Monday 31st: Make our way to the hotel located in the Seaton Burn countryside arriving in time to settle in with tea and a delicious pastry before dinner.
Tuesday 1st: Today we travel north to Alnwick Castle, one of Britain’s most iconic castles and you will be able to view the lavish Italian Renaissance style interiors of the State Rooms. Most recently featured in Transformers: The Last Knight, and as the magnificent Brancaster Castle in Downton Abbey's 2015 and 2016 Christmas specials.
Wednesday 2nd: Your specially appointed Blue Badge Guide greets you from the hotel and takes you on your coach guided tour beginning with a 1 mile causeway crossing to Holy Island, a 1000 acre unspoiled medieval island and the epicentre of Christianity in Anglo- Saxon times. After a hearty lunch (at guests’ own cost) we proceed back to the mainland and arrive at the Heatherslaw Light Railway for a 20 minute single journey on “the most northerly steam railway in England”. Alight at Etal and proceed on the brief
journey to peaceful Ford village, home to the Hudson Heritage "Best Hidden Gem" awarded Lady Waterford Hall. (Crossings to the island are dependent on tides forecast for the day)
Thursday 3rd: Today we visit Raby Castle, without doubt one of the most impressive intact castles in the North of England. Built in the 14th century by the powerful Nevill family, it has a long history. Home to Cecily Nevill, mother of two kings of England. On our return to our hotel we spend time in Durham, acclaimed as a World Heritage Site and dominated by the magnificent Norman Cathedral.
Friday 4th: We depart after breakfast for our journey home.