The World of James Herriot, Skipton & Yorkshire - JG Explorer

The World of James Herriot Museum, Thirsk & Ripon (full day)

Today we step into the world of James Herriot, the popular author and one of England’s most famous vets. The fascinating museum gives us a glimpse into Herriot’s life where we can see the spaces where he lived, worked and penned his beloved series of books that document his North Yorkshire experiences. There is so much to see, including plenty of memorabilia, a Second World War air-raid shelter, Herriot’s car and the original dispensary filled with potions and remedies.

We then enjoy some free time in picturesque Thirsk, where Herriot moved to in 1940 and remained for the rest of his life. There are some lovely cafés, pubs and shops in the town, all set against the stunning backdrop of the Yorkshire Dales and North York Moors.

Our next stop is the charming city of Ripon, renowned for its narrow, atmospheric streets lined with historic buildings and the ancient cathedral, which boasts the country’s oldest surviving Anglo-Saxon crypt. The city also offers a trio of award-winning museums which delve into the Victorian courthouse, prison and workhouse system.

Leeds & Liverpool Canal, Skipton & Haworth (full day)

This morning we take a relaxing cruise on the Leeds and Liverpool Canal, one of the highlights of the Yorkshire Dales and a lovely way to soak up the surrounding scenery. We then have free time in the market town of Skipton, known as the ‘Gateway to the Dales’ and complete with a grand medieval castle as its centrepiece.

Afterwards, we make our way to Haworth, where the Brontë sisters spent much of their lives. Boasting a historic cobbled main street, the village has a wonderful collection of quaint tea rooms, craft and gift shops, tempting restaurants and cosy pubs while the Brontë’s former home, Haworth Parsonage, is now a museum.

Harrogate & York – £14pp (full day)

On our optional excursion we visit the historic city of York. Make time for the glorious York Minster, the largest Gothic cathedral in northern Europe with world-famous stained-glass windows. Other highlights include the narrow streets of the ‘Shambles’ where the buildings date back to medieval times, the Jorvik Centre which tells the story of York’s Viking heritage, and the ancient walls surrounding the city. The famous Betty’s tea room is also worth a visit after all that exploring!
traditional seaside fun, with its promenade and long, sandy beach, and pebble beach near the harbour,

Next, we head to the elegant Victorian spa town of Harrogate, located in the heart of scenic Yorkshire. Notable sights include the Royal Pump Room and the Grade II listed Royal Hall, and don’t miss the attractive Montpellier Quarter with its pedestrianised streets lined with 19^th-century buildings.

The vibrant and popular city of Leeds attracts more visitors a year than many traditional seaside resorts and as the only city outside of London with its own repertory theatre, opera house and ballet company, it’s easy to see why.

Taking a coach holiday to this cultured metropolis can be a great way to explore the many sights on offer.

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A city steeped in history, culture and attractions, Liverpool is one of the most popular city break destinations in the UK and makes a great destination for a coach break.

Liverpool's most famous sons “The Beatles” are celebrated across the city; from the exhibition in the Albert Dock to the famous Cavern Club where the lads once played, you can map out their incredible journey amongst the vibrancy and history that radiates throughout this city. 

Located in the heart of Yorkshire, the Victorian spa town of Harrogate has plenty to offer its visitors. Famous sights include the Royal Pump Room, the Grade II listed Royal Hall and the Montpellier Quarter with its historic 19th-century buildings. The town offers a brilliant range of shops and boutiques on the famous Commercial Street such as White Rose Sewing, The Cheeseboard, Miss Claire Rose and The Crown Jewellers of Harrogate for you to enjoy as well as a fantastic range of restaurants and bars. The quaint streets are also dotted with quirky galleries and museums exploring the history of Harrogate.

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Book your next trip to York, one of Europe's most popular historic cities, renowned for its Roman, Viking and Medieval heritage with lots of attractions for visitors to enjoy. The streets are full of historic buildings, traditional shops and cafés, and a number of museums and art galleries.

The city’s historic sites are impressive, contained within the city walls which date back to Roman times and are themselves an integral part of York’s unique character.

JG Explorer coaches
We are pleased to introduce JG Explorer – a brand-new deluxe coach, thoughtfully designed to provide an elevated coach experience and ensure your journey is special and memorable.

Exclusive to the JG Travel Group, the design of these coaches has been meticulously thought through with your comfort in mind – with only 44 seats meaning more room on board and padded seats. There’s improved legroom and a footrest, making certain that wherever you sit, you’ll be able to relax and enjoy your journey. We know it’s the small things that make a big difference in terms of ease and added convenience, so our JG Explorer coaches feature a floor-level, rear-mounted toilet, accessible to all customers.

On-board entertainment throughout your journey is easy to find on the JG Explorer, with access to Azimut, our wireless media system, providing films and quizzes. Simply bring along your smartphone or iPad and enjoy this entertainment interruption-free, with the use of our extra reliable Wi-Fi, free to all passengers and a handy USB port at each seat.

The layout of the JG Explorer includes a floor-level, rear-mounted kitchen with a sink, an espresso machine to purchase delicious Nespresso coffee, dispensed by your driver during comfort breaks, and a fridge stocked with cold drinks and milk. Customers are welcome to help themselves to complimentary JG bottles, that can be used for refill at the built-in cold-water filter, cutting down on the need for disposable plastic bottles and doing our part for the environment.