Experience Two Historic Journeys in the Heart of the Yorkshire Dales!
Skipton Boat Trips and the Embsay & Bolton Abbey Steam Railway have joined together to offer a nostalgic Yorkshire day out, whether you choose to enjoy both attractions in one day or spread your visit across multiple days.
Begin your adventure with Skipton Boat Trips, where you’ll board our 59-foot canal boat, Cobbydale, for a relaxing cruise along the historic Leeds & Liverpool Canal. As you glide through beautiful Yorkshire countryside, enjoy panoramic views from the comfort of the boat, complete with central heating, onboard facilities, and a fully licensed bar serving hot and cold drinks. Accompanying your journey is an entertaining recorded commentary from comedian Dave Spikey, bringing the history of Skipton, the canal, and local wildlife to life.
After your canal cruise, continue your journey through time with a visit to the Embsay & Bolton Abbey Steam Railway. The railway is located approximately 10 minutes by car from Skipton, taking you through some of the beautiful scenery of the southern Yorkshire Dales. Free limited parking is available at both attractions, making it easy to travel between them.
At the railway, step aboard lovingly restored Victorian and Edwardian carriages and enjoy a heritage steam train journey through picturesque countryside. Departing from either Embsay or Bolton Abbey station, you’ll travel between two beautifully preserved stations, each featuring cafĂ©s, gift shops, exhibitions, and period charm. The train journey takes around 20 minutes each way, with plenty of time to explore at your leisure.
For those able, the mile-and-a-half walk from Bolton Abbey Station to the magnificent ruins of Bolton Abbey beside the River Wharfe is highly recommended and rewards visitors with some of the finest scenery in the Yorkshire Dales.
Together, these two unique attractions offer a wonderful opportunity to experience Yorkshire’s rich transport heritage, combining the gentle pace of canal travel with the romance of steam railways.
How to book a Rail & Sail ticket
- Start by booking your Sail ticket – choose the day and time you’d like to travel and add it to your cart.
- Once the Sail ticket is in your cart, you’ll see a new section appear called Upgrade Your Experience – Add More to Your Booking.
- Scroll to the bottom of this section to find the option to add the Rail portion. Select it to complete your Rail & Sail package.