County Durham North-East Adventure

Itinerary

Day 1

Join your coach from your convenient local pick-up point this morning and head north east to the fabulous city of Newcastle. On arrival, check-in to your centrally located hotel with time to settle in and relax before dinner with friends and fellow travellers. Get ready to be charmed by the famous Geordie spirit in a city bursting with thriving nightlife, an award-winning restaurant scene, top-notch attractions and museums!

Days 2 to 4

Our centrally located hotel gives you plenty of opportunity to explore vibrant 'Toon city' and all of its great attractions. United by seven iconic bridges across a bustling Quayside, Newcastle and Gateshead form a single, diverse and extremely vibrant destination. A visit wouldn’t be complete without a wander along the Quayside with its dramatic new architecture. After dinner each evening you may want to relax in your hotel with a drink, or wander out for a sample of the city's famous night life.

Make sure you don't miss your amazing INCLUDED excursions around this fabulous area. Experience the amazing, world-famous Beamish, The Living Museum of the North, telling the story of life in North East England during the 1820s, 1900s, 1940s and 1950s. We also have time in the market towns of Bishop Auckland and Barnard Castle in the Durham Dales. A visit to the area would not be complete without taking in ancient Durham, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with its castle and cathedral making one of the most stunning city panoramas in Europe. Voted the Best City in the UK amongst other accolades, the beautiful Cathedral has also been part of the Harry Potter story and it is easy to see why in this story book setting.

Day 5

After a final hearty breakfast it is time to say farewell to Newcastle and the charms of the North East today. Board your comfortable coach for a relaxing journey home full of lovely memories with your friends and fellow travellers.

Durham

INCLUDED Visitor DestinationEnjoy your visit to the handsome and historical university city of Durham. Bill Bryson called it ‘a perfect little city’ and Conde Nast readers voted it ‘Best city in the UK’. After our own visit, we entirely agree – Durham is a very special place, and we just had to include it in your experience. The first sight of the city alone is breath-taking. Inside the city you will find an abundance of impressive historical buildings and sights include the 11th-century fairy-tale turreted castle, the university’s Botanic Garden and the highlight of the city’s skyline, the magnificent Norman-era Durham Cathedral (which plays a role in Harry Potter, and you will immediately see why), all have the words 'World Heritage Site' written all over them. This majestic north east city is a historical treasure trove; the castle nestles by the riverside, parks thrive with deer, and living museums radiate with industrial heritage, but that’s just a taste of the best places to visit in Durham. You can find out for yourself!

Beamish, The Living Museum of the North

INCLUDED Visitor DestinationA visit to the Living Museum of the North, the Beamish Museum brings history to life in this fascinating experience. This famous open air museum, set within 300 acres of beautiful County Durham countryside, tells the story of life in North East England during the 1820s, 1900s and 1940s. You can experience town life as it would have been in the 1940s during World War II, visit a 1940’s farm, pop into the Colliery and Pit Village in the early 1900s and take unlimited free rides on the Beamish tram. Enjoy a 1900's lunch at Davy's Fish & Chip Shop, and a sweet treat from the Jubilee Sweet Shop - we recommend the Beamish Mix and Soor Plooms!

Bishop Auckland

INCLUDED Visitor DestinationKnown as the gateway to Weardale, Bishop Auckland is a bustling market town in the Vale of Durham, standing high above a meander in the River Wear with commanding views of the surrounding countryside. Walk from the town centre straight into the beautiful grounds of the magnificent Auckland Castle, the country residence of the Prince Bishops for more than 900 years. Bishop Auckland's historic town centre has a thriving arts and cultural offering, with the Bishop Auckland Town Hall home to a superb library, cinema, theatre and arts complex. Plus, the town has more than 200 shops - head for Bondgate for boutiques and specialist shops that you won’t find on the high street. Sample the delights of one of the many cosy cafés to help keep the energy levels up!

Barnard Castle

INCLUDED Visitor Destination

This enchanting, historic market town, situated in the Durham Dales, is built around a twelfth century castle overlooking the tumultuous River Tees. Locally known as "Barney", the town is a popular sightseeing destination due to its incredible scenery and the wealth of history on display, the highlight of which is the castle itself, an intimidating fortress which sits atop a high rock above the town below (entry not included). Its delightfully distinctive streets are crammed with antique and local crafts shops as well as quirky treasures such as the bullet-marked market cross. You can have a bite to eat or drink at one of the lovely restaurants and cafés.

Tour includes

• 4 nights hotel with English breakfast & evening meals
• Free time to explore Newcastle
• Excursion to Durham
• Entry to Beamish Living Museum of the North
• Excursion to Bishop Auckland & Barnard Castle
• Direct Coach Travel
• Net Zero Carbon Offset Certificate

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Accommodation

Leonardo Hotel Newcastle Quayside Newcastle

Whatever reason brings you to the North East, staying at the Leonardo Hotel Inn Newcastle Quayside not only offers you quick access to the city but also great waterside views of the River Tyne from your room. The hotel is located south of the Tyne on the Gateshead Quayside, within walking distance of the iconic Millennium Bridge, shops, restaurants, and attractions such as the Sage and Baltic Centre. The modern bedrooms include tea/coffee making facilities. There is a lift to all floors and free WiFi throughout the hotel.

For more information, click here for the hotel website (opens in a new window). Hotel formerly known as Jurys Inn, rebranded November 2022. Back to top