Holidays 2026
Departs: Wednesday 20th May 2026 | 5 Days
Pennine Explorer
Tour Price: £599.00 per person
Your Holiday Centre
The town of Preston grew near the site of a Roman fort at Walton-le-Dale, on a ridge overlooking the River Ribble. Preston had become an important market town and administrative centre. Its Market Place still occupies the same location some 1,000 years later. In 1179 Preston's first Royal Charter was granted. By the 1500's Preston was a centre of the woollen and linen trade. The Victorians added the Covered Market, in Market Street, Orchard Street, and Miller Arcade. The picturesque Georgian town was then transformed by the Industrial Revolution, bringing mills, engineering works, housing, canals, and railways. The River Ribble enabled Preston to become a trading port from the mid-14th century, with that growth leading to its development of an 18th-century quay and large inland dock in the 19th century. In 1777 the first cotton-spinning mill was built. By 1835 there were 40 factories, mainly spinning, producing 70,000 pounds (32,000 kg) of cotton yarn weekly. Cotton was the principal employer for more than 150 years, and famous names such as Horrockses took their cotton cloth all around the world. Preston is also where the inventors Richard Arkwright and John Kay developed the water frame textile spinning machine.
Tour Inclusions
- All coach travel
- Porterage
- 4 nights half board
- Excursions
- Rail journey
- Guided tour Pendle Witches
- Boat cruise
- Services of courier
Special Notes
- Insurance.
- Please inform us of any special dietary needs e.g: diabetic, gluten-free, vegetarian, etc.
- Special requests are put forward to the hotel, and they will do their utmost to accommodate your needs.
- The itinerary could be subject to change.
Tour Price
- Price Per Person
- £599.00
Single Room Supplement: £148.00
(Double/twin for sole use)
Your Accommodation
Delta by Marriott Preston
Garstang Road, Broughton, Preston PR3 5JB.
Tel: 01772 864087.
The Delta Hotels by Marriott Preston was renovated in 2023 and is located a 4-minute drive from the M6 motorway. It was formerly a Victorian manor.
The hotel offers elegant Lancashire countryside accommodation. Experience the upscale vibe of the hotel, where modern comforts meet elegant surroundings.
All rooms have en-suite bathrooms, TV, hairdryer, tea/coffee making facilities, Wi-Fi and complimentary bottled water.
Enjoy breakfast and dinner at Cast Iron Bar & Grill with garden views, The Brew Bar lounge serves tantalizing shareable plates and light snacks, as well as all types of bar cocktails and craft beers.
Take the plunge in the indoor pool or work out in the hotel gym.
Tour Itinerary
Day 1: Depart Local Area
After boarding your luxury coach, you start your journey travelling north; with a comfort stop en-route. Arriving at the Marriott Preston Hotel, where you will spend the next 4 nights with half board.
Day 2: Settle to Carlisle Railway
Today we first travel to Settle to enjoy a classic rail journey on the Settle to Carlisle Railway, which is considered the most scenic rail journey in England as it winds through moorland scenery and over the famous Ribblehead Viaduct. We depart the train at Kirkby Stephen, where our coach will be waiting to take us back through beautiful scenery to our hotel in Preston. Time to chill out before dinner.
Day 3: Skipton Canal Cruise
After breakfast we take a leisurely ride into Yorkshire to the town of Skipton where a narrow boat awaits you to take you on a (1hr) trip along the Leeds-Liverpool Canal, tea/coffee and biscuits are provided. On our return to Skipton there is its ever-popular Friday market. Stall holders and shoppers barter with each other along the high street which is close to the town's impressive medieval cast. Time to shop or explore, before returning to the hotel.
Day 4: Ribble Valley & Pendle Witches Tour
Today we will experience an enlightening and informative full day Pendle Witches and Ribble Valley tour and hear all about the mystical legends of these fascinating and beautiful areas of Lancashire. Our local guide will meet us at Huntley's on A59 for a very interesting tour. There will be stops throughout the day for comfort and lunch. We return later back to the hotel.
Day 5: Depart for Home
After breakfast and our cases have been loaded onto the coach, we say farewell to our hosts at the hotel and we start our journey home with stops en-route. You should arrive back in your local area from late afternoon to early evening.