2027 - The Great North Tour

Itinerary

Highlights

• 8 nights at various hotels with breakfast
• 6 nights with dinner in the hotel and 2 nights B&B
• Visits & excursions as detailed
• Visits to Melton Mowbray, Matlock Bath, Bakewell, Durham & Corbridge
• Full day at leisure in York
• Visit to Holy Island (tides permitting)
• Visit & entry to Alnwick Castle
• Entrance to Vindolanda
• Windermere cruise Ambleside – Bowness
• Visits to Ambleside, Bowness-on-Windermere & Chester
• Porterage throughout (except Shapwells)

Your Itinerary

Day 1 - After joining your holiday coach, head off to your first stop, Melton Mowbray, the bustling market town known as the ‘Rural Capital of Food’ boasting a culinary heritage that few can match. Famous delicacies including Melton Mowbray pork pies and Stilton cheese can only be made in this locality, thanks to protected status. Your overnight hotel this evening is the stylish 4* Derby Mickleover Hotel with welcome drink, porterage assistance and dinner this evening DBB

Day 2 – Peak District - After breakfast and check out head off to characterful Matlock Bath, set in the beautiful gorge of the river Derwent, with attractive riverside gardens, wooded hillsides and rocky limestone crags. A popular tourist destination since the late 17th Century when the spa waters were discovered, its' heyday was in Victorian, times when it became known as "Little Switzerland" by the poet, Lord Byron. There is a cable car ride (entrance not included - approx. £29.80 pp in 2026) that takes you up to The Heights of Abraham, where the wooded country park is crowned with the Victoria Prospect Tower. Onwards to pretty Bakewell, birthplace of the delicious Bakewell pudding, and boasting charming honey-coloured buildings, cosy courtyards, historic alms houses and a quaint five-arched Roman bridge over the River Wye. Continue north to the fine city of York and your well-located hotel, 4* Radisson Hotel York which overlooks the River Ouse. Check in for the next two nights with dinner included on the arrival night. (Singles are doubles / twins for sole use). B&B on the second night allows you to diner where you choose form many of the excellent eateries in York centre. 1 night DBB & 1 night BB

Day 3 – Medieval York – A full day at leisure to explore. Still encircled by its ancient walls, York was one of the great cities of the medieval world. The city is dominated by the soaring pinnacles of York Minster, the finest Gothic church in northern Europe. From the narrow streets of The Shambles, lively with chic cafés and specialist shops, to trips on its tree-lined river, York is a treasure house for visitors. It offers an unrivalled choice of museums and galleries including the renowned Jorvik Viking Centre, National Railway Museum and the Castle Museum. With so much to see and do here, your centrally located hotel allows you to just step out to discover York, 'the city to suit all tastes'. Your driver may be able to offer an optional guided walking tour of the city

Day 4 – Majestic Durham – After checking out, board the coach and drive to another great city of the North East, Durham.  Bill Bryson called it 'a perfect little city', The Independent named it as one of the best cities in the world to visit in 2020, and Condé Nast’s Traveller magazine readers voted it the ‘Best City in the UK’. Durham is a captivating city with winding cobbled streets and a prominent peninsula crowned with the dramatic Durham Cathedral and Castle World Heritage Site. Enjoy time at leisure exploring the timeless quality of this quintessential old English University City, take some time out with a relaxing riverside walk or soak up the atmosphere with superb cafés, artisan workshops, boutiques, galleries and museums. Later on, head to your next hotel in Newcastle, the ‘Geordie Capital’ by way of the epic statue by Antony Gormley, the colossal Angel of the North. Check in for two nights at the centrally situated 4* Maldron Hotel Newcastle. Dinner is included on the first night with breakfast only on the second day to give you the opportunity to sample the local cuisine. 1 night DBB & 1 night BB

Day 5 – Alnwick Castle & Holy Island - From broomsticks to bookshops, cheery blossoms to jousts & dragons, immerse yourself in the magic of the historic market town of Alnwick (pronounced anick). Enjoy an included entrance today to the magnificent Alnwick Castle, known as the 'Windsor of the North'. Set in parklands designed by Lancelot 'Capability' Brown, the imposing ancestral home of the Duke of Northumberland has changed little since the 14th century. It's a favourite set for film-makers and starred as the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in the Harry Potter films as well as Brancaster Castle in Downton Abbey. The interior is sumptuous and extravagant and you can wander through the staterooms, dining room, guard chamber and library – which have an incredible display of Italian paintings, including Titian's Ecce Homo and many Canalettos. Later head a little further north and, depending on the tides, cross the causeway to Holy Island. Words cannot describe the magic of The Holy Island of Lindisfarne, particularly as you cross the causeway, admiring staggering views as you go, and feel like you are entering a secret world as you approach the island. The pint-sized island holds pubs and cafés, coastal Lindisfarne Castle and ancient Lindisfarne Priory, a place of worship, tranquillity and breath-taking beauty. Don't fall into the trap of thinking there's nothing to do on the semi-isolated island of Holy Island. Once you cross the causeway at low tide you will be pleasantly surprised by the splendour of the place. Why not buy some of the locally brewed mead whilst there too! Head back to Newcastle with a photo stop in spell-binding Bamburgh, the royal capital of the ancient kingdom of Northumbria (time permitting)

