Yorkshire and Northumbria—9 day tour
Concentrating on England’s northern regions, this tour begins in the historic city of York before exploring the picturesque villages and rolling hills of The Yorkshire Dales and Moors. Continuing northwards, Northumbria has more castles than anywhere else in England. Some are still lived in, such as Alnwick, familiar as Harry Potter's Hogwarts School, while others are romantic ruins. Dominating the lofty crags of the dramatic countryside is Hadrian’s Wall. Almost 2,000 years old the remains of the wall are a Northumberland icon and England's largest World Heritage Site.
Included Highlights
- York City Tour
- York Minster
- Canal Boat Trip
- Train Journeys
- Durham Cathedral
- Hadrian’s Wall
- Alnwick
- Lindisfarne Priory
Hotel Nights
- York 4
- Newcastle 3
- Manchester 1
Day 1 Manchester – York
On arrival in the north of England a professional guide greets and accompanies us by motor coach to the city of York.
Overnight York
Day 2 York
Join our local guide for a morning tour of this remarkable and well-preserved city. Step back in time at the Jorvik Viking Centre with a journey through a reconstruction of Viking age streets, as they would have been in the year 975AD. Afterwards we meet a cathedral guide for a tour of stunning York Minster, one of the world’s greatest cathedrals and the largest in northern Europe. The afternoon is free to explore the cobbled streets and museums of this historic city.
Overnight York
Day 3 North Yorkshire Moors – Whitby
A full day tour of the North Yorkshire Moors National Park, accompanied by a local guide. This region is one of the finest landscapes in Britain with miles of heather dotted moors, ancient woodlands and grassy valleys, which give the area a character all of its own. Board a steam train for a nostalgic journey across the moors and find out about Dracula and Captain Cook on a visit to the traditional fishing port of Whitby.
Overnight York
Day 4 Yorkshire Dales
A full day excursion with a local guide takes us into the Yorkshire Dales National Park. Protected since 1954 it is a special place with outstanding scenery and a rich cultural heritage. Enjoy a cruise along the longest canal in northern England, which also happens to be one of the most picturesque in the country. Visit the famous cheese makers at the Wensleydale Creamery before returning to York via the elegant Victorian spa town of Harrogate. We recommend a visit to Betty’s Café Tea Rooms, where they have served traditional afternoon tea since 1919.
Overnight York
Day 5 Durham – Hadrian’s Wall – Newcastle
Leaving York this morning we travel north to Durham. One of today’s highlights will be a visit to Durham Cathedral, a masterpiece of Norman architecture with a commanding position above the River Wear. Further north we reach Wallsend - one end of the 73 mile long Hadrian’s Wall. Relive Roman history with a visit to the Fort, Baths and Museum at Segedunum.
Overnight Newcastle
Day 6 Alnwick – Cragside – Newcastle
A short journey north brings us to Northumbria National Park. In Alnwick choose to visit the stunning medieval castle or the magical landscape of Alnwick Garden, with its spectacular water displays and one of the largest tree houses in the world. In the afternoon we visit Cragside, Victorian England’s most technologically-advanced mansion, surrounded by one of the largest rock gardens in Europe.
Overnight Newcastle
Day 7 Northumbrian Coast - Bamburgh Castle – Lindisfarne
Today explore the unique Northumbrian coast starting with a visit to Bamburgh Castle. Standing on a dramatic rocky outcrop on the edge of the North Sea, this castle was a royal citadel nearly 2,000 years ago. This afternoon we cross the tidal causeway to the Holy Island of Lindisfarne to visit the evocative ruins of Lindisfarne Priory. Founded in 635AD this was an important centre of early Christianity in Anglo-Saxon England and is still a place of pilgrimage today.
Overnight Newcastle
Day 8 Hadrian’s Wall – Yorkshire Dales – Manchester
Travelling west along the route of Hadrian’s Wall we explore its history further with a visit to Housesteads Roman Fort. Dramatically sited on crags, there are visible remains of barracks and granaries. Continue over the Hartside Pass with its magnificent mountain views, where on a clear day you can see as far as Scotland. Enjoy an afternoon scenic train journey through the Yorkshire Dales National Park before proceeding to Manchester for a final overnight stay.
Overnight Manchester airport area
Day 9 Manchester
Group transfer to Manchester airport. We will be pleased to tailor your tour to suit your preferred arrival and departure airports.
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