North of England by train vacation

Planet

We are continually increasing our range of public transport vacations for those who want to leave the car behind. We grapple with the timetables of trains, boats and buses, and fill-in the gaps with short taxi transfers to make this possible in the more remote areas. Not having a car in-tow can transform your experience – exploring on foot and by bike helps you to properly engage with the environment and experience the place at a more appropriate, slower pace.

We encourage our customers to try local produce – and provide recommendations for the best places to visit to do this. From seaweed lamb on Shetland and Orkney to langoustines, crabs and scallops caught off the west coast; from many varieties of Scottish cheese to all sorts of Irish bread and baking… not forgetting local ales from microbreweries and the chance to sample a dram of Scotch whisky or Irish whiskey.

The accommodation providers we select share this commitment – many have kitchen gardens growing their own herbs, salad and vegetables, and some even have chickens roaming in the grounds to provide eggs for breakfast. Dinner menus focus on local specialities. We make it possible for our vacationmakers to learn more directly from the producers around the Yorkshire Dales and Peak District.

We predominantly market our vacations via the internet. We produce a small quantity of compact brochures each year for past customers and inquirers. If we do have any left over, we ensure these are recycled.

People

For us, true sustainability means promoting and helping to maintain a way of life in remote, often rural locations, where the economic benefit from tourism can make a genuine difference. That’s why we work almost exclusively with local, family-run businesses, not with large corporate organisations.

On this trip, guests will stay in locally run B&B's in Haydon Bridge and York, where they are also given a pass which encourages them to explore many of the local museums and galleries. Local food and restaurants are pointed out, such as the historic Kings Arms in York and trying local produce is a focus on the trip.

We build close and lasting relationships with our business partners, based on mutual trust and an unerring commitment to customer satisfaction.
We directly employ a small team of local people in Glasgow. We offer part-time and flexible working. We ensure staff undertake at least two recce visits in a year so that they have first-hand experience and knowledge of our products throughout Scotland, England and Ireland. All staff share our values of environmental and sustainable responsibility.

We are corporate members of the John Muir Trust, an organisation committed to protecting the wild land of the Scottish highlands and islands.
We are members of AITO, the Association of Independent Tour Operators, and adhere to their strict code of conduct.