Historic Durham

Day 1

Departing the local area, we travel north with a stop on route before arriving at the 4* Radisson Blu Hotel Durham, with time to settle in before dinner.

Day 2

After a leisurely breakfast we make our way to Auckland Castle, one of the best-preserved bishops' palaces in the whole of Europe. The Castle recently reopened after undergoing major conservation work, which has transformed its state rooms to their original Georgian Gothic splendour, as designed by the renowned English architect James Wyatt. See the redevelopment of the stunning Walled Garden, which was originally built in the 17th century, and explore the 150-acre medieval deer park. Your ticket also includes admission to the brand-new Faith Museum where you can discover stories of faith in Britain spanning 6,000 years.

Day 3

Today we visit the open-air Beamish Museum, which tells the story of life in the North East during the 1820s, 1900s and 1940s, all set within 300 acres of beautiful countryside. Experience life in the 1820s at Pockerley, explore a 1900s town and see how families lived and worked in the years leading up to the First World War. Visit the Colliery & Pit village and discover how life was on the home front during the Second World War on the Farm with Land Girls and the Home Guard.

Day 4

After a leisurely breakfast we enjoy a trip through the stunning Durham Dales, designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, passing through the pretty village of Blanchland, and across the Pennines to the town of Barnard Castle. After lunch we visit the renowned Bowes Museum, a spectacular French-style Chateau with ornate gardens housing internationally significant collections of fine and decorative arts.

Day 5

On our final day we will take a morning stop in the pretty town of Thirsk, ever famous as home to the real James Herriott, before continuing our journey home.

D=Dinner, B=Breakfast