Say farewell to Manchester... for today, we’re heading into a fictional land, of sorts. This tour is for our literature fans out there, and our first stop on the tour is known as 'the hillside home' of the Brontë family, the town of Haworth.
Yep. Those Brontë sisters we know and love. Wander the town they once called home, soak up the history. You may even be able to visit the former Brontë home which is now The Brontë Parsonage Museum (however, please note their opening times vary and may not always be open while on tour). As for the lovely town of Haworth itself? Quaint, quiet, and quality... the essentials for any English village. You’ll delight in the shops, cafes, and cobblestoned streets. Wandering around, maybe you’ll see why the Brontë sisters were inspired by the community they grew up in.
And for fans of the series The Railway Children, make sure to check out the steam railway at Oakworth Station just down the road, which was featured in the production. Grab yourself a bite for lunch at one of the many cafes or get some takeaway and enjoy pretty views as you wander the area.
Our drive continues through the lovely landscapes of the Yorkshire Dales. It’s a breathtaking view to be sure. Meandering hills, craggy moorlands, and romantic valleys stretch out all around you. But what you take notice of most is the limestone. From cliffs to caves, outcrops to scars, this moody rock is found at every turn.
We arrive at our next destination, the market town of Grassington. Often referred to as the 'beating heart of the Yorkshire Dales', you may recongise it as the fictional market town of Darrowby in the series of All Creatures Great & Small. And just a short five-minute walk from the car park, you'll find the beauty of Linton Falls. If there's been plenty of rain (it is the UK, after all), you'll hear their thunderous call as you approach. You have free time in Grassington to explore and grab a bite to eat.
And just to really showcase the beauty of this region, it's next onto Aysgarth Falls. This three-stepped waterfall has drawn people to it for over 200 years, including the famous, from poet William Wordsworth to painter JMW Turner. You might also recognise them from the movie Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves.
Now it's time for something a little different... but perhaps even more exciting. Cheese. We arrive at Wensleydale Creamery, custodians of a 1000-year-old heritage. From their iconic, creamy, crumbly classic Yorkshire Wensleydale Cheese to the rich, buttery flavours of Fountains Gold, this is a cheese-lovers dream.
Our final stop of the day is the stunning Ribblehead Viaduct. A proud display of Victorian engineering, this impressive statement structure has incredible views of the Three Peaks mountains.
After a few photos and a bit of awe, you jump back on the bus and head back to Manchester, arriving in the early evening.
Do you offer hotel pickups in the departure cities?
The UK and Ireland's historic city centres are full of narrow streets and winding roads. So, to speed up your departure, we only pick up from our central meeting points. What's more is leaving the city using the most direct route also reduces the carbon footprint of our tours.
Is there parking close to the departure point?
We don't recommend bringing your car into the centre of our departure cities. It can be hard to find parking, and there are excellent public transportation services.
When should I get to the departure point?
Arrive 15 minutes before your departure time. Due to waiting restrictions, we can't wait for you if you're late.
What happens if I'm late or miss the tour?
If you're late for your tour, our cancellation policy applies. 100% charges are applicable, and you will not be entitled to a refund or alternative.
What are your cancellation policies?
Your cancellation terms depend on which tour you've booked.
For one-day tours: You'll receive a full refund if you cancel 24 hours or more before the tour departure
For tours of between two and nine days: You'll receive a 90% refund if you cancel 15 or more days before the tour departure
For tours of 10 or more days: You'll receive a 90% refund if you cancel 21 or more days before the tour departure
For all scheduled packaged tours: You'll receive a 90% refund if you cancel 56 days before the tour departure.
If you cancel inside these notice periods, full charges will apply and no refunds will be issued.
To cancel your booking, email tours@rabbies.com as soon as possible. The effective date of cancellation will be the date we receive written confirmation from you.
Click here to view terms and conditions
Can Itineraries change?
Your tour will always follow the itinerary as closely as possible. Your driver-guide will keep you up to date on the road, and we'll try to get in touch about any large changes prior to your departure.
Can I pre-book a specific seat?
Due to logistical reasons, we're unable to let you pre-book a seat on the bus. But our comfortable 16-seat mini-coaches have huge windows. So, you'll always get a good view.
Are there toilets on the bus?
Unfortunately, we have no on-board toilet facilities, but you'll have regular comfort breaks.
How do you cater for people with accessibility needs?
We aim to accommodate everyone. To read more information on how we do this, click
here
to go to our accessibility guide.
Do you take children on your tours?
We regret we don't carry children under the age of five on our scheduled tours.
You can ask us about the tours we recommend for younger children. And if your child is less than 1.35m tall, you should let us know, so we can provide them with a suitable booster seat.
How much time do I get off the bus?
We want you to enjoy Britain and Ireland. And we believe the best way to do this is to get you off the mini-coach and out exploring. So, we give you plenty of time to take photos, go walking, and explore ancient ruins.
Why do you exclude visitor attractions?
We exclude visitor attractions in your tour price because it lets you travel your way. It means you can pamper yourself with a luxury lunch or skip an attraction whenever you feel like it.
Do we need to bring our own lunch?
You don't need to. We stop in small towns, villages, and rural eateries where you can choose whatever meal pleases both your taste buds and your budget.
Should I tip the driver-guide?
Let's be honest, our driver-guides would never refuse a cheeky bonus. But it's up to you, and the amount is entirely at your discretion.
What about travel insurance?
We advise you take out travel insurance.
What is ABTOT?
You're protected by ABTOT when you chose to let us reserve your accommodation on a multi-day tour. This means you can claim back anything you've paid us if we become bankrupt. Read our
terms and conditions
for more information.
I have more questions, who can help me?
If you have any more questions, call us on +44(0)131 226 3133, email
tours@rabbies.com
, or check out our full
FAQs
.
