About Us

Welcome to White Rose Tours - we would like to take a few moments to introduce ourselves. 

White Rose Tours was started by myself, David Galloway, in 1996.  Based in Nidderdale, just outside the beautiful floral town of Harrogate, the original idea of the company was to provide guided motorcycle tours around the Yorkshire Dales. Having found a biker-friendly Country Inn to use as an accommodation base, then spent the winter exploring every nook and cranny of the Dales to map-out the best routes.  With most of my life having been spent away from Yorkshire, I was amazed at how little I knew about the area, and even more so by the uniqueness of its natural beauty.

After the first year, it soon became clear that there was a demand to cover other areas in the North of England.  Here geography was on my side, as our central base was ideal for touring not just the North York Moors, but also the English Lake District.  Having spent my college years in the Lakes, this was an area I knew well and so it naturally fitted-in with my plans.  Since the early days, the areas covered by our tours have gradually expanded and now include routes throughout the Northern United Kingdom and Ireland.

Now being one of the leading companies on the UK touring scene, we vary our tours yearly to offer a combination of weekend, short break and full week tours within the reach of Wales, Yorkshire Dales, North York Moors,Yorkshire Wolds, Western Dales, English Lake District, Northern Pennines, Hadrian's Wall Country, Dumfries & Galloway, Scottish Borders, Scotland, Northern and Southern Ireland.

If you have never toured before, you may not realise that very few companies offer both Guided and Escorted tours, as we do.  Guided tours are used mainly in the UK. These are led by an experienced guide and, using a simple 'drop off' marker system, allow you to ride at your own pace, without needing maps or notes.  This is a great introduction to motorcycle touring holidays.

In 2004, following numerous requests from customers, we decided to take our tours abroad.  We had no ambitions to compete against the larger motorcycle tour companies, preferring instead to take our own style of touring into Europe.  It would appear that this policy has paid off, and as we enter our next continental tour season, we enjoy the support and confidence of our customers, who help make our tours so successful.

Like most other tour companies, our European tours are escorted, which means that whilst there will be a guide, you are responsible for your own navigation.  A Tour Pack of information is supplied, which includes the relevant maps, route directions and Garmin waypoints for you to find your destination.  This system suits many people, as it allows them to ride at their own pace and style, either alone, or in small groups. However, if you are new to European touring, unlike some companies, we will not abandon you, and you are welcome to ride with the guide.

With customers from the whole length of the UK and Ireland, we understand that many of our northern clients dislike the ride down to the channel ferry ports – likewise it does not make sense for our many clients from the south to ride north to join a tour at Hull. Therefore, where possible, we have arranged the first and last night’s hotel to be within similar riding distance of both Calais & Zeebrugge. Whichever route you take, we will all meet-up in time for a drink and get-to-know-you session with your fellow riders and Guides, before sitting down to an evening meal.  Departures will be priced individually, and as usual, anyone wishing to make their own arrangements should contact us and we will adjust the costs accordingly.

Although more and more of our customers are using satellite navigators, we still recommend the use of a good map. With this in mind we have arranged with our friends at 'Mapmans' to put together a pack of suggested maps for each individual tour. We are pleased to say that these, along with any other maps you may want to purchase, will be available to White Rose Tour customers with a 15% discount. 
 
Many things have changed since we first started, and perhaps no more so than the use of the internet. Although in its infancy when we started, it now seems impossible that we could do without it, and today is our prime means of contact with our customers. With this in mind we have decided that we will no longer produce a brochure for mailing, instead allowing you to download the information directly from the website.

Due to the continuing difficult economic climate, increase in VAT rates, poor exchange rates and spiralling fuel costs, trading conditions continue to remain difficult. However, we will endeavour to keep our prices as competitive as possible and maintain the high standards that our customers have come to expect. We considered offering just a Bed & Breakfast package, but our customers tell us that, whenever possible, they prefer us to include a 3 course evening meal, leaving them only to budget for lunches, petrol and drinks.  We constantly monitor the accommodation we use, and receive many complimentary comments from our customers. With an odd exception, all the hotels we use are of 3 star standard or better and have been chosen for their position, being bike friendly and receiving top reviews. .  

Despite all the changes, we have stayed loyal to our original concept, mainly that our tours are just that, “tours”.  We do not travel at high speeds and although now exploring further afield, whenever possible, keep daily mileages to a minimum, believing tours should be considered as holidays, not marathons. Whilst there is ample opportunity for riders to exploit their machines’ capabilities, we want everyone to arrive at their destination having enjoyed the scenery and then being ready to relax and appreciate the local food and drink.  We do ride all day, but have a leisurely break at lunchtime and enjoy stops for a “brew” and photo opportunities.   From the comments we receive, it would seem that we have the balance about right, with over 80% of our customers returning, some several times a year.

New for 2012
For your increased comfort we have arranged more spacious 2 berth cabins on all P&O Hull-Zeebrugge and Brittany Portsmouth-Santander crossings. Clients using the Southern crossing will now have the convenience of crossing the channel using the Eurotunnel service.

Enjoy our website and we hope to see you soon.

Ride safely
Dave