2 Weeks Tour Of Northern England 2023
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2 Weeks Tour Of Northern England
May 4 - May 17
Day 1 - We’ll meet in our hotel for a tour briefing and tour member chat and then get to know each other over dinner. After dinner we’ll enjoy an evening stroll and orientation of Harrogate.
Day 2 - After a hearty English breakfast we’re going to board our minibuses and head out. First stop is the stunningly beautiful community of Haworth….birthplace to the Brontes. Set in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales you’ll understand where they got much of their inspiration from as we give you a tour of the village. Its been used for much of the filming of All Creatures Great and Small… a gem of a place to have a pub lunch. You’ll be free to enjoy dinner in Harrogate this evening!!
Day 3 - Another lovely breakfast will fortify us for a days adventures, after which we head off to explore the imposing and extraordinary Fountains Abbey. Today we’ll take a picnic lunch with us and after a tour of the Abbey, we’ll find a lovely spot to enjoy it. After lunch we’ll visit the Black Sheep Brewery at Masham and learn a little about beer making, ‘English style’….and yes, you’ll have an opportunity to taste and sample some, if you so wish. This afternoon we’ll drive onto our next base in the small town of Hawes, whereupon we’ll enjoy dinner together.
Day 4 - Britain is famous for the number of fine cheeses that it produces and today we’ll provide a Wensleydale cheese tasting… these local cheeses are worth it! This will be followed by a visit to Aysgarth Falls….bring your camera. We’re in farming country, so after lunch lets go and talk to a farmer. This is a wonderful opportunity for you to learn about local farming practices and to understand why these people are the way they are. Britain is made up of many counties and regions, and all are uniquely different. free for dinner this evening.
Day 5 - I think a little art and high culture needs to be injected into this tour, so what better way to do it than by visiting the Bowes Museum in the small market town of Barnard Castle. The museum, as you’d expect contains masterpieces by people such as El Greco, Canaletto and Goya….but the building is an architectural masterpiece. Lunch will be followed by a walk in the countryside… through Teesdale to be more precise. This will be a gentle but fulfilling stroll through England’s green and pleasant lands.
Day 6 - This morning we’re going up towards The Wall and our base of operations which will be Hexham. Theres a very famous….or infamous Priory that we want to take you to see… Lanercost Priory. Ravaged by rampaging Scots on several occasions, it holds a wonderful story within its walls. We’ll provide an orientation of Hexham this evening…. and maybe a curry !
Day 7 - Enjoy a big breakfast and stock up on some energy…. we’re going for a walk…. along Hadrian’s Wall. In fact we’ll spend the day walking the Wall and will take a picnic lunch with us. The walk will not be arduous but footing can be treacherous so have the right footwear. Today is a also a day of learning, and we’ll explain to you how the Roman occupation of Britain changed the landscape and the people. The landscape viewed from atop the wall is marvellous and we’ll enjoy every slow deliberate step of our journey. Free for dinner tonight.
Day 8 - This morning we’ll head back towards ‘The Wall’ and explore other sections of it, as well as pay a visit to Housesteads fort, Vindolanda archaeological site and the Roman Museum….. we’ll also try to explain St Patricks association with England and Hadrians Wall. Lunch will be enjoyed at Vindolanda Museum. This afternoon we head North to Alnwick.
Day 9 - This morning we will explore a castle famous because of the Harry Potter movies. We’ll also go into the small market town for lunch. This afternoon we’ll go in search of the Chillingworth cows…… I’m saying no more :-). Ohh and before I forget…. A wonderful tree house is in our future.
Day 10- this morning we’re off to Craster in Northumberland. Northumberland is a county, North of Hadrian’s Wall that is sparsely populated and which still holds many signs of Viking occupation and raiding. Our mission is to learn more about these people as we explore it….. we’ll also eat kippers ! Craster is an idyllic little fishing port from which we can also walk along the coast to Dunstanburgh Castle, a 14thC ruin with beautiful sea views. Another castle this afternoon….Warkwick Castle, 200 yards from our hotel, this castle is an impressive ruin and is festooned with royal connections. Free for dinner tonight
Day 11 - When in Northumberland you have to visit Lindisfarne, otherwise known as Holy Island. The abbey on the island was once the scene of horrific viking raids and its ruin stands as a memorial to those who perished. Dramatically, on this little island is another powerful castle. We’ll tour the island and give you free time to explore it a little on your own. Its a lovely relaxing but beautiful day.
Day 12 - This morning we shall take a short boat trip out to the Farne Islands so that we may indulge a little in saints and clerics. The islands are a conservation area, so there’s lots of wildlife to look out for. A picnic lunch or a pub lunch will be provided. This afternoon we will head South to York and will get there in time to do an orientation of the city before we let you loose to enjoy dinner in one of the many great restaurants available.
Day 13 - This morning we have arranged a guided tour of the York Minster Cathedral. Once finished why not head over to the worlds largest railway museum….Its Free and quite amazing. Inside the complex you’ll find a copy of the first steam loco, Royal carriages, famous steam engines and the worlds first bullet train….. you’ll have all afternoon to explore this wonderful city.
Day 14 - This is the final day and we’ll be there to help you make travel arrangements etc. However, York is a fabulous city to enjoy, in its own right so perhaps you like to spend a couple of extra nights here . We’ve chosen it as our last stop because it provides excellent rail links to the rest of England and all points beyond.