Crewing the Tall Ships
Holiday brief
We’ve followed the annual Tall Ships race for years now and this time around is
Liverpool
’s turn. With the city enjoying it’s year as the capital of culture it promises to be an outstanding event and not
to be missed. The city authorities are still in the planning process with
regards to the day to day happenings and so we are unable to be too specific
about what we will be doing but with Inside Track
’s experience you can be assured that both Tall Ships days will be works of art.
We have chosen to avoid the crowds by basing ourselves in nearby Crewe (only 45
minutes by train) and have devised an itinerary that not only includes the
event but also encompasses other highlight attractions in the area.
A familiar sight in Crewe!
OUTLINE ITINERARY
Friday – We meet at Stockport Station around lunchtime and immediately transfer to
nearby Poynton. Here, amid the flowers and railway memorabilia, we enjoy our
first taste of steam courtesy of our friends at the Brookside Railway. Later we
track south to Crewe and visit The Railway Age Museum located in and around
Crewe North Signalbox before checking into our hotel.
Saturday – Today is our big day out to the Tall Ships celebrations in Liverpool,
guaranteed to be a memorable occasion. We
’ll travel to and from the event by rail and allow plenty of free time to visit
the ships, the extensive maritime museum and soak up the atmosphere. To enhance
the day we
’ll take to the water aboard a privately hired steam tug. With open rail tickets
you will be able to return to Crewe whenever you are ready.
Sunday – A circular tour takes us first by rail to Blythe Bridge for standard gauge
steam at the expanding Foxfield Railway. Our next destination is the charming
Churnet Valley Line. This is surely one of the country
’s most pleasant preserved railway lines running alongside the Caldon Canal for a
return trip in excess of 10 miles. We
’ll wend our way back to Crewe via a lakeside stop near Leek.
Monday – It’s back to the Tall Ships today. Leaving Crewe by rail once again we explore the
Wirral side of the water. Included today are the excellent Ellesmere Port Boat
Museum, trams in Birkenhead and a waterborne trip with the Mersey Ferries. In
the afternoon we
’ll settle at an ideal vantage point for an included lunch and to view the “Parade of Sail” as the ships leave the Mersey for the open sea.
OUR HOTEL
The Crewe Arms Hotel, Crewe
Situated directly opposite Crewe Railway Station the Crewe Arms is a long
established, three-star, railway hotel. Being an older building, we should
point out that there is no lift but all rooms are en-suite and come with
tea/coffee making facilities, T.V., hairdryer, iron and trouser press. The
restaurant boasts an extensive menu and the staff are friendly and welcoming.
Tuesday – Our last day takes in a literal holiday highlight as we visit “The Cathedral of the Waterways” the Anderton Boat Lift. We take a boat trip through this amazing piece of
Victorian ingenuity and then a gentle cruise on the River Weaver. Afterwards we
travel across to the historic City of Chester for a guided tour before setting
down at the station for homeward bound trains.
Special Note: This holiday may seem expensive but our Tall Ships extravaganzas
always involve a level of hospitality above the norm and a number of special
arrangements to enhance the overall experience. Rest assured that this most
certainly will represent excellent value for money.
Date & Price
Tour Ref: CT5/1
Friday July 18th (5 days)
£529.00
Price Variation
Single supplement £15.00 per night
Ferry ‘cross the Mersey
