ITINERARY
FOR:
Press
MARKET:
China
AUDIENCE:
Social Pioneers
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 40 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 is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
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 homes his for 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.
Head out on a Beatles Magical Mystery Tour. Follow in the footsteps of John, Paul,
George and Ringo with this immersive tour of where they lived, met and played
throughout Liverpool. The 2-hour tour will take you to The Beatles' birthplaces, childhood
homes and schools, as well as places that inspired some of their most memorable songs,
including Penny Lane and Strawberry Fields Forever. You’ll also see where John and Paul
met for the first time. A fully qualified Beatles Guide will entertain and inform you and, of
course, play you Fab Four tunes along the way. Feel free to sing along!
The tour finishes at the legendary Cavern Club, where you can present your ticket for an
exclusive souvenir of your trip and enjoy live music most afternoons and evenings.
Overnight in Liverpool is a must to enjoy the local ambience, friendly people, wonderous
cocktails and culinary delights. Head to the Cavern and see where the Beatles first played
in their 60s heyday.
Day 2
Arrive Lake District and take a tour of Beatrix Potter's Lake District
Mountain Goat offer superb minibus tours of the Lake District – discover much-loved
author Beatrix Potter’s favourite countryside on a half-day trip.
Your tour visits Hill Top, the house belonging to Potter (author of The Tale of Peter Rabbit)
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 through pretty Yew Tree
Tarn, a small lake, and Skelwith Bridge, a cute village, and 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, before returning to your
accommodation.
Overnight Lake District
Day 3
Continue your journey to Hadrian’s Wall
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 try 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 4
Explore captivating Alnwick Castle and its gardens along the A1 (approx 45 mins)
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
Day 5
From Newcastle head to York (approx 1hr 50mins) and travel back 2,000 years at
revealing York Minster
One of the world’s loveliest Gothic cathedrals and certainly England’s biggest, York Minster
dominates the city below it 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-yearold 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. The cathedral is a short walk across the river from York
Enjoy a bird's-eye view of the city and 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 five gatehouses or ‘bars’ and 45 towers
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.
Did you know? The Shambles was once lined with butchers’ shops and was made narrow
by design to keep the meat out of direct sunlight. Most properties still have exterior
wooden shelves, which are reminders of when cuts of meat were served from the open
windows.
Today, 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.