Northumberland

A 4 night/5 day tour based in Newcastle

Tuesday 29th September - Saturday 3rd October 2026

Northumberland, England’s most northerly county, is an area of contrasting landscapes famed for its wild moors and rugged hills, peppered with areas of industrial development. The presence of Hadrian’s Wall, which ran from the River Tyne to SolwayFirth, not only stands as testimony to Roman occupation but also to its status as a border crossing, which undoubtedly shaped its history and contributed to its continuous record of border warfare. This tour will highlight the very best Newcastle, and the surrounding region, has to offer.

TUESDAY 29 SEPTEMBER 2026

We will depart our local pick-up points and travel by coach to Bakewell. Situated on the banks of the River Wye, Bakewell is  the biggest town in the Peak District and is known for its picturesque landscapes and cultural heritage. There will be time to take lunch.

We will rejoin our coach for the short journey to HaddonHall, that sits on a rocky outcrop above the River Wye and dates back to the time of William the Conqueror. The hall was deserted for over 200 years and thus escaped the major architectural changes of the 18th and 19th centuries, leaving us a medieval and Tudor manor house that has changed little since the reign of Henry VIII. Today, the hall is a popular location for film and television productions. We will have a guided tour of the hall with a resident guide.

We will continue to Newcastle, where we will check into the centrally located Hotel Indigo Newcastle (4 star) for 4 nights’ bed and breakfast accommodation. After some time to freshen up, a welcome drink and dinner will be taken in the hotel restaurant.

WEDNESDAY 30 SEPTEMBER 2026

After breakfast at the hotel we will meet our local Blue Badge Guide and walk to the Laing Art Gallery. The Laing houses a fine collection of Pre-Raphaelite paintings and works by local 19th century artists. We will have an introductory talk with our local guide, followed by some free time to explore the galleries. Our morning will include the opportunity for a short independent refreshment break.

We will continue with a guided tour of Newcastle, both by coach and on foot. Abounding with history, Newcastle city centre actually has more listed classical buildings than any other city in theUnited Kingdom. Our tour will include the elegant streets of Grainger Town, the stunning Grade I listed Theatre Royal and the contrasting contemporary architecture of the Gateshead Millennium Bridge. We willalso travel outside the city centre to see the Angel of the North.This afternoon we will visit Beamish - The Living Museum of the North, recently awarded Art Fund Museum of The Year2025. Established in 1972, Beamish Museum was conceptualised as a way of celebrating North East England’s industrial heritage, including coal mining, ship building and steel manufacturing, and the communities that served them. Exhibit areas include the Edwardian Town, Colliery Village, Home Farm, Pockerley Manor and the Railway Station, which are all recreations of life in the North during the early 1900s. There will be time to take lunch and explore the site on a free-flow basis. We will return to our hotel by coach, and the evening will be at leisure.

THURSDAY 01 OCTOBER 2026

After an early breakfast at the hotel we will travel by coach to Alnwick Castle. The castle is the main seat of theDuke of Northumberland whose family, the Percys, have lived here since 1309.Surrounded by ‘Capability’ Brown landscape, the medieval castle is furnished in Renaissance style with paintings by Titian, Van Dyck and Canaletto, fine furniture and a collection of china. We will have a private guided tour of the State rooms, followed by time to take lunch and explore the grounds and Alnwick Garden.

This afternoon we will visit Cragside House, Garden and Estate (National Trust) on a free-flow basis. Set in a1,000 acre estate, the house was built for the 19th century innovator, the first Lord Armstrong, and became one of the most modern houses for its time with hot and cold running water, central heating, telephones, a Turkish bath suite and a passenger lift. It was also the first house to be lit by hydro-electricity. We will return to our hotel by coach, and the evening will be at leisure.

FRIDAY 02 OCTOBER 2026

After breakfast at the hotel we will travelby coach to Durham, where we will meet our local guide to embark on a walking tour. Our tour will include a visit to Durham Cathedral. The focalpoint of the city, the Cathedral owes its existence to St. Cuthbert of Lindisfarne. He now lies in his final resting place, under a plain marble slab behind the high altar. Durham is home to one of the largest Norman castles, and was the seat of Durham’s Prince Bishops until 1832. It is also one of the few great Romanesque palaces to survive in England. Our guide will take us on a guided tour of the Cathedral, followed by free time to take lunch.

This afternoon we will travel by coach to Barnard Castle for a guided tour of the Bowes Museum. The building was purpose built by John and Josephine Bowes who indulged their passion for the arts, the culmination of which is the magnificent collection that exists today. This stunning French style château contains the largest collection of French paintings in the country, as well as textiles, ceramics and fine furniture.

We will return to our hotel in Newcastle by coach. Dinner will be taken together in a local restaurant.

SATURDAY 03 OCTOBER 2026

We will checkout of the hotel after an early breakfast and travel by coach to Chesterfield for a free-flow visit of Hardwick Hall (National Trust). A late16th century ‘prodigy house’ designed by Robert Smythson for Bess of Hardwick, the house contains contemporary furniture, tapestries and needlework including pieces identified in an inventory of 1601. There will be time at leisure to explore the house and garden and to take lunch.

We will continue the journey homeward, with a comfort stop en route, arriving in the evening.

Please note that as this tour has been planned many months in advance, the final itinerary may vary slightly from the above.

Tour Price

£1,160 per person sharing a twin/double room

£240 single supplement

PRICE INCLUDES

Executive coach travel throughout

4 nights' bed and breakfast accommodation in Newcastle

2 dinners

Services of a local Blue Badge Guide for 2 full days Guided tour of Haddon Hall

Guided tour the Staterooms at Alnwick Castle Guided tour of The Bowes Museum Gratuities

Donation to Arts4Kent

All entrance charges and booking fees(excluding National Trust properties)

Please note that entrance charges to National Trust properties are not included as these are free of charge to National Trust members upon production of a valid membership card.

HOTEL DETAILS

Hotel Indigo Newcastle (4 star)

2/8 Fenkle Street

Newcastle-upon-Tyne, NE1 5XU

FINANCIAL PROTEC TION

ABTOT provides protection for your booking asset out in the Financial Protection clause of our Booking Conditions

MINIMUM NUMBERS

The price of the tour is based on a minimum of 20 paying participants.

OPTIONAL TRAVEL INSURANCE

Travel insurance is not mandatory for the UK, but we strongly recommend that you have adequate insurance in place to cover any COVID-related issues. We have arranged a scheme with specialists Brokersure Limited who are fully authorised and regulated by the FCA (firm reference number 501719) full details of which can be found on the FCA website www.fca.org.uk.Please call Brokersure on 0330 880 3625 for a quote.

PAYMENT DETAILS

A deposit of £325 per person is due as soon as possible and no later than Friday 10 April 2026. Please note that as places on the tour are limited, bookings will be accepted on a ‘first come, first served’ basis. The final balance will be due by Monday 06 July 2026.

BOOKING & FINAL TRAVEL DETAILS

To reserve your place on the tour, please send your completed booking form and deposit to Heritage Group Travel.

PLEASE CONTACT JANE JOHNSON FOR A BOOKING FORM jane.beaugie@me.com 07818 361029

You will receive a confirmation of your booking combined with an invoice for the final balance. The final travel details (itinerary, hotel details and luggage label) will be available approximately 10-14 days prior to travel.

Heritage  Group Travel, Charlotte House, 12 Charlotte Street Bath,BA1 2NE

Tel: 01225 466620 www.grouptravel.co.uk