Lake District Steam Extravaganza

ITINERARY

Day 1 – Bowness-on-Windermere

Meet at our hotel which is set on the shores of Lake Windermere, offering breathtaking scenery. Windermere railway station is 2 miles away. We have a welcome dinner this evening.

Day 2 – Threlkeld Quarry and Mining Museum Steam Gala

We spend the morning at the Threlkeld Quarry and Mining Museum Steam Gala admiring the resident Bagnall saddle tank “Sir Tom” and other visiting locomotives. After lunch we cruise on Lake Ullswater on board one of Ullswater “Steamers” heritage vessels.

Day 3 – Cumbria Steam Gathering

A full day at the Cumbria Steam Gathering which we are sure will maintain the tradition of presenting both quantity and quality of preserved vehicles and machinery featuring splendid steam engines and vintage commercial vehicles, as well as hundreds of classic transport favourites including cars, motorcycles, bicycles, agricultural and industrial tractors, farm equipment and stationary engines.

Day 4 – Lakeside and Haverthwaite Railway

We return to the water today cruising across England’s largest lake to Lakeside where we join the Lakeside and Haverthwaite Railway. Enjoy a shed tour before continuing to Old Hall Farm for lunch. Old Hall Farm is worked using 19th Century methods, horses work alongside steam and early vintage tractors. Return to our hotel by train and “steamer” across the lake.

Day 5 – La’al Ratty

A day at the miniature Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway, one of the oldest and longest narrow gauge railways in England, known affectionately as La’al Ratty meaning “little railway“ in olde Cumbrian dialect. It was 107 years ago in April 1913 that the original 3ft line closed and in 1915 the new 15in La’al Ratty was born. We travel behind the steam locomotives and visit the Railway Museum which tells the story of the railway. Lunch is included.

Day 6 – Steam Gondola and Cumbrian Coast

After a morning at leisure we have time for lunch in Coniston before taking a Full Lake Tour on the National Trust Steam Gondola. During our cruise we will hear about the colourful history of Gondola and how she was rescued from a watery grave on the lake bed, as well as Donald Campbell and his pursuit of the world water speed record on Coniston Water. We then take an early evening train around the coast from Barrow to Carlisle.

Day 7 – Settle and Carlisle to Keighley and Worth Valley Railway

We journey on the Settle and Carlisle Railway through the attractive scenery of the Yorkshire Dales and Cumbrian Fells, passing famous Victorian architecture, huge stone viaducts, long tunnels and remote wayside station buildings. At Keighley we join a steam hauled train through the Worth Valley. Built to serve the local mill trades in the late 19th Century, the railway is just over 4.5 miles long, yet still manages to pack six stations in. We retrace our steps to Carlisle.

Day 8 – Farewell

After a leisurely breakfast it is time to check out and say farewell before travelling home independently.