Cumbrian Transport Adventure

 ‘Cumbrian Transport Adventure: With just a touch of Strictly’

15^th – 18^th April 2024

 

Mike Kay describes a forthcoming tour that has been two years in the making. Reserve the dates and get your booking in now.

 

This is a tour that meets Friends’ requests for visits to the more difficult-to-access venues. It is a VIP tour that features the Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway, including a shed visit. We will travel from Barrow in Furness on the beautiful Cumbrian Coast rail line. Make sure you sit on the left!  Also in the itinerary is a tour of Ullswater, which includes a guided cruise of the full length of the lake from Pooley Bridge to Glenridding. We will sail on two unique vessels: M.V. ‘Lady of the Lake’ built in 1887 and M.V. Raven built in 1889 by the Ullswater Steam Navigation Company. We will be taking lunch in the 5-star ‘Inn on the Lake’, their superb restaurant overlooking Ullswater.

 

We will spend an afternoon visiting Blackpool Transport, with a chance to see and ride on the Heritage fleet. A guided tour of the Tower and Ballroom is included, with no doubt a few references to ‘Strictly’. Our travel is through the good offices of Avanti West Coast on direct trains. You will have the chance to upgrade on board to ‘Standard Premium’, where you travel in a First-Class coach (but with no catering). Our party will have pre-boarding.

 

We are staying in one of Blackpool’s finest hotels for three nights, Hampton by Hilton, on a Dinner Bed and Breakfast basis. The hotel is situated on the New South Prominade with its own tram stop.

 

WHAT IS INCLUDED:

• Return rail travel Euston/Blackpool North
• Hotel transfers
• Blackpool tram tour and Rigby Road guided visit
• Return double-deck Palladium bus transfer to Barrow in Furness. (These vehicles are fitted out as coaches and give superb views.)
• Return rail travel on the Cumbrian Coast line to Ravenglass.
• Return travel to Dalegarth, shed visit and lunch
• Palladium bus transfer to Pooley Bridge, Ullswater, with return guided cruise to Glenridding. Morning coffee on embarkation.
• Three course lunch with tea/coffee at the 5-Star ‘Inn on the Lake’
• Guided tour of Blackpool Tower and ballroom including lift.
• Blackpool Travel Pass (Thursday)
• After-dinner presentation by Blackpool Transport.
• Souvenir ticket and bag tag, tour booklet and services of your Tour Manager throughout.

 

As this is a very active itinerary, you must be able to walk unaided to take part.

 

Why are we asking Friends to book so early?

In the past, a number of prospective tour participants have found the tour was fully booked or they could not get the room (s) they wanted. As prices continue to rise, by booking early we are able to obtain as many rooms as needed, at realistic prices, and secure competitive rail fares. We have been able to reserve a considerable number of single rooms.

 

We believe this will be one of our most enjoyable tours up to our “Gold Badge” standard.

 

Please send in your booking form as soon as you can to reserve a place. The full tour cost is £497 (single supplement £125). There is just a £50 deposit, which is fully refundable up until two months prior to departure. Closing date for Bookings: 31st January 2024.

 

The Booking Form and Instuctions can be downloaded using either of the links below :-

Booking form as a Word document

Booking form as a PDF document

​Booking instructions are also be in the Autumn edition of the Friends Magazine.