Northern England's Industrial Revolution

Meet in Manchester

This afternoon, meet your Tour Manager in Manchester and check into the 4-Star Arora Hotel for a two night stay before enjoying a welcome dinner at the hotel's excellent restaurant.

Museum of Liverpool & Kittywake Canal Cruise

Following breakfast at the hotel we enjoy our first excursion of the holiday, taking the train to Liverpool where we visit the Museum of Liverpool. Here, we see the Industrial Revolution themed exhibit, the Great Port, and learn how Liverpool evolved from a small tidal inlet to one of the world's most profitable ports.

Afterwards, we take the coach to Wigan Pier and transfer to our Kittywake canal cruise boat for a cruise along the Liverpool Canal. While on board, our expert speaker will deliver her insight into the importance of industrial canals. After our cruise we transfer back to our hotel, where we enjoy dinner this evening.

Museum of Science & Industry

Today we begin with a visit to Manchester's Museum of Science and Industry. The museum is situated on the site of the world's first railway station, Manchester Liverpool Road and boasts some the world's leading exhibits showcasing development in industry and technology.

Amongst the collection is the impressive 1907 McNaught Engine which powered Firgrove Mill in Rochdale. Later we visit Quarry Bank Mill in neighbouring Cheshire, one of the best preserved textile mills of the Industrial Revolution. Our guest lecturer joins us for a tour and demonstration of this historic site. We then transfer back to our hotel for the evening, enjoying dinner together.

Saltaire

This morning we enjoy a guided tour of Saltaire Model Village. Saltaire is a UNESCO World Heritage Site built in 1851 by woollen industrialist Sir Titus Salt to provide housing for the workers. Later we travel on the famous Settle-Carlisle Railway to Carlisle, and transfer by rail to Newcastle, checking into our hotel.

Beamish & Cragside House

Take a step back in time to 1913 today on a half-day excursion by coach to the living museum of Beamish. This worldfamous open air destination tells the story of what life was like in the north-east of England during the early nineteenth century. Your time here is at leisure and you are free to wander the impressively authentic replicas of The Town, Colliery and 'Rowley Station' for a fully interactive experience, set in 300 acres of stunning Durham countryside. Later we visit resplendent Cragside House, a Victorian country home that was the family home of Lord Armstrong, and was the first house to be powered purely by hydroelectricity. This evening, we enjoy a farewell meal together at our hotel.

Departure day

Following breakfast at your hotel you are free to depart at your leisure.

Emma Griffin

Having completed her studies in London and Cambridge, Emma is now a Professor of Modern Britain at the University of East Anglia. She is the proud author of multiple books of Industrial era Britian and has also presented a number of BBC Radio 4 documentaries on the subject. She most recently co-presented the More 4 historical series 'The Real Mill' alongside Tony Robinson.

Please note

Please note that while every departure of this tour features the same excursions, they may not necessarily be in the order listed above.

Departure Times

Provisional departure and return times, where available, can be found together with our dates and prices by clicking on the 'Prices & Availability' button. We write to all booked customers approximately 10 weeks prior to the start of their tour to advise the exact departure and return time for their particular group.