ITINERARY
For:
Travel Trade Groups
Duration:
5 Days
Theme:
Hands on History
Northern England invites you to experience an area of Britain like no other where modern cities and
ancient towns, beautiful countryside and sweeping coasts combine to produce experiences that stay
long in the memory and compel you to return.
Legions of castles and ancient fortifications, saintly shrines and World Heritage Sites evoke the
history of the North as a place of power, pilgrimage and conflict and offer hands on experience of
what is was like to live in the North a century or a millennia ago. Spectacular stately homes and
gardens tell the stories of England’s nobility and industrial magnates who shaped the landscapes and
lives of local people through their patronage and their wealth.
Day 1
Arrive Liverpool from Manchester Airport (approx. 30 mins by train)
Liverpool is a thriving capital of culture with museums and galleries for every taste,
many of which are free to explore. With over 800 years of history from its Royal
Charter in 1207, there is much to explore in Liverpool.
The Albert Dock is one of the country’s top heritage attractions, home to awardwinning visitor attractions The Beatles Story, more museums and galleries than any
other UK city except London, including International Slavery Museum, Merseyside
Maritime Museum, Tate Liverpool and recently opened Museum of Liverpool, all in
a UNESCO World Heritage setting.
Take the ferry across the River Mersey to Port Sunlight*. A model village created by
Lord Leverhulme in the late 19th century. Discover the story of the village at the Port
Sunlight Museum, from its beginnings to its current status as a working, living tourist
destination. Stroll through the peaceful village to the Lady Lever Art Gallery, which
contains outstanding 18th and 19th century works. It was built in honour of Lord
Leverhulme’s beloved wife as a place for villagers to enjoy magnificent, world-famous
artworks, including Pre-Raphaelite masterpieces.
*Alternatively drive through the Mersey Tunnel – in its time the largest underwater
tunnel ever built
Overnight in Liverpool. Enjoy the local ambience, friendly banter, wonderous
cocktails and culinary delights. Try a pan of scouse or if vegetarian ‘blind scouse’, a
warming winter stew served year round in many of the local cafes.
Day 2
Travel to Manchester by Train (approx. 45 minutes on the M62)
Famous as the birthplace of England’s Industrial Revolution, the city of Manchester
has long been connected with science and industry. Its Museum of Science and
Industry is on the site of the world’s oldest surviving railway station. Here, visitors
can get a unique insight into the region’s unrivalled legacy for scientific innovation.
Also, find out how Manchester’s famous inventions helped shape the modern world,
from the world’s first steam-powered mill to the splitting of the atom.
Gets hands-on with history and experience what it was like to work in a cotton mill at
Quarry Bank Mill, a National Trust property 10 miles south of Manchester.
Travel on the A56 to Bury to ride a steam train on the East Lancashire Railway. This
beautifully restored heritage railway puffs back in time through stunning countryside,
quaint villages and historic towns.
The East Lancashire Railway* is a 12-mile heritage steam railway line through the
Irwell Valley. With its scenic blend of rolling countryside and post-industrial
landscapes, the journey offers a taste of what train travel was like in Victorian
England. Disembark at Ramsbottom, a village synonymous with its industrial
heritage, enjoy a stroll around the shops, the antiques centre, and visit one of the
many tea shops or the local pub, with plenty of time to catch the return journey to
Bury where you can visit the famous market and perhaps partake in Bury’s famous
delicacy, Black Pudding.
*Journeys for the Railway depart from Bolton Street station in the town of Bury, 10
miles north of Manchester.
Overnight in Manchester. Enjoy a cocktail at Manchester’s Cloud in the Hilton, and
fabulous food in the fashionable Spinningfields quarter of Manchester or head up to
the Northern Quarter, a uniquely ‘Mancunian’ neighbourhood: alternative,
bohemian and creative. Home to countless independent bars, cafés and restaurants,
visitors can spend hours browsing through its art galleries, boutiques and vintage
stores. Taste classic English dishes at TNQ restaurant and bar before heading to
Apotheca to sample its range of quirky and inventive cocktails.
Day 3
Travel to Lancashire, a short 40 minutes’ drive along the M6 to go back in time at
Lancashire's halls and historic houses before continuing onto Hadrian’s Wall
Choose from four historic homes to explore, each fascinating in different ways.
Gawthorpe Hall is Lancashire's very own 'Downton Abbey'. The striking Elizabethan
house is famed for its architecture and extensive textile collection. Hoghton Tower is
450 years old and still in prime condition as an attraction and hotel – its tower has
spectacular views of its landmark driveway, and it is famous for being where King
James 1st knighted a cut of beef – 'Sir Loin' – in 1617.
Fourteen generations of the same family have lived at 16th century Browsholme
Hall, and there’s a good chance of you bumping into family members on a tour of the
house. Also a family home, Leighton Hall was owned by a renowned furniture-making
family during the 19th century and has stunning views across Morecambe Bay.
Group bookings welcome with coach parking and specialist tours available.
Continue your journey on to Hadrian’s Wall through the Lake District’s villages
(approx 1hr 40 from Preston)
Explore Hadrian’s Wall by bike, bus, on foot or with a guided tour from Carlisle.
