Venture into the North

- 11 Days -
From £2050 per person, Dinner Bed & Breakfast

A dramatic journey to stir the soul

Our route begins in Scotland's historic capital Edinburgh, taking you through the magnificent hills of the border country and along its coastline draped in rich history. Head into Northumbria and discover Hadrian’s Wall. Learn more about our past of conquering Roman and even Viking invaders in the ancient city of York. Head west into the romance and soft rolling hills of the Yorkshire dales before venturing into the lake and mountainscapes of the Lake District, arguably England’s greatest National Park and home to some of the countries most acclaimed chefs. Complete your trip by taking a magnificent drive through rolling glens, breath-taking lochs and scenic coastline to your Scottish fairy tale in the southern Ayrshire countryside.

At a glance

  • A journey through Northern England and Southern Scotland laced with colourful history
  • Experience the finest medieval abbeys, castles and cities in Europe
  • Learn about Roman and Viking invaders of these lands and their legacy
  • Experience the Pennines, explore the Northumbria, Yorkshire Dales and Lake District National Parks
  • Stay in historic country house hotels and intimate inns in the most scenic of countryside settings
  • Taste delicious food that showcases regional dish specialties and the best local ingredients

Day 1 & 2

Edinburgh

Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland since the 15th century is a World Heritage Site that begs to be discovered. A beautiful town built amongst rocky hills and crags is filled with quirky charm and enticing nooks that tempt you to explore. Start at Holyrood Palace, the official residence of Kings and Queens since the 16th Century. Stroll the Old Town’s picturesque jumble of medieval tenements piled high along the Royal Mile. Discover Edinburgh Castle and its many treasures, a royal fortress since the 12th century, which dominates the townscape from its position on Castle Rock. Seek out the characterful old world subterranean drinking dens and street life. A city of high culture, art and literature, each summer the world's biggest arts festival draws people from far and wide.

Day 3

Scottish Borders & Northumbria

The Scottish Borders is a beautiful region of rolling hills and hidden seaside villages. Admire the ancient coastal town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, a walled town sitting on the estuary. Marvel at Bamburgh Castle, one of the most dramatic in the whole of England. Take a boat trip from the harbour village of Seahouses to the Farne Islands, to witness their spectacular wildlife habitats. Find beautiful 13th and 14th century abbeys at Melrose, Jedburgh, Dryburgh and in the town of Kelso. Cross the Cheviot Hills into the Northumbria National Park and follow the route of ancient cattle drovers. Explore the 73 mile Hadrian’s Wall built in the 2nd century by the Romans, one of their greatest engineering projects. Relive a Roman past at the Housesteads fort where up to 800 troops would have been based, or the ruined auxiliary fort of Vindolanda and nearby Chesterholm Museum.

Day 4 & 5

York

No trip up North is complete without visiting one of the great cities of the medieval world. Its circle of ancient walls encloses a spider's web of narrow streets lively with chic cafes, fancy boutiques, art galleries and traditional pubs. At its heart the soaring pinnacles of York Minster, the finest Gothic Cathedral in northern Europe. Discover the cities rich Roman, Viking and Medieval history in one of its many museums or find out more about the countries industrial revolution at the extraordinary railway museum also located here. A short distance outside the city you can discover the elegant Baroque façade of Castle Howard one of the grandest country houses in England. The landscaped gardens are astounding and there is plenty to discover including a magnificent mausoleum and the impressive Temple of the Four Winds.

Day 6 & 7

Yorkshire Dales

The Yorkshire Dales offers some of the finest scenery in the UK. Explore its unique lush green valleys criss-crossed with white drystone walls built by sheep farmers from long ago. Its towering limestone cliffs, gorges, and dramatic waterfalls hidden in deep wooded ravines offer plenty of opportunities to escape. Be inspired by the riverside beauty of Bolton Abbey in Wharfedale, like artists Turner and Ruskin. Ancient Fountains Abbey, the finest Cistercian monastic ruin in Europe is framed by elegant Georgian water gardens making it one of a kind and a World Heritage Site. Its riverside lawns a perfect spot to picnic. Sample ‘Old Peculiar’ ale at Theakston Brewery. Founded in 1827, it is one of Britain’s oldest established family brewing companies. Visit the quaint towns of Wensleydale, famed for its cheese, and the 14th-century stronghold Bolton Castle, that imprisoned Mary Queen of Scots.

Day 8 & 9

Cumbria & The Lake District

Cumbria contains the Lake District National Park, a World Heritage Site considered one of England's most outstanding areas of natural beauty. This most romantic of landscapes is laced with beautiful lakes, unspoilt shorelines and lofty peaks. Take a spectacular cruise on Lake Windermere wrapped by magnificent mountain scenery, secluded bays and the many wooded islands. Visit poet William Wordsworth's family’s home Rydal Mount or Beatrix Potters idyllic Hill Top farmhouse. Walk a lakeside trek or for the real adventurer head west to the stark beauty of Wasdale and the challenge of Scafell Peak, England's highest mountain. Take time to explore the timeless views and Roman history of Eskdale. Hard Knott Roman Fort, built between AD120 and AD138 must have been one of the loneliest outposts of the Roman Empire.

Day 10 & 11

Galloway & Ayrshire

Explore the awesome coastal route of South West Scotland. Find the delightful towns and villages along the Solway Coast to the Mull of Galloway – Scotland`s most southerly point. Be rewarded with magnificent views of the surrounding hills, lakeland fells, the Isle of Man and even the Mountains of Mourne across the Irish Sea. Trek the rolling Galloway glens and hills to discover the picturesque forest trails and breath-taking lochs with a long and colourful history. Visit the magnificent gardens at Castle Kennedy sited on a narrow piece of land between two lochs and two castles. Walk the famous sandy shores of the spectacular Ayrshire coastal path with its world famous Open Championship golf courses. Take a boat trip to the dramatic Mull of Kintyre, a place so beautiful that Sir Paul McCartney wrote a song about it.

All of our itineraries are designed around you, so please remember that this is just a suggestion which can be tailored into something completely bespoke to you and your preferences.

Call us today on +44 (0)1646 405060 to start planning your holiday.