ITINERARY
FOR:
Press
MARKET:
Germany
AUDIENCE:
Discoverers
DURATION:
3 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 Leeds Bradford Airport 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 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-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. 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.
Overnight in York
Day 2
From York head over to Castle Howard via the A64 (approx 40 mins)
Go behind the scenes at majestic Castle Howard a magnificent 18th century house
set in 1,000 acres of breathtaking landscape in the Howardian Hills, an Area of
Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Explore the world-renowned collections and stunning architecture, learning about
the Howard family, who have called the castle their home for 300 years. A
conducted tour covers the castle’s history which has connections to England’s
greatest artists, architects, statesmen and rulers.
Stroll among the roses in the splendid 18th century Walled Garden and enjoy
walks in the woodland. Don’t miss the Temple of the Four Winds, where current
owner, the Hon Simon Howard, was married. In the summer, you can row a boat
out onto the Great Lake, enjoying spectacular views of the house.
Did you know? Castle Howard was the backdrop to Brideshead Revisited (both
the 2008 film and 1981 TV series) where filmmakers used this North Yorkshire
estate to capture quintessential northern English countryside at its grandest.
From here head to Helmsley (approx 20 mins) along the B1257 to feed your soul
at the ruins of Rievaulx Abbey
Medieval monks chose a serene valley in the North York Moors National Park to
establish an abbey that became the richest and most powerful in England.
Despite being in ruins since the 16th century, Rievaulx Abbey still impresses, with
its soaring walls and weathered stones set in beautiful countryside. Here, where
history, heritage and landscape combine to glorious effect, you can enjoy England
at its most timeless.
The abbey is the first stop on the 109 mile (175 km) Cleveland Way National Trail,
which takes in history, moorland and dramatic coastline. If that seems rather a
long way, follow the easy 2 mile (3km) walk from the medieval castle in nearby
Helmsley. Depending on the season, admire springtime bluebells in the woods and
lambs in the field, blue skies and summer wildflowers, or moody skies and kicking
through fallen leaves before arriving at grand Rievaulx. Picnic on the lawn or take
afternoon tea in the tearoom overlooking the ruins.
Travel the A170 to Ripon (approx 40 mins from Helmsley) to relive the past at
Fountains Abbey & Studley Royal
Peel back 900 years of history at this UNESCO World Heritage Site of majestic
monastic ruins, water gardens and medieval deer park. There is nowhere better
to explore the dramatic rise and fall of English monasticism. Ambling under the
high arches and vast roofless remains, you can almost hear the whispered prayers
and pious chanting of monks that echoed here as long ago as the 12th century.
Fountains Abbey is set in beautiful scenery next to the sparkling River Skell, beside
ancient woodland filled with birdsong and an idyllic deer park. Here too are the
stunning 18th-century water gardens of Studley Royal, which delight with trickling
fountains, statues, romantic follies and mirror-like pools. The site is also home to
a Jacobean Manor House, a Victorian church and Cistercian mill a true picture of
history in one place!
Overnight at in Ripon. Just five minutes’ stroll from Ripon’s ancient market square
is the delightful Ripon Spa Hotel. The Spa itself is now purely historic, but our
Ripon Hotel has countless pleasures to offer. Our Hotel has been privately owned
by the same family for a century and new refurbishments now accentuate its
graceful architecture and comfortable elegance. Set in eight glorious acres of
landscaped grounds and gardens, it also boasts the finest drinks terrace in Ripon.
Day 3
Travel to Leeds via Harrogate on the A61 (approx 50 mins)
Be inspired at Leeds Art Gallery with a collection of 20th century British art
regarded as the best outside London. It includes many awe-inspiring
masterpieces. Marvel at internationally important masterpieces. When you’ve
explored the galleries and exhibitions, take time out in the stunning Victorian Tiled
Hall Café before heading to the adjacent Henry Moore Institute. Both buildings are
located on the Headrow in Leeds city centre and entrance is free
Did you know? The Henry Moore Insititute is named after Leeds College of Art’s
most famous graduate and forms part of the respected Yorkshire Sculpture
Triangle.
Britain’s national museum of arms and armour, The Royal Armouries, is home to a
fascinating collection, including the only existing suit of armour built for an
elephant.
It is the sister museum to the Tower of London and home to the UK’s largest
collection of arms, armour and artillery. The collection is displayed across six
galleries, each with a different theme: War, Tournament, Oriental, Self-Defence,
Hunting and Peace.
Get up close to the royal armours of the Tudor and Stuart kings, including Henry
VIII, and reveal the secrets of how soldiers defended themselves in the English
Civil Wars. Your historical experience could also include sword fighting and
jousting as events take place regularly throughout the year, offering visitors a true
taste of sporting spectacles dating back thousands of years. The attraction is free
to enter.
A late lunch at Kirkgate Market, one of the biggest in Europe, with fresh food stalls
will get your taste buds tingling.
At the heart of the Leeds retail scene since 1857, Kirkgate Market is home to some
of the most characterful traders in the city. Some businesses have been here for
generations and represent a wide range of nationalities including a Polish
delicatessen, a Chinese supermarket, an Asian Bazaar every Wednesday morning
and regular farmer’s markets.
Did you know? Many of the finest restaurants in Leeds source their fresh fish and
vegetables at Kirkgate Market, which demonstrates the quality of the produce on
offer.