott standard with each containing a TV, hairdryer and tea/coffee making facilities. The hotel’s restaurant offers traditional English dishes whilst its coffee house and bar offer a friendly atmosphere where guests can enjoy light snacks and drinks, including cocktails and craft beers. Leisure facilities include a heated indoor pool, sauna and gym and spa treatments are also available (extra charges apply).
Mercure Dunkenhalgh Hotel & Spa
Blackburn, Lancashire
The Mercure Dunkenhalgh Hotel & Spa was originally a 700 year old country manor house, which has been sensitively converted into a 4 star hotel. It has retained many original features in the public areas, including an impressive gothic staircase in the entrance hall. All 175 bedrooms are beautifully decorated and of a good size, and each is equipped with a TV, hairdryer and tea/coffee making facilities. Breakfast and dinner are served in the elegant restaurant and there is also an atmospheric bar area where customers can relax. The hotel has got extensive landscaped grounds, an indoor heated pool, modern fitness centre and spa. Please note due to the historic nature of the building, rooms are split across several wings which can have external access, steps to the rooms
and can also be a fair distance from the public areas.
• Ground floor rooms • Lift • Bar • Restaurant • Tea/coffee in room • Coach parking is on-site & free of charge
Delta Hotels by Marriott Preston
Preston, Lancashire
4 Nights Half Board
Twin from £451pp
Double for Sole Use Supplement £160
Based on Thursday arrivals
Inclusions
• Guided tour of Samlesbury Hall
• 3-hour circular canal cruise including 2 course lunch with tea & coffee
• East Lancashire Railway single journey Bury - Rawtenstall
• Entrance to Gawthorpe Hall
• Step on guided tour of Ribble Valley
• Pie & peas lunch at Oswaldtwistle Mills
Please refer to your quote for hotel inclusions.
Mercure Dunkenhalgh Hotel & Spa
Blackburn, Lancashire
4 Nights Half Board
Twin from £412pp
Double for Sole Use Supplement £119
Based on Monday arrivals
Inclusions
• Guided tour of Samlesbury Hall
• 3-hour circular canal cruise including 2 course lunch with tea & coffee
• East Lancashire Railway single journey Bury - Rawtenstall
• Entrance to Gawthorpe Hall
• Step on guided tour of Ribble Valley
• Pie & peas lunch at Oswaldtwistle Mills
Please refer to your quote for hotel inclusions.
Call to tailor this tour 01732 879191
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