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Walworth Castle & Durham

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6 days From £669 £619 per person
4.5 stars(97 reviews)
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A historic journey through the ancient countryside of Northern England, visiting Wensleydale by heritage rail and uncovering the treasures of County Durham and Northumberland.

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Mobility Rating 2

2025 Tour code: 25LRS

About the tour

Experience the historic cathedral city of Durham on this five-night break based at majestic Walworth Castle, in the heart of County Durham.

We discover some of the region's most famous landmarks, such as Chesters Roman Fort, Hadrian's Wall, and step back in time to other historic periods during visits to the captivating Beamish Museum, the Locomotion museum in Shildon - the birthplace of the world's railways - and Hexham's 12th-century abbey.

Unforgettable Experiences

Uncovering the many treasures of Durham
Uncovering the many treasures of Durham
On a guided tour of the historic cathedral city of Durham, we encounter fantastic architecture, characterful cobbled streets and see the city’s majestic cathedral, which rises above the cityscape.
Time travelling at Beamish Museum
Time travelling at Beamish Museum
Step back in time at Beamish Museum and experience life in North East England from 1820 with the very first cars, historically authentic costumes, and quaint shops.
Riding through the Dales on the Wensleydale Railway
Riding through the Dales on the Wensleydale Railway
Journey on the Wensleydale Railway, a magnificent heritage trip through the delightful countryside of the Yorkshire Dales, after a visit to the Wensleydale Creamery and time to explore the traditional village of Hawes.
Discovering Chesters Roman Fort
Discovering Chesters Roman Fort
Visit the fascinating Roman cavalry fort at Chesters, with well-preserved baths and a steam room, walking in the footsteps of Roman soldiers as you explore the ruins that have withstood the test of time.
Walking through the unique Hexham Abbey
Walking through the unique Hexham Abbey
Explore the beautiful mixed heritage of Hexham Abbey – with Anglo-Saxon, Viking, medieval and Elizabethan features – take in its peaceful atmosphere, discover its ancient architectural treasures and exquisite stained glass.

What’s included

Itinerary

Day 1 – Meeting up at our hotel, the magnificent Walworth Castle

Our holiday begins at the grand setting of Walworth Castle in Darlington, County Durham, where we meet our Tour Manager. This dignified castle is an ideal base for a holiday that delves into the history of the north of England. Built in the 12th century, this striking castle hotel is set among 18 acres of stunning grounds and is our historic home for the next five nights.

There's time to wander through the lawns and woodlands of the castle before dinner with the rest of our group this evening.

Includes
  • Dinner
Day 2 - Discovering the timeless quality of Durham

After breakfast, our group is driven to Durham for a fascinating guided tour of this beautiful city. Among other sights, our tour takes in the Romanesque cathedral, 11th-century castle and the Town Hall in the Castle and Cathedral complex which boasts UNESCO World Heritage status.

This afternoon is free to continue exploring Durham at your own pace, discovering its maze of cobbled streets lined with historic and listed buildings. As a vibrant university city Durham offers many attractions including an excellent indoor market, some unique speciality shops, art galleries and museums, and delightful gardens to relax in and enjoy the views. There's also an excellent choice of places to find lunch, from homemade treats in cosy cafés to hearty pub meals.

At the end of the afternoon our coach transports us back to the hotel where we dine this evening.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 3 – A trip to Locomotion and Beamish Museum

This morning is another chance to step back in time on a nostalgic visit to the Locomotion museum, in Shildon, County Durham, the world's very first railway town. Sited at the workplace of Timothy Hackworth, railway pioneer, the museum tells the exciting story of the world's first public railway, the Stockton and Darlington Railway which opened in 1825 with a steam train hauled by Locomotion No 1. Celebrating its 200th anniversary in 2025, the museum houses several locomotives from the National Collection, including a replica of Timothy Hackworth's Sans Pareil.

Our journey through the ages continues, landing in 1913 as we drive to the Beamish Museum next. This intriguing museum showcases the history and heritage of the region through reconstructed buildings, exhibits, and interactive displays. Life-sized replicas of period locations are accurate down to the finest detail. The Edwardian Town features recreations of a typical inn, Co-operative store, sweet shop, bank and dentist. You can also discover a recreated mining village with a colliery, an Edwardian railway station with a steam railway, a Victorian farm, and a luxurious manor house.

