ITINERARY
FOR:
Travel Trade
MARKET:
Germany
AUDIENCE:
Discoverer’s
DURATION:
3 days
THEME:
Inspired Landscapes
Home to some of England’s most stunning landscapes, the North boasts five National Parks,
dramatic mountain ranges, romantic moorland, together with 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 Newcastle via Airport (30 minutes from the city centre)
Head north 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 in The Alnwick Garden.
Within the castle walls, discover the stories of drama, intrigue and extraordinary
people. Learn about a gunpowder plot, 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. Alnwick was also 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 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.
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.
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. Each summer Bamburgh reveals more of its past in live
archaeological excavations.
Return to Newcastle via Kirkharle and if time permits visit Belsay Hall and Cragside
to experience some of the inspired landscapes of Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown.
Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown was born in Kirkharle 200 years ago, and changed the
face of 18th-century England, creating dramatic landscapes in many of England’s
celebrated stately homes. 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.
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.
Kirkhale, Belsay and Wallington are around 15 miles from Newcastle.
Return to Newcastle to enjoy the evening
Explore the cultural venues on NewcastleGateshead’s waterfront. United by seven
bridges across a spectacular riverscape, Newcastle and Gateshead form a single,
diverse and extremely vibrant visitor destination. 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 micro-brewery – if you are
feeling hungry, there’s also lots of tasty local produce on the menu too!
Day 2
Travel along the A696 to Northumberland National Park
Northumberland National Park is the ideal destination to be inspired by the
beauty of the region’s protected parks. It has a rich array of wildlife, from wild
goats to red squirrels.
Just a few minutes’ drive from the town of Haltwhistle, set amongst the dramatic
and atmospheric landscape lie the well-preserved cluster of Hadrian’s wall
settlements, Vindolanda and Housesteads, where you can wander the barrack
blocks, hospital and peer into the oldest toilets you’ll ever see!
A short distance north is Kielder Water & Forest Park and the International Dark
Sky Park. It’s the largest in Europe, where you can be spellbound by up to 2,000
stars at any one time. As home to some of Europe’s darkest night skies,
Northumberland has truly spectacular galaxy gazing from atmospheric locations
and ancient Roman sites.
Stay overnight in one of the many campsites, bed and breakfasts, or hotels in the
area to experience the constellations the way the Romans did.
Day 3
Travel one hour to the Lake District National Park and enjoy a Mountain Goat
experience like no other.
Departing Windermere, this tour named the ‘Ten Lakes Spectacular’, takes you to
see some of the Lake District’s show-stopping sights in one day.
The Lake District is often called ‘the most beautiful corner of England’, and this
Mountain Goat tour shows you why. One of the company’s most popular tours,
the Ten Lakes Spectacular takes you to the area’s most famous lakes, sites of
historical interest, and on a Lakeland cruise.
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. You’ll see
why so many poets, artists, and writers have been inspired by the Lake District
and will still have plenty of time for shopping and stops for photographs.
For lunch, why not try famous Cumberland Sausages followed by a Cartmel Sticky
Toffee pudding? Just two of England’s many favourites from the Lakes.
Depart Manchester Airport