England's North Country

Today is all about The Beatles. Visit The Beatles Story, a museum dedicated to the Fab Four and see Penny Lane and Strawberry Fields. The former homes of John Lennon and Paul McCartney are owned by The National Trust and can be visited on request. In the afternoon travel north the short distance to The Lake District National Park. Overnight stay in The Lake District.

Depart on an extended tour of The Lake District. Meet with locals in small, pretty, market towns such as Ambleside and Keswick, home to the odd, but fascinating, Pencil Museum, and cruise on Lake Windermere. Journey to the village of Grasmere and visit Dove Cottage, the home of the famous Poet William Wordsworth. All perfectly designed to absorb the National Park's unique identity.  Overnight stay in The Lake District.

Travel through The Pennines, known as the spine of England and enter The Yorkshire Dales National Park, encompassing

thousands of miles of hills, moors, valleys and villages. Discovery The Wensleydale Creamery, made famous by Wallace and Gromit, and enjoy a cream tea. Pause in the Skipton area to take a canal cruise on England's longest inland waterway before arriving in York. Overnight stay in York.

After breakfast take an escorted walk through the ancient streets of the city. Walk down "The Shambles" and "Whip-ma wop-ma-gate". Visit Viking York at Jorvik and tour the outstanding York Minster. Free time to explore the city further on your own by perhaps walking around the city walls or take a Ghost Walk in what could be the most haunted city in the world! Overnight stay in York.

A full day guided excursion in the North Yorkshire Moors National Park, an upland area with one of the largest heather moorlands in The United Kingdom. A great way to experience the area is by train on a heritage railway line that has been used in several film and TV shows, including Heartbeat, Harry Potter and Downton Abbey. This afternoon see the North Sea coast and visit the seaside town of Whitby, associated with Captain Cook and Count Dracula. Overnight stay in York.

Journeying north, pause to visit the city of Durham, described by many as the most attractive city in England. A visit will be made to the astonishing Durham Cathedral before the remainder of the day is spent enjoying Beamish which shows this region as it was in Victorian, Georgian and Edwardian times. Take a journey on a tram, visit an old school, talk to the friendly and knowledgeable costumed staff and try tasty homemade baked goods. Overnight stay in County Durham.

After breakfast journey north of Newcastle and The River Tyne to The Northumbrian National Park. The coastline here is amongst England's most attractive and is showcased wonderfully in the village of Bamburgh. The castle is Grade 1 listed and, in the 4th century, may have been the capital of England. Staying on the coast, cross the tidal causeway to The Holy Island of Lindisfarne. Visit the ancient Priory, see the castle and try some of the local mead. Overnight stay in County Durham.

A full day exploring the wonders of Hadrian's Wall. Begin at the site known as Vindolanda. Here, archaeologists will show you items that have been recently discovered. Highlights include the Roman Writing Tablets that have been voted Britain's Top Treasure. These are like postcards written by Roman Soldiers based on "The Wall" and are the oldest surviving hand written documents in Britain. Next, visit Birdoswald Roman Fort, the best located of the Roman Forts, within a stunning landscape. The included local guide really brings history to life. Travel south for our last night. Overnight stay in  Manchester airport area.

An executive motor coach is provided for the transfer to Manchester airport.