The 80-mile (129-km) corridor that is Hadrian’s Wall represents the most significant
monument built by the Romans in Britain. It stretches across the very top of England,
and you can explore it in a variety of exciting ways.
Take the ‘Emperor Hadrian, Reivers and Edward 1st 'Longshanks' Tour’. Expert
guides escort you around the key sites in North Cumbria experiencing Hadrian's Wall,
the homes of the great 'Reiver' families and medieval sites such as those associated
with Edward 1st‘s last days. Alternatively, there’s a bus – aptly named the AD122
(when the Wall was constructed) – that runs the length of the wall, taking in forts,
museums, towns and villages along the way.
Head over to Newcastle on the A69 (1hr 20mins) for an overnight stay to enjoy the
delights of Newcastle’s waterfront and seven bridges, famous local ales, cuisine and
the unbeatable Geordie welcome.
Whilst in Newcastle, check the local theatres and the Royal Northern Sinfonia for
orchestral performances.
Day 4
Travel along the A1 (approx. 45 mins from Newcastle) and explore captivating
Alnwick Castle and its gardens.
Walk through history and admire world-class art at this fascinating castle, then stroll
through spectacular floral displays at The Alnwick Garden. Alnwick Castle, the
second-largest inhabited castle in England, has been home to the Duke of
Northumberland’s family, the Percys, for over 700 years.
Within its walls, discover the stories of drama, intrigue and extraordinary people.
Learn about a gunpowder plotter, visionary collectors and medieval England’s most
celebrated knight, Harry Hotspur. Ogle the lavish Italianate State Rooms, filled with
one of the country’s finest private art collections including works by Canaletto, Titian,
Van Dyck and JMW Turner.
While you’re here, don’t miss The Alnwick Garden, an extraordinary contemporary
estate where you can explore the tranquil Cherry Orchard, exciting Grand Cascade
and intriguing Poison Garden. Alnwick also has one of the world’s largest treehouses,
home to a chic and lofty restaurant, where afternoon tea is sure to be fun.
Once refreshed head up to Bamburgh Castle on the scenic coastal route via the
B1340
Bamburgh Castle is one of England’s most iconic landmarks. It dominates a wild
stretch of northeast England’s coastline, towering above grass-covered sand dunes.
Just as dramatic is the view you will see from inside the castle walls, along the beach
and out to the Farne Islands, home to puffins and grey seals.
As one of the country’s largest inhabited castles, Bamburgh is living history. This site
has been occupied since prehistoric times, witnessing bloody battles, royal rebellion
and secret negotiations. The imposing keep was built to survive raids in the 12th
century, while the King’s Hall is a Victorian masterpiece made for elaborate banquets
and balls. And every summer, Bamburgh reveals more of its past in live
archaeological excavations.
Travel to York along the A1M approx. 2 hrs 20mins for a final night’s stay in the
historic City of York.
Day 5
Travel back 2,000 years at revealing York Minster. One of the world’s loveliest Gothic
Cathedrals and certainly England’s largest, York Minster dominates the city below it
and houses countless treasures in its atmospheric depths. Venture down into its
underground chambers to find the new attraction called Revealing York Minster.
Here you can explore clever interactive galleries combining ancient craftsmanship,
recent excavations and cutting-edge science to tell the site’s 2,000-year history.
Follow in the footsteps of Roman soldiers and see their excavated barracks. Discover
why York claims to be the birthplace of Christianity in Europe. Admire a Viking lord’s
1,000-year-old carved elephant tusk, and explore ancient illuminated manuscripts.
Upstairs, gaze on the world’s largest medieval stained-glass window, often called the
English Sistine Chapel, then climb the narrow twisting staircase to the parapet and
experience the sensational views.
Enjoy a bird's-eye view of the city and stroll along its 13th century defensive city
walls, passing historic landmarks, gatehouses and gardens.
The ancient fortifications that encircle York’s historic centre are the longest and most
complete city walls in England. Walk along their superbly preserved ramparts and it’s
easy to imagine yourself as a patrolling Roman guard, medieval archer or a soldier
dodging cannonballs during the Civil War. First built in Roman times around 71 AD,
then largely replaced by medieval stonework, the walls stretch for over 2 miles
(3.4km). It takes about 2 hours to walk the full circuit.
One of Europe’s best-preserved medieval shopping streets, with cheerful cafés and
quirky shops in timber-framed buildings was once voted ‘Britain’s most picturesque
street’. The Shambles is a shopping destination like no other; a curiously quaint, flagstoned avenue overhung haphazardly by timber-framed houses dating from the 15th
century. Smell the delicious aromas wafting from chocolatiers, fudge-makers and
cafés, and browse unique jewellery, leather goods, woollens, curiosities and antiques
in old-fashioned shop fronts.
Afternoon tea doesn’t come any more traditional than at Bettys tearooms. Famed for
its Grand Cru Chocolate Torte, Yorkshire Fat Rascal scones and elegant afternoon
teas, there’s also a choice of 50 different beverages including varieties from Yorkshire
Tea, Britain’s favourite tea.