Yorkshire and Northumberland

Our holiday begins in Harrogate, at the edge of the Yorkshire Dales. One of England's most attractive towns, Harrogate retains many Georgian and Victorian features, including original spa buildings. After time to explore, and maybe visit Betty's Tea Rooms, we meet for dinner in the hotel.

• Dinner

This morning, we visit the beautiful gardens of RHS Harlow Carr, filled with colourful flowers, perfectly manicured lawns, and towering trees that are home to various species of birds.

There are lots of areas within the garden to explore, the beautiful trees and wildflowers of the Woodland Walk, visit the Alpine House - where you can see rare and exotic alpine plants from around the world, or simply sit and take in the tranquil surroundings.

After wandering the beautiful gardens, we continue to the historic city of York. Walking through the cobbled streets on a guided tour, we admire medieval architecture, see The Shambles - a renowned street which has remained almost unchanged since the Middle Ages, and learn about the city's Roman and Viking heritage.

Our tour ends at the glorious Minster - one of Europe's largest Gothic cathedrals - where entrance is included. The beauty of its architecture continues inside with stunning stained glass windows and intricate craftsmanship that's evident in every corner of this magnificent place of worship. If you're feeling brave, you could ascend the Central Tower for breathtaking views of the city.

The rest of the day is at leisure, and you could visit the National Railway Museum, indulge in afternoon tea at one of the cosy cafes, or enjoy a local pint at one of the countless pubs within the city walls. Heading back to Harrogate by rail, we enjoy dinner at our hotel this evening.

Please Note - For departures 18/04/2024, 30/05/2024 and 15/08/2024 Days 2 and 3 have swapped around.

• Breakfast, Dinner

After breakfast this morning, we drive to the seaside resort of Whitby, where we discover the famous, brooding Abbey ruins. Overlooking the North Sea, the clifftop structure was a 7th-century Christian monastery that later became a Benedictine abbey, and the inspiration for Bram Stoker's 'Dracula'.

Gaze out across the rugged Yorkshire coastline, wander through the atmospheric ruins, and let the haunting beauty of this historic site capture your imagination.

With time at leisure in the town, you could stroll along the beach with some fish and chips, explore the picturesque harbour, or meander around the quaint shops along the narrow streets. You could also gain insight into the town's coastal heritage at the RNLI Lifeboat Station. On an optional tour, we're given a presentation followed by time to look around the station which is one of RNLI's oldest.

We start our journey back to Harrogate, driving to the village of Grosmont, where we join the scenic North Yorkshire Moors Railway. With its steam engines and beautifully restored carriages, this heritage railway curves through stunning countryside, ancient woodlands, and heather-covered moors as we take in the stunning natural beauty of Yorkshire. We leave the train in Pickering and drive back to our hotel in time for dinner.

Trains are steam-hauled where possible, however due to timetable changes or weather conditions, heritage diesel locomotives may be running instead.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Today we travel on the famous Settle-Carlisle Railway with a knowledgeable guide. Regularly voted one of the world's top rail journeys, it's easy to see why as we cross the Ribblehead Viaduct, a striking bridge that cuts through the heart of the Yorkshire Dales, and skirt the North Pennines, a designated Area of Natural Beauty.

With views of sweeping valleys, rugged landscapes, and isolated farms, this is a wonderful journey that even has opportunities to spot wildlife along the way. Our guide shares tales of the railway's history, engineering feats, and local legends, while we sit back and enjoy the journey.

Arriving in historic Carlisle, explore at your own pace. You could experience the stunning architecture of Carlisle Cathedral and Hadrian's Wall, which dates back to Roman times. The city also has a range of pubs and restaurants serving local cuisine for you to enjoy lunch.

After boarding a train to Hexham, we continue by coach to our next hotel in Alnwick, close to Alnwick Castle and Gardens. After checking in there's some time at leisure to discover our new surroundings of picturesque streets, friendly locals, and lovely views before dinner.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Our stop today is the historic Alnwick Castle for a guided tour of its impressive staterooms and landscaped gardens. With over 1,000 years of history, this grand castle has served as a military stronghold, a royal residence, and a filming location for popular movies such as Harry Potter and Downton Abbey. As well as its Renaissance-style staterooms, the stunning grounds have picturesque gardens, a serene lake, and a treehouse restaurant where you can have lunch in a unique dining experience.

• Breakfast, Dinner

We cross the wild Northumberland countryside to Bamburgh, a town dominated by its castle, overlooking the sandy coast. We enjoy a private 'behind the scenes' tour before it opens to the public, discovering the battlements, medieval great hall, and impressive museum collection.

Leaving the castle behind, we make our way to the fabled Holy Island of Lindisfarne. Its history stretches back to the 6th century, and it's been home to monks and holy men ever since.

We're treated to a tasting of local mead made by the monks themselves. Lindisfarne Mead is a unique wine made with a blend of fermented white grapes, rich honey, and a special mix of herbs. What sets it apart is the pure, crystal-clear water sourced from the island's very own artesian well and the fact that it's fortified with the finest spirits.

**Due to a tidal issue crossing to Lindisfarne this day will operate in reverse.

• Breakfast, Dinner

After reminiscing about our fantastic week at breakfast this morning, we board the train to lovely York again. Arriving in the early afternoon, you can spend some more time exploring York's historic streets and make your way home at leisure.

• Breakfast