ITINERARY
FOR:
Press
MARKET:
Australia
AUDIENCE:
Silver Stylers
DURATION:
5 days
THEME:
Hands on History
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 award-winning
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 on a UNESCO World Heritage
setting.
For something a little different cross the 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, containing
outstanding 18th and 19th century works. It was built in honour of Lord Leverhulme’s
beloved wife as a place for villagers to see magnificent, world-famous artworks, including
Pre-Raphaelite masterpieces.
Bebington is the closest rail station, a 14-minute journey from Liverpool Central
Did you know? Port Sunlight was built by Lord Leverhulme to provide homes for his
workers at the nearby Lever factory. It was the work of over 30 architects and is now
beautifully maintained by proud residents to look almost exactly as it did when first built.
Tate Liverpool, located at Albert Dock, is a must-visit for contemporary art lovers, and is
the UK’s most visited gallery of its kind outside London.
Did you know? Sir Henry Tate invented the sugar cube. Born in Lancashire 1819 and the
founder of Tate and Lyle, he presented his art collection to the Nation in 1894.
Take an opportunity to relax and enjoy the views, take the world famous ferry across the
Mersey.
Did you know? The first regular ferry from Birkenhead to Liverpool was run by Benedectine
Monks. The Monks would row over to the fishing village in Liverpool on market days, and
offer the service to travellers. The service was granted a Royal Charter by Edward III in
1330.
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 30 minutes)
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 as you experience what it was like to work in a cotton mill, see
one of the world's largest collections of working steam mill engines and explore the inside
of a Victorian sewer….
The museum also brings scientific discovery right up to the modern day through their
interactive Experiment Centre and fantastic 4D cinema.
Hop on a tram and head over 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 gives a taste of what train travel was like in Victorian England. The route stretches
between the towns of Rawtenstall and Heywood, stopping off at six stations and skirting
the edge of the West Pennine Moors. Disembark at Ramsbottom to enjoy a wander
around the shops, the antiques centre, 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 market and
perhaps partake in Bury’s famous delicacy, Black Pudding.
Did you know? The original track opened in 1846 at the peak of England’s ‘railway mania’
and is today preserved by more than 600 volunteers. It has access to the mainline too,
allowing for a constant turnover of celebrated steam and diesel engines.
Journeys for the Railway depart from Bolton Street station in the town of Bury, 10 miles
north of Manchester. To get there, it’s a 30 minute tram journey from Manchester Victoria
station.
Overnight in Manchester. Enjoy a cocktail at Manchester’s Cloud in the Hilton, fabulous
food in the fashionable Spinningfields quarter of Manchester or head up to the Northern
Quarter.
The Northern Quarter in Manchester’s city centre is a uniquely ‘Mancunian’
neighbourhood: alternative, bohemian and creative. It's home to countless independent
bars, cafés and restaurants, and visitors can spend hours browsing through its art galleries,
boutiques and vintage stores.
One of the best places in the city for a night out. Taste local British ingredients at TNQ
restaurant and bar before heading to Apotheca to sample its range of quirky and inventive
cocktails.
Day 3
Pick up a hire car and travel to Lancaster from Manchester (approx 1hr 20 mins)
Uncover Lancaster’s ancient and haunting history at its hilltop castle and enjoy the
cosmopolitan style in one of England’s Heritage Cities.
Start your visit to the northwestern city of Lancaster at its Castle, HM The Queen’s only
castle in the North of England. Its courtrooms have witnessed famous and infamous trials
over the centuries, including those of the Lancashire Witches, convicted and sentenced to
death in 1612. Explore the stories of the thousands of convicts deported to the Colonies
during the 17th and 18th centuries.
Stroll along the city’s historic canal or take a canal boat cruise to the magnificent Lune
Aqueduct, a striking architectural gem. Wander up woodland paths around Williamson
Park and the beautiful Ashton Memorial, Lancashire’s ‘Taj Mahal’, built in 1909 with
stunning views over Morecambe Bay.
Discover Lancaster’s Roman, maritime, Georgian and Victorian history at the four city
museums and make time to explore the city's traditional pubs, famous for live music and
great ales, many brewed locally.
Continue your journey along the M6 (approx 1hr 20mins) to the Lake District staying
overnight
Day 4
Continue your journey to Hadrian’s Wall through the Lake District’s villages enjoying the
scenery unfold before your eyes
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 an exciting variety of ways.
Enjoy a run or a walk on the Hadrian’s Wall Path National Trail and take in breathtaking
scenery of the rolling fields, moorlands and nearby historic sites, such as 13th century
Lanercost Priory. If you’re a keen cyclist, ride the challenging slopes along the Hadrian’s
Wall Cycle Way. Go the whole distance, and you can enjoy the two cities of Carlisle and
Newcastle with quiet country lanes in between.
Alternatively 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 historical medieval sites such associated
with Edward 1st last days.
There’s also 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.
Head over to Newcastle on the A69 (1hr 20mins) for an overnight stay enjoying the
delights of Newcastle’s waterfront and seven bridges, famous local ales, produce and the
famous Geordie welcome.
Day 5
Explore captivating Alnwick Castle and its gardens along the A1 (approx 45 mins from
Newcastle)
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 secondlargest 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 tree houses, home to a chic and
lofty restaurant, a cup of tea here is sure to be fun.
Did you know? Alnwick Castle is the second-largest inhabited castle in England and has
been home to the Duke of Northumberland’s family, the Percys, for over 700 years.
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.
Did you know? Bamburgh’s filming pedigree dates as far back as 1927 with films including
Ivanhoe (Elizabeth Taylor); Robin Hood; Elizabeth and MacBeth all filmed here. Alnwick
was the backdrop for the highly acclaimed Harry Potter films