ITINERARY
For:
Group Travel Trade
Duration:
5 days
Theme:
Inspired Landscapes
Home to some of England’s most stunning landscapes, the North boasts five National Parks,
dramatic mountain ranges, romantic moorland, and beautiful award-winning gardens, studded with
historic houses, shimmering lakes and idyllic waterfront locations. Discover the lands that have fired
many a writer’s imagination, honed the lines of poets, and inspired artists through the centuries.
Wordsworth once wrote that poetry ‘takes its origin from emotion recollected in tranquillity’.
Experience the North of England’s inspirational landscapes and find out why.
Day 1
Arrive in the Lake District from Manchester Airport (approx. 1hr 30mins north
along the M6 motorway)
The Lake District is often called ‘the most beautiful corner of England’, and a
Mountain Goat Tour will show you why. The Ten Lakes Spectacular takes you to
the area’s most famous lakes, sites of historical interest, and on a cruise which gives
you a flavour of what inspired all those writers, poets and artists.
This unreservedly scenic and expertly-guided tour encompasses Windermere, Rydal
Water, Grasmere, Thirlmere, Derwent Water, Buttermere, Crummock Water,
Bassenthwaite, Ullswater and Brothers Water. Visit Romantic poet William
Wordsworth’s house and eat gingerbread made to a secret recipe. Castlerigg Stone
Circle, at around 4,000 years old, is another of the area’s historic gems. In Keswick,
enjoy lunch and explore the traditional Lakeland market town, while the lake cruise
will give you uninterrupted views of the Lakeland fells.
Following a taster of all things Lakes, celebrate the 150th Anniversary of the birth of
Beatrix Potter (author of The Tale of Peter Rabbit), and be inspired by the places she
loved. Take another Mountain Goat tour to Hill Top, once home to Potter whose
picturesque rural location inspired many of her best-loved characters. Then explore
Hawkshead, a scenic village where Wordsworth once studied.
The landscapes are picture-perfect, and a photo stop at Tarn Hows is a must, before
the tour continues onto Coniston Water for a lake cruise. You’ll pass the pretty lake
Yew Tree Tarn and the charming village of Skelwith Bridge, and then have the
option to finish with a quintessentially English cream tea at Lindeth Howe Country
House Hotel, the former home of Beatrix Potter’s mother on the edge of Lake
Windermere.
Eat and drink at the source at the Hawkshead Brewery at Staveley, where you can
sample some of their fine ales, popping next door to the Artisan Bakery to try their
very own treacle bread. Alternatively dine at L’Enclume, one of England’s finest
two-starred Michelin restaurants in Grange over Sands.
Before you leave, a must from the Lakes is Grasmere’s famous Gingerbread,
Cartmel’s Sticky Toffee Pudding and Kendal Mint Cake, but perhaps not all at once!
Day 2
Stay overnight in the Lake District and then travel to Alnwick (approx. 2 hrs along
the A69 and A1). Stop off at the historic market town of Hexham (approx. 1 hour
from Alnwick)
A 1300 year old abbey, ancient gatehouses and England’s first gaol - Hexham’s
heritage is a treat to explore. Discover curiously named streets and quaint buildings
as you trace the history of a typical traditional market town.
Continue to Alnwick (approx. 40 mins) to 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. Within its
walls, discover the stories of drama, intrigue, extraordinary people and why this
spectacular castle has inspired filmmakers to become the backdrop for the highly
acclaimed Harry Potter films.
While you’re here, don’t miss The Alnwick Garden, an extraordinary contemporary
estate where you can explore gardens originally inspired by Lancelot ‘Capability’
Brown. He remodelled the landscape north of Alnwick Castle, creating hills to hide
the castle from view until it looked most impressive to arriving visitors: an effect
that can still be enjoyed today.
From here travel a further 30 minutes via the A1 to Bamburgh
Dominating a wild stretch of northeast England’s coastline and towering above
grass-covered sand dunes is Bamburgh Castle. This seat of the former Kings of
Northumbria tells a spellbinding tale from its awe-inspiring position on the edge of
Northumberland’s coast. 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.
Return to Newcastle via Kirkharle and if time permits Belsay Hall and Cragside to
experience some more of the inspired landscapes of Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown.
Born in Kirkharle 300 years ago, he changed the face of 18th-century England,
creating dramatic landscapes in many celebrated stately homes.
Explore Belsay Hall’s Sicilian-inspired rock garden, and discover Wallington Hall’s
hidden walled garden. Early February is the ideal time to enjoy the spectacular
‘Snowdrop Festival’ at Howick Hall, while from mid-May to mid-June, Cragside’s
rhododendron display is in full and glorious bloom.
Kirkharle, Belsay and Wallington are around 15 miles from Newcastle.
