Cumbria's Rail & Romans new tour
Monday 26 October 2026 to Friday 30 October 2026
£825pp Single supplement £169
- Destination
- Itinerary
- Full inclusions
- Hotel
- Booking request
Be quick - selling fast. Twins available, singles/doubles on request.
Why visit Cumbria? The combination of water, mountains, forests and stone villages creates a vast landscape that's increasingly rare in England, an epic vista that overwhelms you with its beauty and scale. Soak it up on one of the world's most famous rail journeys - The Settle-Carlisle Line. The region is rich in Roman history, walk in the footsteps of legendary soldiers along Rome's most northerly frontier and discover how they conquered this challenging landscape.
Why visit with Shaws? In 2024 99% of our holiday customers said they would book again and 99% also said they would recommend us to a friend. In 2025 passengers rated our holidays 4.7/5 for value for money and we've earned the same 4.7/5 star rating on Google reviews. Shaws Coaches has a strong reputation for a dependable service, with a proven track record for punctuality and professionalism. Our friendly booking team and highly-rated tour drivers are ready to welcome you.
What do our customers say? "Enjoyed the ambiance of Vindolanda" • "Overall a very enjoyable trip full of interesting content" • "My first coach holiday with Shaws, very impressed with everything"
Holiday insurance. We always recommend taking out adequate holiday insurance, that's why we’ve partnered with Everywhen & David Oliver Associates who offer cover specifically designed for your coach holiday. To get a quote or purchase a travel insurance policy through David Oliver Associates, call 01371 705159 or click here.
Tour code: B3528
Monday
Pause in the delightful Yorkshire city of Ripon, with its imposing cathedral and pretty market square, before arriving at the hotel. The beautiful Crown Hotel is set in a charming village, just a short walk from the River Eden, abbey and church ruins, if you wish to stretch your legs and get to know your surroundings before dinner.
Tuesday
Take the scenic route into the Lake District this morning, along the shores of Bassenthwaite to the small market town of Keswick. The impressive 19th century Moot Hall (now home to the TIC) dominates the bustling market square and lovely little shops line the streets. Continue your scenic drive to Pooley Bridge where you’ll board an Ullswater Steamer for a one hour cruise across Lake Ullswater to Glenridding. Classic steamers have been sailing across these beautiful waters for 160 years, it’s a wonderful way to soak up the autumnal colours.
Wednesday
More glorious Lake District scenery this morning before arriving in the characterful, riverside town of Kendal. Enjoy the bustle of market day and wander along the High Street which is lined with beautiful buildings housing top retailers and small, friendly boutiques. Continue to Settle Train Station where you’ll embark on one of Europe’s most scenic rail journeys, on the famous Settle-Carlisle Railway. This world-renowned section of track, (part of the national rail network, running diesel engines), offers 360 degree views of Yorkshire’s three peaks, breathtaking views from the top of the Ribblehead Viaduct and the fells of Westmorland.
Thursday
You’ll be met at the hotel this morning by an experienced guide, ready to take you back to the edge of the empire during a journey through Roman rule, along Rome’s most northerly frontier. During a guided coach tour you’ll learn all about the history of Hadrian’s Wall and have the chance to explore the former Roman village of Corbridge - now a hive of local pubs, shops and cafés housed inside beautiful old stone buildings, waiting to welcome you. Continue to Roman Vindolanda Fort & Museum to see one of the best-preserved Roman forts and the home of one of Britain’s top treasures - The Vindolanda Writing Tablets - the oldest surviving handwritten documents Britain. The museum artefacts are constantly being updated as a result of the ongoing excavation programme here, so there’s always something new to see. Note: Hard standing path around the excavation site that is steep in places. Long, steep path between the excavation site and the museum, café and shop however the museum is fully accessible.
Friday
Time to head home, but not before pausing in the historic town of Richmond, on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales.
- 4 night stay with breakfast
- 3 course dinner with tea/coffee each evening (min 3 choices)
- Ullswater Steamer Cruise
- Journey on the Settle-Carlisle Railway
- Guided coach tour of Hadrian's Wall Country
- Entry to Roman Vindolanda Fort & Museum
- Free time in Ripon, Keswick, Kendal, Corbridge & Richmond
- Porterage
- All travel including home collection*
- International Passenger Protection
- Reserved coach seat
- 18kg suitcase pp
- Executive touring coach featuring a refreshment station, reclining seats, reading lights, curtains, foot and arm rests, toilet, safety belts, air suspension and individual air-flow control
- An experienced, friendly, highly-rated and professional tour driver
- Friendly booking team on hand to answer any questions you might have in the run up to your holiday
- LOW DEPOSITS! Just £50pp with the balance due 8 weeks prior to departure
- LOYALTY DISCOUNT! Book 3 holidays (in any calendar year) and save £15pp, book 4+ and save £20pp, just let us know in special requests that you'd like to redeem your discount
- SAVE £10pp by meeting the coach at Maxey, Stamford Bus Station or Peterborough Extra Services
- *Providing you live in Bourne, Stamford, Peterborough, Uppingham, The Deepings, Spalding, Whittlesey, Oakham and most of the villages between them and Maxey (we're happy to collect from outside of our free pick-up area with a small additional charge)
- We’re pleased to offer home collection from the Welwyn area following our successful partnership with Reg’s Coaches. Departures from Welwyn, Welwyn Garden City, Codicote, Woolmer Green, Knebworth, Hatfield, Stevenage and many of the nearby villages incur a small supplement of £30pp. We’re happy to pick up outside these areas, please enquire
Crown Hotel, Wetheral 
- Atmospheric hotel in a pretty village location, originally built in 1700
- Winners of a Tripadvisor 2025 Travellers’ Choice Best of the Best Award (presented to those that earn excellent reviews, ranking them within the top 1% of properties worldwide)
- Ensuite rooms with TV, hairdryer, ironing equipment, safe, phone, complimentary toiletries and tea/coffee tray
- Free WiFi
- Restaurant, bar, lounge, terrace & gardens
- Indoor pool, sauna, steam room, Jacuzzi and gym
- Beauty treatments (extra charge)
- All single rooms are double for sole
ACCESS: No lift, due to the age and nature of the hotel bedrooms and public spaces are split over different areas - some with up to 150m of external access, limited walk-in showers and ground floor rooms on request, ground floor rooms are in the bedroom block which has covered access across the courtyard, steps to the leisure (but can be accessed from outside on the flat)
Please ask us about upgrades which may be available at a supplement