ITINERARY
FOR:
Travel Trade
MARKET:
US
AUDIENCE:
Active Inspiration Seekers
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 in Manchester and head to York to 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 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.
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.
The high stone parapets give amazing views of the cathedral, labyrinthine medieval
streets and beautiful gardens of historic York below, and the five gatehouses or ‘bars’
and 45 towers that dot the walk. They include the Roman-built Multangular Tower and
the ceremonial Micklegate Bar, through which kings and queens entered the city, but
also where traitors’ severed heads would be skewered on pikes.
Travel back in time along one of Europe’s best-preserved medieval shopping streets,
with cheerful cafés and quirky shops in timber-framed buildings. Once voted ‘Britain’s
most picturesque street’, The Shambles is a shopping destination like no other. It is a
curiously quaint, flag-stoned avenue overhung haphazardly by timber-framed houses
dating from the 15th century. The beautifully restored buildings house an appealing
mix of shops and places to eat. 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 Betty’s 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.
Overnight in York
Day 2
Head to Harrogate from York (40 mins along the A59) and take the day to relax in
Harrogate’s Turkish Baths & Health Spa
Mix lavish 19th-century glamour with contemporary spa indulgences in these elaborate
Turkish baths, recently restored to their former glory.
For centuries stylish visitors have flocked to the spa town of Harrogate to ‘take the
waters’ and enjoy a regime of restoration and relaxation. With 88 springs, ‘the English
spa’ became the preferred destination for European high society. Magnificent hotels
were built alongside state of the art spa and leisure facilities, which help give the town
its elegance today.
The flamboyant Royal Baths first opened in 1896; Victorians were enthralled by
Moorish designs, great Islamic arches and Italian-laid terrazzo floors. Today’s spa
visitors can enjoy these truly unique surroundings as they relax and unwind in the
heated chambers, steam room, invigorating plunge pool and elegant Frigidarium.
Enjoy the perfect mix of fresh air and fresh food, with walking trails lined by historical
landmarks, geological wonders and welcoming village pubs.
Overnight in Harrogate
Day 3
Travel to Ripon (20 minutes, A59 Skipton) and be inspired by centuries-old Fountains
Abbey and Georgian Studley Royal Water Gardens, combining history and beauty in
one atmospheric setting.
Nestled in the pretty Skell Valley, a short distance from Ripon in North Yorkshire, is a
history fan’s paradise: Studley Royal Park and the ruins of Fountains Abbey, a
designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. This impressive Cistercian abbey was
established by monks in the 12th century, and what remains are the largest medieval
ruins in England.
In the 18th century, the then owner set about creating a water garden and his son
went on to incorporate Fountains Abbey into the gardens, creating the romantic
pleasure ground you see today.
Spend your day exploring the abbey’s hidden passages and corners and wander
through the tranquil water gardens and admire the classical statues, follies and ponds.
Nature lovers will enjoy spotting Red, Fallow and Sika deer, pheasants, swans, bats and
beautiful ancient trees.
Travel to Hawes (approx. 1 hour from Ripon)
Learn about the art of dry stone walling in Yorkshire. Watch the Yorkshire Dales
Volunteers demonstrate this traditional craft at the Dales Countryside Museum.
Dry stone walls are a distinctive feature of the Yorkshire Dales landscape in northern
England and this ancient skill is thousands of years old. There are around 5,000 miles
(8,000 km) of the walls in total and represent some of the oldest man-made features of
the landscape.
Today dry stone walling is becoming increasingly popular and demonstrations at the
Dales Countryside Museum promote a greater understanding and knowledge about
this traditional craft, encouraging the repair and maintenance of these walls
throughout England. The museum is found in the former railway station at Hawes in
the spectacular setting of the Yorkshire Dales.
Stay overnight in Lancaster (1 hour from Hawes). Uncover Lancaster’s ancient and
haunting history at its hilltop castle and enjoy the vibrant nightlife in one of England’s
Heritage Cities.
Day 4
Start your visit to the northwestern city of Lancaster at Lancaster Castle, HM The
Queen’s only castle in the North of England. Its courtrooms have witnessed many
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 of which are brewed locally.
Travel to Chester (1 hour 30 mins from Lancaster). Stay overnight and enjoy a five-star
meal at the Chester Grosvenor, part of the Duke of Westminster’s estate.
Day 5
Discover Roman walls, medieval shopping galleries and England’s oldest racecourse in
the historic city of Chester.
Chester is an historian’s delight, displaying fine examples of architecture throughout
the ages. It began life as a Roman fort, and the impressive medieval walls surrounding
the city in part sit upon genuine Roman foundations. Its main shopping streets feature
the unique two-tiered black-and-white clad medieval shopping galleries known as ‘The
Rows’, which today offer an eclectic range of designer boutiques, restaurants and
tearooms.
The magnificent 1000-year-old Chester Cathedral is free to enter and provides a place
of tranquillity amid the urban hubbub. The city is also home to Chester Racecourse,
the oldest racecourse in England, founded in 1539. Admire Victorian architecture in the
beautiful Grosvenor Park beside the River Dee, and for a thorough history lesson there
are several open-top bus tours that highlight the city’s heritage and boats trips on the
River Dee.