Discover the Magic - Scenic Lancashire Rail & Sail

DISCOVER THE MAGIC OF SCENIC LANCASHIRE RAIL & SAIL

 

20 – 24 April 2026

Monday – Friday

5 Days

From £655

 

Step into the heart of Lancashire and uncover the charm, history, and stunning scenery that make this Lancashire Rail & Sail holiday a truly unforgettable experience.

 

Whether you're a lover of heritage, a curious explorer, or someone simply seeking a relaxing getaway, this holiday offers something for everyone. 

 

HOLIDAY HIGHLIGHTS

 

Samlesbury Hall   |   Canal Boat Cruise   |   East Lancashire Railway   |  Ribble Valley Scenic Drive   |   Oswaldtwistle Mills   |  Bury Market  |  Gawthorpe Hall   |   Southport

 

DAY ONE - Arrival

We depart from your home and travel to Southport for lunch before continuing to our hotel on the outskirts of Preston. Tea/coffee await you whilst your luggage is taken to your rooms, time to relax before dinner.

 

DAY TWO – Samlesbury Hall & Canal Boat Cruise

We begin our day early and head to Samlesbury Hall and our 1 hour guided tour of the fabulous half-timbered black & white medieval house built in 1325 as a family home. 

 

This afternoon we travel to Riley Green Marina to embark upon a narrow boat cruise along the Leeds Liverpool Canal.  Our 3-hour cruise passes through delightful countryside including Withnell Fold Nature Reserve, past the old Paper Mill and onto 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 the spacious, accessible boat with each table offering panoramic views of the canal.

 

DAY THREE – East Lancashire Railway and Gawthorpe Hall

Today you will travel in style aboard the famous East Lancashire Railway.

 

From Bury Station we board a heritage steam train for a trip on the East Lancs. Railway, dis-embarking at Rawtenstall where we meet the coach.

 

We then make our way to Gawthorpe Hall. Affectionately referred to as the ‘Downton of the North’, Gawthorpe Hall was redesigned in the 1850s by Sir Charles Barry, designer of the Houses of Parliament and the ‘real’ Downton Abbey, Highclere Castle. The modest Hall houses the North West’s largest collection of portraits on loan from the National Portrait Gallery as well as The Gawthorpe Textiles Collection, a wonderful collection of intricate lace, embroidery and needlework amassed by Miss Rachel Kay-Shuttleworth.

 

DAY FOUR – Oswaldtwistle Mills and Ribble Valley Scenic Drive

We enjoy a scenic drive through the countryside to Oswaldtwistle Mills Shopping Village and garden centre. This award-winning former weaving mill has over 100 retailers under one roof, 5 restaurants, ice cream parlour, garden centre, mill grounds, craft and sewing centre, Textile & Heritage Museum and even its own wildfowl reserve. We enjoy lunch here of homemade pie and peas, with tea and coffee.   

 

We’ll then enjoy a leisurely drive through the Ribble Valley before returning to our hotel.

 

DAY FIVE – Departure & Bury Market

This morning after breakfast we depart our hotel and travel to Bury to enjoy a couple of hours browsing the market, perhaps pick up some goodies. We then continue our homeward journey.

 

YOUR HOLIDAY INCLUDES

Luxury coach travel

Home pick-up

4 nights accommodation, dinner & breakfast

Porterage on arrival and departure

Welcome tea/coffee on arrival

Tea/coffee after dinner each evening

Guided visit to Samlesbury Hall

3-hour Canal cruise with 2 course lunch

Keighley & Worth Railway journey

Entrance to Oswaldtwistle Mills Shopping Village with one course lunch and tea/coffee.

Admission to Gawthorpe Hall

Free use of the hotel leisure facilities.

 

*Please be aware admission to National Trust Properties is part of the total package of your holiday, therefore no refunds are available to National Trust Members.

 

MERCURE DUNKENHALGH HOTEL & SPA, BLACKBURN

The Mercure Blackburn Dunkenhalgh Hotel & spa is set inside a beautiful 700-year- old country manor house.  The building retains many of its original features, including turrets, porticos, and a vast staircase; the hotel was completely refurbished in 2020.  Set amongst the iconic Lancashire countryside with its own extensive landscaped grounds.  A perfect place for a relaxing break.  An impressive heated indoor pool and modern fitness centre. Wi-Fi.

*Some rooms are located in separate blocks – Pendle & Executive - to the rear of the hotel (these two blocks have covered walkway).  The Courtyard block is only 1 minute from main hotel/ no covered walkway).

All single rooms are double/twin for sole occupancy.

 

GROUP BOOKINGS

Looking to take a group, if you book 20 places or more on this tour the tour organiser will go Free of Charge.

 

YOUR HOLIDAY INCLUDES

Luxury coach travel

Home pick-up

4 nights accommodation, dinner & breakfast

Porterage on arrival and departure

Welcome tea/coffee on arrival

Tea/coffee after dinner each evening

Guided visit to Samlesbury Hall

3-hour Canal cruise with 2 course lunch

Keighley & Worth Railway journey

Entrance to Oswaldtwistle Mills Shopping Village with one course lunch and tea/coffee.

Admission to Gawthorpe Hall

Free use of the hotel leisure facilities.

 

*Please be aware admission to National Trust Properties is part of the total package of your holiday, therefore no refunds are available to National Trust Members.

 

MERCURE DUNKENHALGH HOTEL & SPA, BLACKBURN

The Mercure Blackburn Dunkenhalgh Hotel & spa is set inside a beautiful 700-year- old country manor house.  The building retains many of its original features, including turrets, porticos, and a vast staircase; the hotel was completely refurbished in 2020.  Set amongst the iconic Lancashire countryside with its own extensive landscaped grounds.  A perfect place for a relaxing break.  An impressive heated indoor pool and modern fitness centre. Wi-Fi.

*Some rooms are located in separate blocks – Pendle & Executive - to the rear of the hotel (these two blocks have covered walkway).  The Courtyard block is only 1 minute from main hotel/ no covered walkway).

All single rooms are double/twin for sole occupancy.

 

HOTEL FACILITIES INCLUDE

General	Rooms	Accessibility
4 star	Tea/coffee making facilities
Bar	Television
Restaurant	Hairdryer
Lounge	Wi-Fi

 

GROUP BOOKINGS

Looking to take a group, if you book 20 places or more on this tour the tour organiser will go Free of Charge.

 

DAYS	TOUR DATE	DEPARTS	TERMS	SUPPLEMENT
5	20 – 24 APR 2026	MONDAY	£655	£120 SINGLE
JONES HOLIDAYS INSURANCE			£36

 

Rooms are allocated on a first come first served basis and are limited. If no single supplement applies this is limited to the tour single room allocation and therefore additional cost may apply. Prices displayed are per person unless otherwise stated. If door-to-door pick-up is included there may be additional charges for out of area. Itineraries and hotel inclusions may be subject to change. Covid-19 restrictions may apply. When making bookings you accept on behalf of yourself and your party the terms in our Trading Charter which can be found in our brochure, on our website at http://www.jonesholidays.co.uk/Jones-holidays-trading-charter, or a copy can be requested from our Sales office. If your holiday is more than 56 days from departure, we offer a 7-day cooling off period where a full refund will be offered from the date of the initial confirmation invoice (with the exception of flight holidays).

Mercure Dunkenhalgh Hotel & Spa, Blackburn Samlesbury Hall Gawthorpe Hall Keighley & Worth Valley Railway Oswaldtwistle Mills