ITINERARY
FOR:
Press
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 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 oldfashioned shop fronts.
Overnight in York
Day 2
Head to Harrogate (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 screens, wall of vibrant glazed brickwork, the
arabesque painted ceilings 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 or 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) to visit a one-of-a-kind World Heritage Site
Be inspired by centuries-old Fountains Abbey and Georgian Studley Royal Water
Gardens, which combine history and beauty in one atmospheric setting.
Nestled in the pretty Skell Valley, a short distance from Ripon, North Yorkshire, is a
history fan’s paradise: Studley Royal Park and the ruins of Fountains Abbey, now a
designated UNESCO World Heritage Site, the 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, John Aislabie inherited Studley Royal and set
about creating a garden. His son went on to incorporate Fountains Abbey into the
gardens, creating the romantic pleasure ground you see today.
Spend your day exploring the hidden passages and corners of the Abbey, and wander
through the tranquil water gardens admiring 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 dry stone walling in Yorkshire. Watch the Yorkshire Dales Volunteers
demonstrate the traditional craft of dry stone walling at the Dales Countryside
Museum.
The ancient skill of dry stone walling in Britain stretches back at least three and a half
million years. Dry stone walls are built without any mortar or cement and are a
distinctive feature in the Yorkshire Dales landscape in northern England. There are
around 5,000 miles (8,000 km) in length of them, and they are some of the oldest manmade features of the landscape.
Today dry stone walling is becoming increasingly popular and demonstrations at the
Dales Countryside Museum aim to promote a greater understanding and knowledge
about the traditional craft of dry stone walling and to encourage 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.
Overnight stay in Lancaster (1 hour from Hawes)
Day 4
Uncover Lancaster’s ancient and haunting history at its hilltop castle and enjoy the
vibrant nightlife in one of England’s Heritage Cities.
Start your visit to the northwestern city of Lancaster at its Castle, HM The Queen’s only
castle in the North of England. Its courtrooms have witnessed famous and infamous
trials over the centuries, including those of the Lancashire 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 brewed locally.
Overnight stay in Chester (1 hour 30 mins from Lancaster)
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.
Chester’s magnificent 1000-year-old Cathedral is free entry 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. Victorian architecture in Chester can be
experienced at 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.