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Contrast
Cumbria, much beloved by Wordsworth and others for its rural beauty,
with the historic capital of Yorkshire, England’s
largest county. Compare the wild grandeur of the lakes and mountains
of the Lake District with the very different skyline of the ancient
City of York, dominated by the majestic Minster, England’s
second largest Cathedral.
This
7-day, two-centred tour enjoys the comfort of 4-star hotels in
both areas. We spend three nights in the splendid Lodore Falls
Hotel, on the edge of Derwent Water, in its own secluded estate
just outside the town and another three nights, in similar luxury,
in the Hilton, York City - overlooking Clifford’s Tower
and a short walk from the Minster, within the historic city walls. |
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Lodore Falls Hotel ****
Tel. 01768 777285
Overlooking Derwent Water, this elegant hotel is set in stunning Lake District scenery- in 40 acre grounds. There are woodland trails and the dramatic Lodore Falls is nearby. |
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Hilton York City ****
Tel. 01904 648111
Situated right in the centre of the historic York, beside Clifford's Tower - a perfect base from which to explore the city on foot. |
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Day
1 - Sunday
We leave Belfast on the mid-day HSS and travel to the Lake District. We pass
through Cockermouth and along the edge of Bassenthwaite, the most northern of
the ‘Lakes’, on our way to our first hotel just outside Keswick. |
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Day 2 - Monday
After a leisurely breakfast, with time for a walk in the hotel’s
extensive grounds, we travel the short distance to Grasmere. We visit
Dove Cottage and then continue south to Ambleside where we have some
free time before returning to our hotel. A relaxing first day in
the Lake District.
Day 3 - Tuesday
Immediately after breakfast this morning we travel south to visit
the county’s
premier stately home, Holker Hall and Gardens.
Afterwards we drive down to Newby Bridge and Lakeside where we take
a steam boat ride on Lake Windermere, as far as Bowness-on-Windermere,
where we have a little time to explore before returning north, to
our hotel.
Day
4 - Wednesday
We leave Cumbria and the Lakes today and ‘cross the border’ into
the “White Rose County”, travelling through the Yorkshire Dales National
Park, along Wensleydale and into the city of York and our hotel within the ancient
walls. |
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Day
5 - Thursday
A free day in York City with all the attractions just a short walk away. Stroll
through the “Shambles” to
the Minster and back along the edge of the river Ouse, calling perhaps at the “Viking
City of Jorvik” and maybe the shops - a relaxing day with no travelling.
Day 6 - Friday
This morning we leave the city and make the 15 mile journey towards the Moors
to visit the fabulous Castle Howard, of ‘Brideshead Revisited’ fame.
We spend a relaxing few hours here at one of Britain’s finest historic
houses with time to enjoy the magnificent gardens before returning to York
- in time for some last minute shopping or to squeeze in another visit.
After dinner,
on this our last evening, we discover the magic of Ancient York,
in the capable hands of an eloquent storyteller, on a Ghost Cruise
on the River Ouse.
Day 7 - Saturday
Our journey home today takes us north between the Moors and the Dales through “Herriot
Country”. Alf Wight, author of the James Herriot Vet stories, spent his
working life in Thirsk, the inspiration for the fictional Darrowby, in his
stories of life as a country vet and we make a slight detour at the beginning
of our last day to visit “The World of James Herriot”.
We then proceed
to Stranraer where we catch the evening HSS back to Belfast, arriving
at the Europa Buscentre around 9.45pm. |