After free time to look around at leisure, we transfer back to the hotel where there's time to relax before dinner.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 4 - The Wensleydale Creamery, charming Hawes, and the nostalgic Wensleydale Railway

After a leisurely breakfast we set off by coach to discover the beautiful Yorkshire Dales, starting with a visit to the Wensleydale Creamery. Home of the famous Yorkshire Wensleydale cheese, there's time to look around the museum, watch a cheese-making demonstration, or maybe buy a treat or two in the gift shop where you'll find plenty of award-winning cheeses.

After this visit, there's time to find lunch independently in Hawes, a peaceful market town where traditional stone houses are linked by charming cobbled lanes. The coach then takes us to Leyburn for our next adventure - aboard the Wensleydale Railway. This nostalgic rail journey takes us through gentle countryside to Leeming Bar, hauled by a steam or diesel locomotive.

At the end of the afternoon we travel back to our hotel before meeting up later for dinner.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 5 – An excursion to Hadrian’s Wall and Hexham, Northumberland

This morning we travel back to Roman times, on a visit to one of Britain's most famous monuments, Hadrian's Wall, built by the Romans to protect their empire south of the wall. Travelling by train from Darlington station to Hexham, via Newcastle, we visit Chesters Roman Fort and Museum. This cavalry fort has well-preserved baths and a steam room, which you are free to wander around and learn more about in the museum.

Later, our coach takes us to Hexham Abbey. Enjoy free time exploring this stunning Grade I listed monastery dedicated to St Andrew. The 12th-century building is known for its stained glass, historical significance and quiet ambience. We return to our hotel by coach at the end of the day, before gathering for the final dinner of our tour this evening.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 6 – Homeward bound

Our holiday in historic Northern England draws to a close after breakfast when, after checking out of the hotel, it's time to make your way home.

Alternatively, you could continue discovering the treasures of this historic region of England on your own. Wherever your day takes you, the memories of this journey back in time to County Durham and Northumberland are sure to linger.

Includes
  • Breakfast

Additional information

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.

Mobility information

Due to the nature of our tours they are generally unsuitable for those with restricted mobility. If you’d like to discuss any particular holiday with us in this respect, then please don’t hesitate to call us.

Hotel

Walworth Castle, County Durham

Walworth Castle, County Durham

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Train

Wensleydale Railway

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Reviews

4.5 stars4.5 / 5 · 97 reviews

  1. 5 stars
    (54)
  2. 4 stars
    (35)
  3. 3 stars
    (7)
  4. 2 stars
    (1)
  5. 1 star
    (0)

John Yeomans

5 stars

Submitted 2/Oct

Excellent, thank you JY

Collected by Trustpilot

veronica

5 stars

Submitted 2/Oct

Great trip with interesting visits. Special mention of excellent durham guide plus the cheerful friendly staff at the hotel

Collected by Trustpilot

L Hebbes

4 stars

Submitted 2/Oct

Rural setting with friendly attentive staff and excellent food. Comfortable room with control over heating and towel rail. Tour content suited our interests.

Collected by Trustpilot

Tricia

5 stars

Submitted 2/Oct

Characterful hotel in a lovely well maintained setting. Superb service which made me feel welcome as an individual guest, not one of a crowd. Excellent food cooked to suit my needs. Every member of staff was charming and very courteous reflecting the ethos of the management. I loved it.

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Jeannette Elrick

5 stars

Submitted 28/Sep

Excellent tour, would recommend. The hotel is fantastic, historic, lovely staff, excellent food and accommodation. Particularly enjoyed the trip to Durham, walking tour was great and we went into the Cathedral in our free time, Locomotion, Beamish and the Wensleydale Creamery. However all places visited were enjoyable and David, the coach driver, was exemplary how he managed to got down some of the roads through the villages baffled me!

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Sandy

5 stars

Submitted 27/Sep

We’ve just had a wonderful break here with Rail Discoveries - we were a little hesitant at first as it doesn’t have a pool, but please don’t let that deter you it really is a friendly welcoming Castle stay the food is marvellous snd every single one of the staff are super friendly and polite - we will def visit here again

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