Group Tour Operator and DMC for Lancashire
Best of Brass – ‘The Greatest Free Show on Earth’ – NEW TOUR
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Delph Whit Friday Band Contest, Yorkshire - Brighouse and Rastrick
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Delph Whit Friday Band Contest, Yorkshire
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East Lancashire Railway, Bury ©Liam Barnes
Enjoy the ‘Best of Brass’ on this new group tour. Every year, on the afternoon and evening of Whit Friday, the Saddleworth and District Whit Friday Brass Band Contest take place to the delight of the crowds that gather to watch. Held annually since 1884, it is often described as ‘the greatest free show on earth’. Hundreds of brass bands participate in contests held in the open air at the 11 participating picturesque moorland villages and towns, including the village of Delph which holds the Delph Whit Friday Band Contest. On this trip you also have the opportunity to explore the golden age of steam on the East Lancashire Railway before returning home.
Dates
23rd May 2024; 13th June 2025
Suggested itinerary by coach
Thursday
Travel to your hotel
Greatdays can suggest places to call into on the way to Rochdale.
Friday
Best of Brass – Delph Whit Friday Band Contest
This morning is free for you to take breakfast at leisure and make use of the hotel ample leisure facilities. We then enjoy a hot 3-course buffet lunch at the hotel before leaving for the competition.
We arrive in the village of Delph, made famous for featuring in the film ‘Brassed Off’, at 2.30pm in time for the competition starting at 4.30pm. There are plenty of places to eat and drink in Delph, and facilities available. Guests may head to the official arena for the contest march on Gartside Street, whilst those who love the atmosphere of the often ‘zany’ street marches line King Street. We will return to the hotel when the competition closes at 12am.
Greatdays can advise on coach route and parking for the competition. There is no reserved seating available and it is an open-air all-weather event.
Saturday
East Lancashire Railway and return home
After breakfast we travel to Bury Station to board a heritage steam train for a round trip on the East Lancs. Railway, dis-embarking briefly at Rawtenstall to watch the engine change ends. On our return to Bury there is time to explore the Bury Transport Museum. Groups with more time can call into the famous neighbouring Bury Market before returning home.
Greatdays offer a selection of hotels within an easy drive of the event.
| Dates | 3 days / 2 nights |
| 23rd May 2024 | From £179.00 per person |
| 13th June 2025 |
From £189.00 per person |
Single room supplement from £60.00 per person
