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Best of Brass & Steam Railway

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.

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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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