The Great Northern: A Short Walk Through English History

Itinerary

Day 1.

Depart USA.

Day 2.

Arrive Manchester Airport.
We transfer to our wonderfully located hotel in the heart of England's Lake District where we spend the next three nights. Storrs Hall Country House Hotel (on the shore of Lake Windermere). Buffet Reception and Introduction. (R, D)

Day 3.

Prehistoric.
On a low plateau in the midst of the Cumbrian mountains stands the ancient stone circle of Castlerigg. After the first of many picnic lunches we gently descend to Derwent Water for outstanding views over the lake. Return to our hotel by road. (B,PL,D)

Day 4.

Roman
One of the most spectacular Roman outposts anywhere in the world is located in Hardknott pass, high above the lakes. From here we walk down to the valley of the River Esk. We return to our hotel via the Southern lakes in our coach. (B,PL,D)

Day 5.

Roman
We strike north to the beautiful county of Northumberland. Our walk leads along the most photographed and atmospheric section of Hadrian's Wall (*a world heritage site) as far as the best preserved settlement known as Housesteads. We spend the next two nights in a delightful country house hotel in the Scottish borders. (B,PL,D) The Roxburghe Hotel (near Kelso)

Day 6.

Sott-land.
The Scottish borders and Cheviot hills contain a number of little known gems in the midst of glorious scenery. This is Walter Scott country, romantic, powerful, contested for centuries by warring overlords like Harry Hotspur. We explore the Eildon Hills as well as nearby Melrose with its abbey before continuing to Abbotsford, Sir Walter Scott's home. In the afternoon our walk leads down past a monument to William Wallace to the ruined Dryburgh Abbey, burial place of Scott and Earl Haigh. (B,PL,D)

Day 7.

Saxon.
Holy Island, a remote, isolated spur, cut off from mainland England at high tide, was once home to Cuthbert, one of the England's earliest Christian Saints. We explore it, taking in the site of the original monastery. (Note – details of this walk are subject to change, dependent on tides). Later we turn South to England and the great city of Durham where we spend the next two nights. Durham County Hotel (B,PL,D)

Day 8.

Early Medieval.
Set on a rocky peninsula above the River Wear, the city of Durham is the site of England's finest Romanesque cathedral. Here the remains of St Cuthbert were finally laid to rest; and here, too, is the shrine of his biographer, the Venerable Bede. This is a gentle day with opportunities to explore the town (*a world heritage site) in the afternoon and a free evening. (B)

Day 9.

Wars of the Roses.
Middleham Castle was the lair of one of England's most controversial kings, Richard III. Was he the monster Shakespeare depicted – or a maligned and misunderstood hero? We can almost sense his presence in the stones. After our visit we drive on to our splendid hotel in the heart of Yorkshire. The Boar's Head Hotel (B,PL,D)

Day 10.

Reformation to Restoration.
We stay close to home as we pass the delightful fortified farmhouse at Markenfield before making our way to the isolated and evocative ruins of Fountains Abbey, the first Cistercian monastery to be built in the North. It was dissolved by Henry VIII in the sixteenth century but still maintains its capacity to inspire awe. This evening we visit Ripley Castle, a fine Jacobean fortified house, still in private hands. Once Oliver Cromwell was imprisoned here. Now it is enjoyed by Sir Thomas and Lady Emma Ingilby. (B,L,D)

Day 11.

York.
This morning we travel to York, capital of the North and full of rich history. We concentrate today on the city itself as we walk along its walls and narrow lanes. There is plenty of free time this afternoon to explore the city in our own time. Later we continue to the grand country house hotel just south of the city near the Archbishop’s Palace where we spend our final three nights. Middlethorpe Hall (B, D)

Day 12.

Georgian / Victorian.
Castle Howard has been immortalized as the location where Brideshead Revisited was filmed. We enjoy its architectural splendors and glorious landscaped gardens in our private visit. We lunch in the castle before returning to our hotel for our last night’s celebration.(B,PL,D)

Day 13.

Depart Manchester airport. (B)