Yorkshire & Northumberland

Our tour begins as you arrive at your hotel in Harrogate, at the edge of the Yorkshire Dales. One of England's most attractive towns, Harrogate retains many Georgian and Victorian features including its original spa buildings. After time to discover your new surroundings, and to perhaps visit the famous Betty's Tea Rooms, this evening we meet for dinner in the hotel. 

• Dinner

We visit the beautiful gardens of RHS Harlow Carr. Stroll along the tranquil Woodland or Streamside Walk, or take in the perfumed flora of the Scented Garden. We continue to York for a guided tour that includes the medieval Shambles, which has remained almost unchanged since the Middle Ages. Our tour ends at the glorious Minster - one of Europe's largest Gothic cathedrals - where entrance is included. The rest of the day is free, perhaps to visit the National Railway Museum. 

• Breakfast, Dinner

We visit the seaside resort of Whitby, where we discover the brooding clifftop Abbey ruins. Overlooking the North Sea, the structure was a 7th-century Christian monastery that later became a Benedictine abbey, and its truly fascinating to explore. We continue with an insight into the town's coastal heritage at the RNLI Lifeboat Station. The station is one of the RNLI's oldest, and we have a look around and presentation. You also have free time in the town, perhaps to take a stroll on the beach with some fish and chips. We join the scenic North Yorkshire Moors Railway, making the return journey by steam train. Dinner is a delicious Yorkshire-themed affair at our hotel.

*Steam-hauled where possible.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Leaving Harrogate behind, today we travel on the famous Settle & Carlisle Line. The 72-mile route is regularly voted one of the world's top railroad journeys, and once we set off it is easy to see why. Cross over the wonderful Ribblehead Viaduct that cuts through the Yorkshire Dales and is overlooked by the mighty Whernside. The line also skirts the North Pennines, designated an Area of Natural Beauty for its breathtaking examples of the glory of nature. Once in Carlisle we transfer by rail to Hexham. On arrival, we continue by coach to our hotel in Alnwick.

• Breakfast, Dinner

This morning we enjoy a guided tour around the beautifully landscaped Alnwick Gardens. The gardens are a vibrant place; magnificent architecture and lovingly tended plants and flowers are brought to life with a variety of water features. After dinner back at the hotel, we take a drive into Kielder Forest for star gazing. Overnight Alnwick. 

• Breakfast, Dinner

Today we cross the wild Northumberland countryside to Bamburgh, a scenic coastal town dominated by the magnificent Bamburgh Castle, before visiting the famous island of Lindisfarme*. We are treated to a tasting of local mead before we return to the hotel for a farewell dinner to celebrate the last night of our vacation.

*Please note that due to tidal variance, the time of the visit to Lindisfarne is subject to change.

• Breakfast, Dinner

After breakfast in the hotel, we transfer to Alnmouth station where we join the LNER rail service back to York (First Class), a fitting place to end our adventure. 

• Breakfast