ITINERARY
FOR:
Travel Trade
MARKET:
US
AUDIENCE:
Active Inspiration Seekers
DURATION:
5 days
THEME:
Inspired Landscapes
The North, home to some of the greenest and most pleasant land in the country. National Parks,
dramatic landscapes, mountains and moorland together with beautiful award-winning gardens
against a backdrop of historic houses, lakes and waterfront locations. You will be moved by the
dramatic landscapes that have fuelled many a writer’s imagination, honed the lines of poets, and
inspired artists for centuries.
William Wordsworth once argued that poetry "takes its origin from emotion recollected in
tranquillity”. Experience the North of England’s inspirational landscapes and see why.
Day 1
Arrive Lake District from Manchester Airport (approx 1hr 30mins along the M6)
The Lake District is often called ‘the most beautiful corner of England’, and a
Mountain Goat Tour will show 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 cruise giving a flavour of what inspired writers, poets
and artists.
This unreservedly scenic expert-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.
Following a taster of all things Lakes, celebrate the 150th Anniversary of the birth of
Beatrix Potter, and be inspired by the places that Beatrix Potter loved across the
Lake District. Take another Mountain Goat tour to 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
medieval 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.
The private homes of wealthy early industrialists and Victorians have become classic
Lakeside, rural retreats. These 'small' hotels offer exceptionally high quality food
and drink, using produce reared and grown locally.
The Briery Wood Country House Hotel has all the trappings of 19th century
opulence, including meticulously maintained gardens and traditional afternoon tea,
with energising cycle trails (and bike hire) nearby. Holbeck Ghyll will win you over
first with jaw-dropping views of lake Windermere, and second with its incredible
food – breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner are all tantalising enough to make
you resist ever leaving. Merewood Country House Hotel is equally charming, and
the in-house chocolatier will please those with a sweet tooth. Finally, Gilpin Lake
House is the ultimate in luxury, with six individual suites and a hot tub with lake
views.
Whilst in the Lake District take the opportunity to check out any shows – Grasmere
Show, Kentmere show just two examples, the Lake District is full of these unique
festivals and country shows. Be inspired by the outdoor folk who live here, the
children fell running and watch traditional Cumberland Wrestling.
Eat where its made and head to Hawkshead Brewery at Staveley to sample some of
their fine ales, popping next door to the Artisan Bakery to sample their very own
treacle bread – it has to be tried to be believed.
2 nights Lake District
Day 3
Arrive Durham
Witness one of Europe's most stunning city panoramas and uncover the history of
Durham's breathtaking UNESCO World Heritage Site and admire the countryside
that inspired JMW Turner.
Get back to nature at High Force Waterfall. Explore a peaceful landscape of moors
and hills, valleys, waterfalls and rivers dotted with picturesque villages and historic
market towns.
Breathe the fresh, clean air of the English countryside and admire the splendour of
the Durham Dales and North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The
peace and tranquillity of the woodland walk from Bowlees Visitor Centre is soon
broken by the distant rumble of High Force – England’s highest uninterrupted drop
of water at 21 metres (70 feet). Stand in awe of England’s most commanding
waterfall, or venture downstream and seek out Low Force, a smaller but equally
impressive series of falls and the perfect picnic location.
Take the time to visit quaint nearby market towns, including Barnard Castle, famed
for its array of antique shops, and Stanhope, where you can see a 320 million-yearold fossil tree in the grounds of the 12th century church.
Overnight Durham
Day 4
Head to the geographic centre of England, the Forest of Bowland, via pretty
English villages, traditional pubs and film and literature locations.
Designated an ‘Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty’, expect to be impressed by The
Forest of Bowland. The exact geographic centre couldn’t be quainter – the tiny
village of Dunsop Bridge – with its teashop, riverside ducks and stunning fell views.
Head to Hurst Green and enjoy a traditional pint of ale at The Shireburn Arms,
whose surrounding landscape was inspiration for Middle Earth in Tolkien’s Hobbit
and Lord of the Rings. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle was another author moved by the
area, depicted in the Sherlock Holmes novel The Hound of the Baskervilles.
Visit the picture perfect English village of Downham, regularly used as a film and TV
location, and visit the Roman museum and baths at Ribchester.
Overnight Ribble Valley in one of the many country house hotels, guesthouses or
bed and breakfasts. Dine at Northcote, Lancashire’s Michelin-starred restaurant to
try the locally sourced menu including Lancashire hotpot (a tantalising combination
of lamb, potatoes and vegetables) or at one of the many pubs serving good
wholesome pub food with traditional ales inspired by the landscape.
Day 5
Haworth is a must for all fans of the works of the Bronte sisters. The picturesque
village of Haworth is where the Brontë sisters lived and were inspired.
See where Emily, Charlotte and Anne Brontë lived and wrote some of the most
powerful and dramatic novels in the English language. Visit The Brontë Parsonage,
the family's home, where you can see the rooms they used, filled with their
furniture, clothes and personal possessions. Then head to Haworth, with its
magnificent moorland views, to the quaint and bustling Main Street, an historic
cobbled road dotted with craft shops and tea rooms.
Walk out onto the wild and beautiful moors that Emily Brontë depicted so vividly
and imagine you can hear Catherine, heroine of Wuthering Heights, calling out
Heathcliff’s name. Enjoy the breathtaking, famous landscapes of the Brontë
countryside from a vintage locomotive steam engine stopping at Haworth, on the
Keighley & Worth Valley Railway.
Continue your journey to Chatsworth House in the heart of the Peak District
National Park (approx 2 hours along the M1)
Chatsworth House has been enchanting visitors for centuries. Since 1549 this has
been home to the Cavendish family, and its ornate rooms and diverse gardens burst
forth with rich history. There are over 30 rooms to explore, from the magnificent
Painted Hall to the regal state rooms and atmospheric Sculpture Gallery, while
private art haul the Devonshire Collection is one of the finest in Europe and worth a
visit in its own right.
Surrounding the house is a mesmerising horticultural tapestry of sweeping vistas,
cascading water features and finely crafted shrubberies. Writer Jane Austen was so
taken with it all that Chatsworth is believed to have inspired Mr Darcy’s residence
Pemberley in her novel Pride & Prejudice, and the estate took a starring role
alongside Kiera Knightley in the 2005 film adaptation of the book.