BEST OF BRASS & STEAM RAILWAY
NEW TOUR 2026
Enjoy the Best of Brass on our new tour. Every year on the afternoon and evening of Whit Friday the Saddleworth and District Whit Friday Brass Band Contest takes place to the delight of the gathering crowds. Held annually since 1884, it is often described as the greatest free show on earth.
HOTEL
Mercure Blackburn Dunkenhalgh hotel & Spa, Clayton Le Moors near Blackburn ****
The Mercure Dunkenhalgh Hotel & Spa is set inside a country manor house set in the Lancashire countryside with its own landscaped grounds.
Stylish well equipped en-suite bedrooms Flat screen television Free Wi-Fi Tea, coffee-making facilities Hairdryer Iron & ironing board Cameo Restaurant Cameo Bar Fitness Centre with heated pool & spa Lift
all.accor.com
Day 1
We depart South Wales early morning travelling to our hotel, arriving this afternoon for a two nights stay with dinner on both nights.
Day 2
Today we first make our way to Bury Station to board a heritage steam train for a round trip to Rawtenstall on the East Lancashire Railway. From here we make our way to the village of Delph, made famous in the film Brassed Off. The competition starts at 4pm and you can choose to head to the official arena or enjoy the atmosphere of the street markets on King Street. We return to the hotel for a late dinner.
Internal note: guests can take a folding chair as seating is limited. There is no reserved seating and it is an open air all weather event.
Day 3
After a leisurely breakfast first call into famous Bury Market before commencing our journey back to South Wales.
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
Executive coach travel
2 nights dinner, bed & full English breakfast accommodation in Clayton-le-Moors near Blackburn
Return steam train journey from Bury to Rawtenstall on the East Lancashire Railway
Visit the village of Delph for the Saddleworth and District Whit Friday Brass Band Contest
En route visit to famous Bury Market
Below is a list of pick-up points available on this tour.
Below is a list of pick-up points available on this tour.
| Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Cardiff Gate Services | Cardiff Gate Services CF23 8RA |
| Cardiff West Services | Cardiff West Services Coach Park, CF72 8SA |
| Dyffryn Depot | Edwards Travel Centre, Dyffryn Close, Llansamlet SA6 8QG |
| Edwards Depot LLANTRISANT | Edwards Depot, Llantrisant, CF72 8QZ |
| Magor Services NP26 3YL | Magor Service Coach Park |
| Neath - Railway | Neath - Outside Railway Station, SA11 1BY |
| Newport RAILWAY STATION | Bus Stops outside the RAILWAY STATION,NEWPORT NP20 4AX |
| Port Talbot Customs | Port Talbot Bus Stop OUTSIDE Customs House Just past the Plaza, SA13 1HW |
| Pyle Cross | Pyle Cross, bus stop outside supermarket.Pyle Road CF33 6AG |
| Sarn SERVICES | Sarn SERVICES - Coach Park, CF32 9SY |
| Swansea St Marys Church | Bus stop outside church on Princess Way, Swansea SA1 3LP |
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