Travel to Newcastle (approx. 40 mins from Bamburgh) to enjoy the evening and
overnight stay
Enjoy a dazzling mix of modern city, traditional and contemporary architecture and
a complete programme of festivals and events, all served up with a famous Geordie
welcome. Newcastle is world-famous for its Brown Ale, but many more craft
breweries have sprung up in the region, offering a wide range of authentic local
ales. Settle down for a pint, brewed on site in The Bridge Tavern’s own microbrewery – and if you are feeling hungry, there’s also lots of tasty local produce on
the menu too!
Also, don’t miss a live performance from the Royal Northern Sinfonia orchestra at
The Sage Gateshead.
Day 3
Travel to Malham via Durham (30 minutes from Newcastle)
Witness one of Europe's most stunning city panoramas and uncover the history of
Durham's breathtaking UNESCO World Heritage Site and immerse yourself in the
countryside that inspired the artist JMW Turner. Enjoy the charm of this quaint city
with a mid-morning walk along the river.
Continue your journey along the B6255. Discover the beauty of the Yorkshire
Dales as you travel towards Malham, and call at Ripon (1 hour break stop)
Explore the hidden depths of Ripon Cathedral in the small market town of Ripon.
Dominating the skyline, this ancient cathedral has inspired more than one literary
legend and has one of the oldest Saxon crypts in the country. The author Lewis
Carroll was a regular visitor here while his father was canon to the cathedral in the
19th century. Hunt for the weird and wonderful medieval woodcarvings hidden
under the choir stalls, which are said to have inspired characters and events in
Carroll’s book Alice in Wonderland.
Continue your journey to Malham (1 hour from Ripon)
Straddling the Pennine hills in the North of England, the Yorkshire Dales National
Park offers dramatic limestone scenery, heather moorland and delightful towns and
villages. Each valley or ‘dale’ has its own distinct and highly photogenic character.
Stay overnight in Malham and enjoy some locally sourced pub food and traditional
Yorkshire ale – such as Black Sheep.
Day 4
Take an early morning walk and follow in the footsteps of centuries of visitors to
Malham Cove, a limestone amphitheatre in the Yorkshire Dales.
Inspiring artists through the ages, from painter JMW Turner to contemporary
filmmakers, the stunning cliff of Malham Cove is a towering and impressive sight.
Easily accessible on foot from the village of Malham, the Cove is a 70 metre (230ft)
high, gently curving cliff made of white limestone that has formed over the last
one–and-a-half-million years.
The sheer rock face of the Cove challenges daring climbers and protects nesting
peregrine falcons that can be seen during the summer months. Climb above the
Cove to a remarkable area of limestone pavement that recently found fame in the
film Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows. Don’t miss the delightful waterfall at
Janet’s Foss, the dramatic gorge Gordale Scar and Malham Tarn, the highest lake in
England.
Travel to Haworth (approx 1 hr) along the A629
Haworth is a must for all literature fans of the Brontë sisters. This picturesque
village was home to Emily, Charlotte and Anne Brontë and was where they wrote
their world famous novels. Visit The Brontë Parsonage and explore the rooms they
used, filled with their furniture, clothes and personal possessions. Then head to the
quaint and bustling Main Street, a historic cobbled road dotted with craft shops,
tearooms and magnificent moorland views.
Walk out onto the wild and beautiful moors that Emily Brontë depicted so vividly
and imagine you can hear Catherine, heroine of Wuthering Heights, calling out
Heathcliff’s name.
Continue your journey to Bakewell in the heart of the Peak District National Park
(approx. 2 hrs)
Bakewell is a charming market town that’s famous for its sweet and sticky Bakewell
Pudding. The flakey, jam-filled pastry topped with egg and almond paste was made
by accident in the early 19th century, and its recipe is a closely guarded secret in
Bakewell’s top bakeries.
Overnight Bakewell to enjoy the atmosphere and culinary delights from this ‘foodie’
hotspot.
Day 5
Continue your journey to Chatsworth House 10 mins from Bakewell
Chatsworth House has been enchanting visitors for centuries. Since 1549 this has
been home to the Cavendish family, and its ornate rooms and diverse gardens burst
forth with rich history. There are over 30 rooms to explore, from the magnificent
Painted Hall to the regal state rooms and atmospheric Sculpture Gallery, while
private art haul the Devonshire Collection is one of the finest in Europe and worth a
visit in its own right.
Surrounding the house is a mesmerising horticultural tapestry of sweeping vistas,
cascading water features and finely crafted shrubberies. Jane Austen was so taken
with Chatsworth, it is believed to have inspired Mr Darcy’s residence, Pemberley, in
her novel Pride & Prejudice, and the estate took a starring role alongside Kiera
Knightley in the 2005 film adaptation of the book.