ITINERARY
FOR:
Travel Trade
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 enter. With over 800 years of history from its Royal Charter in 1207,
there is much to see and do in Liverpool.
The Albert Dock is one of the country’s top heritage attractions, home to the awardwinning visitor attraction The Beatles Story. Bar London, the city has more museums and
galleries than any other UK city, including International Slavery Museum, Merseyside
Maritime Museum, Tate Liverpool and the 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 see 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 ‘blind scouse’ if you’re vegetarian, 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 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.
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 a number of stations.
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.
*Journeys for the East Lancashire Railway depart from Bolton Street station in the town of
Bury, 10 miles north of Manchester. To get to Bury, 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, 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 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 of one of England’s Heritage Cities.
Start your visit to the northwestern city of Lancaster at Lancaster Castle, Her Majesty 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 Pendle 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 picturesque villages
Explore Hadrian’s Wall by bike, bus, on foot or with a guided tour from Carlisle.
The 80-mile (129km) 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 revel 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 associated with
Edward 1st’s last days.
There’s also a bus – aptly named the AD122 (when construction of the Wall began) – 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 and enjoy the
delights of Newcastle’s waterfront and seven bridges, its 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)
Wander through history and admire world-class art at this fascinating castle, then stroll
through spectacular floral displays at The Alnwick Garden. Alnwick Castle is the secondlargest inhabited castle in England, and 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 who have
lived there. 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.
Once refreshed, head up to the dramatic 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.