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Boon’s Calibre Travel 2026

Glorious Dales, Heritage Rails & Literary Tales

Departs Monday 24th August 2026 for 5 days, half-board

 

This new and exciting tour is based at the Blackwell Grange Hotel, a magnificent 17th-century mansion, with an impressive 1693 Georgian façade, nestled amidst lush parkland on the outskirts of Darlington. Our hotel is the perfect base to explore the surrounding area, and our three excursions take us to the Durham Dales, the Yorkshire Dales and the heather-clad North York Moors. We spend time in the historic towns of Richmond and Barnard Castle, the market town of Leyburn, James Herriot’s Thirsk, Heartbeat’s Goathland, and the fishing town of Whitby, inspiration for Bram Stokers gothic novel, “Count Dracula”. We also pay homage to last year’s 200^th anniversary of passenger rail travel with a ride on the Wensleydale Railway and a visit to the National Railway Museum “Locomotion”. In addition, we include the floral town of Harrogate and the magnificent French-style Bowes Museum & Gardens.

 

Our hotel is the Blackwell Grange, a magnificent 17th-century mansion, with an impressive 1693 Georgian façade, nestled amidst lush parkland on the outskirts of Darlington, in picturesque County Durham. The hotel offers beautifully appointed bedrooms, all with en-suite bathroom, that combine elegant style with modern amenities. All bedrooms are accessible by lift and some have a walk-in shower. Delicious meals, carefully prepared using locally sourced ingredients, are served in the elegant, welcoming Havelocks restaurant. For relaxation, guests have free access to the Spa at Blackwell Grange, which boasts a heated swimming pool, a jacuzzi, and an outdoor woodland sauna. At additional cost, for the ultimate holiday pamper, there are range of luxurious treatments available to help you fully unwind and recharge during your stay.

 

Day 1: On leaving our local boarding points, we head north, stopping en-route in the award-winning floral spa town of Harrogate, with its glorious gardens, graceful architecture and excellent shopping opportunities. On leaving Harrogate, we continue on to our hotel, arriving in good time for dinner.

 

Day 2: Today’s excursion takes us to Shildon, the world's first railway town, where we visit Locomotion, a museum boasting the largest undercover collection of heritage rail vehicles in the world (free entry).  The museum celebrates the early pioneers of the Stockton to Darlington Railway and their impact on the global railway story, and is home to the first ever passenger steam train, Locomotion No1. Time to explore and to visit the café & shop, before we make our way to the historic market town of Barnard Castle, in the beautiful Durham Dales, which takes its name from the imposing castle around which it grew. A haven for discerning shoppers and treasure seekers, the town’s many antique shops and independent retailers provide a charming shopping experience. No visit to Barnard Castle would be complete without a visit to the magnificent Bowes Museum, a hidden treasure, and a jewel in the heart of stunning Teesdale. Purpose built, in a French-style, during the 19th century, by John and Joséphine Bowes, the Museum houses internationally significant collections of fine and decorative arts, fashion & design. The best loved exhibit, and one that is still operated on a daily basis, is the 230 year-old, life-size, Silver Swan bought by the Bowes in 1872. In addition to the outstanding exhibits, there are beautiful gardens and parklands to explore and a superb café.

Day 3: After breakfast today, we head for historic Richmond one of the most dramatically-beautiful, architecturally-rich towns in the north of England. The town, which sits just outside the Yorkshire Dales National Park, is dominated by Richmond Castle, occupying a commanding position above the River Swale, and the cobbled market place is surrounded by fine Georgian buildings. Richmond Museum houses a set from “All Creatures Great & Small” and is worth a visit. Continuing on, we venture into the heart of Wensleydale, to explore the beautiful town of Leyburn, which sits on the northern bank of the River Ure, with its traditional pubs, a wealth of independent shops and plenty of great places to eat and drink. After lunch, we board the Wensleydale Heritage Railway for a scenic journey to Leeming Bar, where we have time to visit the restored station building museum, to learn about rural railway life in the 1920s, and take refreshment in the buffet car café.

 

Day 4: Today we travel into the heart of the stunning North York Moors, where the heather-clad uplands are glowing with the vibrant purple & pink blooms of summer. We pay a visit to the picturesque village of Goathland, well-known as “Aidensfield” in the TV series Heartbeat, before making our way to Whitby, famous as the home of Captain Cook, and the inspiration for Bram Stokers gothic novel, “Count Dracula”. Time to explore this iconic Yorkshire fishing town, with its ruined Abbey and St Mary’s Church, perched high above the harbour, before we return to our hotel.

 

Day 5: We depart from our hotel after breakfast, and commence our journey home. Before leaving the area we visit the vibrant market town of Thirsk, set in the heart of the Vale of Mowbray, N. Yorkshire, with its medieval cobbled market square. The town is famous for its links to the renowned vet & author, Alf Wight, better known as James Herriot, whose beloved stories were inspired by the town and its surrounding landscapes. The town’s award-winning museum “World of James Herriot”, is located in his actual surgery.

 

Includes: 4 nights half-board (dinner, bed & breakfast) in en-suite bedrooms, porterage, adapted rooms, lift, leisure centre, three excursions, visits on outward & return journeys. Entry to Bowes Museum. Wensleydale Railway fare (single journey)

 

Cost per person: £709

Supplement for Single-occupancy of a Double Room: £86 (first 5 rooms, £136 thereafter)

 

 

 

Deposit: £65 per person, balance due 8 weeks prior to travel

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