Day 1: Travel and Harrogate
Depart North Wales and travel to the spa town of Harrogate, characterised by Victorian and Edwardian buildings that tower above the pavements. Stroll around the tree lined avenues and beautiful gardens or explore the many shopping possibilities. Rest your legs with a cup of tea and a slice of cake at the famous Betty’s Café Tea Rooms before we complete our journey to the north-east for a 4-night stay.
Day 2: Durham
After breakfast we travel to the old university city of Durham, where you can spend the day at leisure. It’s a captivating city with winding cobbled streets, a prominent peninsula crowned with the dramatic Durham Cathedral and Castle UNESCO World Heritage Site, offering one of the most stunning city panoramas in Europe.
Day 3: Alnwick & Lindisfarne - Optional Alnwick Castle
This morning, we travel to the market town of Alnwick, once the administrative centre for the whole of Northumberland. Alnwick itself is a bustling medieval market town, with twisting cobbled streets and an eclectic collection of shops. Spend some time in the town or alternatively, take an optional visit to Alnwick Castle (admission extra).
The castle has dominated the town since 1096 when construction began to control and protect the border. It has numerous defences such as a 2-metre-thick wall and a 7-metre-deep moat. It is the second largest inhabited castle in England, second only to Windsor Castle, and has been home to the Percy family for over 700 years. More recently, it has been a filming location for some of the Harry Potter movies, Downton Abbey and countless other TV shows and films.
Afterwards, we make the scenic journey to Lindisfarne, or Holy Island. This is known as ‘the Jewel of the Northumberland Coast’ and is only accessible across a causeway. The island is home to the ruins of Lindisfarne Priory, a unique castle with a Gertrude Jekyll garden and a colony of grey seals.
Day 4: Newcastle – Optional Beamish
Today, the choice of destination is yours!! You can either spend the day in the city of Newcastle or take an optional full day visit to Beamish: The Living Museum of the North. Alternatively, you can spend the morning at Beamish and the afternoon in Newcastle. Admission to Beamish not included.
Newcastle upon Tyne, commonly known as Newcastle, has developed into a prominent city in terms of technical innovation and culture. This makes Newcastle one of Great Britain’s most exciting cities and a wonderful destination to visit. Admire the Baltic Art Gallery and it’s stunning Tyneside views then marvel at the award-winning Millennium Bridge. Discover some of the Geordie jewels, such as the commanding castle, the imposing cathedral, the famous Tyne Bridge and the hallowed grounds of St. James' Park Stadium.
Beamish: The Living Museum of the North is a world-famous open-air museum which tells the story of the north-east of England in the Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian periods. Get up-close to a recreated north-east history from 1820 all the way to the 1950s.
Meet knowledgeable volunteers and staff who are decked out in exceptional, historical costume. Travel by tram or old-fashioned bus from the Edwardian Town and Pit Village, complete with original drift mine to at Home Farm and Pockerley Old Hall. You’ll find many a unique item in the open stores –donated by the public to best reflect their stories and experiences. Why not have a quick tipple at the Sun Inn Pub or try some traditional sweets at the Jubilee Sweet Shop?
Day 5: The Piece Hall and Home
We depart our hotel after breakfast and visit The Piece Hall in Halifax. The Piece Hall is unique - a Grade I listed Georgian masterpiece and the oldest remaining Georgian cloth hall in the world!
Standing at the heart of Halifax since 1779, the huge open-air courtyard is today surrounded by unique and boutique independent shops, bars, cafes and a restaurant. The stories of Georgian Halifax are told in the specially created exhibition spaces, while the central courtyard is a spectacular venue for a year-round events programme of live music, dance, film and spectacle. Afterwards, we complete our journey home to North Wales.