Day 6 – Hadrian’s Wall, Corbridge & Vindolanda – Time to head west and first stop after leaving Newcastle is the Roman garrison town of Corbridge. Full of character and history, Corbridge is known for its rich Roman history, picturesque setting, and charming local shops and food and drink spots. There is something Dickensian about the secret streets and courtyards of Corbridge and the bridge is the oldest surviving over the Tyne. Onward via the Roman military road where you can still see parts of Hadrian’s Wall. The destination is Vindolanda, a Roman auxiliary fort and one of Europe's most important Roman archaeological sites. It features a world-class museum, incredibly preserved artifacts, and the opportunity to watch active, live excavations. The museum houses incredible artefacts such as leather boots and shoes, armour and weapons and wooden objects. The museum is fully accessible and whilst the site of the ruins is extensive, there are paved walkways and seating around the perimeter (NB there is a slope between the museum and the site itself) There is also a café and gift shop. Onward to Cumbria to check into 3* Shapwells Hotel south of Penrith for 2 nights with dinner each night. DBB

Day 7 – Lake District – No tour of the North of England would be complete without a day in the Glorious Lakes. So, it’s off to popular Ambleside, at the northern end of Windermere, perfectly located in the heart of the National Park. Surrounded by majestic Lakeland fells, Ambleside's roots are in the medieval woollen trade, but the town you see today is primarily Victorian, built of traditional grey slate. Take an included scenic lake cruise and experience the beauty of Windermere’s northern shoreline with fantastic views of the (holmes), lakeland mountains, wooded shorelines and bays. The lower deck is heated and there is an onboard commentary which informs passengers about the history, attractions and points of interest around the lake. Disembark at Bowness-on-Windermere, the popular lakeside town where you will find plenty of shops, cafes, pubs and restaurants as well as gorgeous panoramic views. Back to Shap and your hotel later today

Day 8 – Historic Chester – On the road again and when it comes to beautiful cities, Chester is one of the best and should be on every one’s wish list! Chester has a unique atmosphere and sense of history, founded by the Romans over 2000 years ago, much of the Roman influence remains and Chester’s city walls are the most complete in Britain. In every corner of the city you are confronted with history, from the Roman amphitheatre to the medieval half-timbered buildings. As well as having so much history and heritage, Chester is a vibrant, dynamic city full of restaurants, bars, pubs, clubs, fabulous shopping and not forgetting the 1000 year old Cathedral, the River Dee and of course, the one and only 700-year-old Rows galleries where shopping is a double delight. Just a short journey to your hotel on the outskirts of the city, 4* DoubleTree by Hilton Chester to check in for your final overnight with dinner. DBB

Day 9 – The Great Northern Adventure has come to an end and it’s time to bid farewell after breakfast and head homewards via interchange with a stop en-route for refreshments

Accommodation

Various 3* & 4* Hotels

Radisson Hotel York – 2 nights
The 4* Radisson York is in a modern, high rise hotel well located in York overlooking the River Ouse and walking distance from the city centre with its many cafés, restaurants, shops and attractions. Guests are contemporary and stylish with all mod cons including WiFi, tea/coffee making facilities, iron/ironing board and flat screen TV. (Singles are doubles / twins for sole use). The Paddle Room is the onsite restaurant with calming views of the River Ouse and floor-to-ceiling windows. There is also a lounge bar area and a small fitness area. The hotel has a lift
















Maldron Hotel, Newcastle – 2 nights
Situated in Newcastle City Centre, the smart, modern 4* Maldron Hotel features free WiFi and a private court yard. Situated in a prime central location with all of the beautiful city's attractions right on the doorstep, the Maldron Hotel has a restaurant and a bar. Guestrooms feature a desk, flat-screen TV, tea/coffee making facilities, an en suite bathroom with complimentary toiletries and some rooms feature city views.  (Singles are doubles / twins for sole use). Directly opposite the hotel is Intu Eldon Square and The Gate leisure complex is close by. There is a lift to all floors














Shap Wells Hotel - Shap, Cumbria – 2 nights
Situated in a secluded, wooded valley, high in the Shap Fells and surrounded by mountain streams yet only minutes from the M6 (Junction 39) and the A6. 3* Shap Wells Hotel is the ideal place from which to explore the Lakes.  Perfect setting surrounded by open and wooded countryside, red deer, red squirrels and other wildlife within the grounds of the hotel and beyond. Many of the rooms having breath-taking views of the surrounding countryside and fells, offering a true taste of the English landscape. The hotel has retained many of its original features and character over the years. Free WiFi is available throughout the entire hotel including all public areas and guest accommodation. Lift access to most rooms.