Northumbria’s wealth of natural beauty, rugged coastline and vast landscapes of unspoilt countryside is blessed with an abundance of historic sites.
Day 1 After an early departure we travel via the Dartford Crossing to Northumbria, making suitable refreshment stops along the way.
Day 2 Today we visit Alnwick Castle and Gardens, home of the Duke of Northumberland and the second largest inhabited castle in England. Discover opulent State Rooms filled with a stunning array of art and furniture, visit the museums, or stroll through the beautiful gardens and ‘Capability’ Brown landscape. The afternoon is free in Alnwick.
Day 3 We travel south via the Derwent Reservoir and Edmundbyers to Stanhope. From here we continue along Weardale to Alston where we have some time for lunch before boarding the South Tynedale Railway for a wonderful return ride through the South Tyne Valley.
Day 4 We head north to Cragside, which sits on a rocky crag high above the Debdon Burn. An Arts and Crafts masterpiece, the house was the creation of Lord Armstrong – Victorian inventor, innovator and landscape genius. We return to our hotel mid-afternoon.
Day 5 This morning we travel to the vibrant market town of Hexham with free time to explore. We then follow the course of Hadrian’s Wall and include a visit to the Roman Army Museum and Vindolanda, where you can see the excavated remains of the Roman fort and town.
Day 6 Departing after breakfast, we travel south by way of Stamford. We reach the coast in the evening where our taxis transfer us home.
Nestled in 1000 acres of beautiful Northumberland countryside, our four-star hotel is a wonderful Edwardian mansion with leisure facilities which including indoor swimming pool, gym, steam room, sauna and spa treatment rooms. Bedrooms are in the new wing and have TV, telephone, WiFi, hairdryer and hospitality tray. The hotel has a lift.
