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British Heritage Travel Magazine
British Heritage Travel Magazine - Experience Yorkshire:
A Regional Discovery
The beautiful Yorkshire countryside provides the perfect backdrop for exploring the county’s rich history. Famous for its Roman and Viking heritage, Yorkshire is also studded with Norman castles, medieval abbeys, Industrial Revolution-era cities and two national parks. The fascinating county town of York, founded by the Romans, is home to 13th-century cathedral York Minster, Tudor houses and medieval walls.
What’s Included
- Group airport transfers from London Heathrow*
- 2 nights at the Jurys Inn, Watford
- 4 nights at the Middletons Hotel, York
- Full English breakfast
- 3-course table d’hôte dinner on the first evening in York
- Services of a tour director throughout your stay
- Travel to and from all excursions
- All entrance costs
- Porterage
*supplement applies for transfers from all other airports
On arrival at Heathrow airport, you will be transferred to the Jurys Inn Hotel in Watford where we stay overnight. The evening is left free to make your own dinner arrangements.
As we travel north, we make a stop in the historic city of Lincoln. Famed for holding one of only four surviving copies of the Magna Carta, Lincoln Castle has dominated the local skyline for almost a thousand years. Built by William the Conqueror in 1068, on a site occupied since Roman times, the castle features dramatic medieval walls, towers and dungeons while inside the walls is a Victorian prison.
Next we visit Lincoln Cathedral. Built in 1088, for over 200 years the cathedral could claim to be the tallest building in the world until the central spire collapsed. One of Europe’s finest Gothic buildings, the cathedral is filled with intricate detail and beautiful medieval decoration.
We then travel on to the Middletons Hotel in York where we enjoy a three-course dinner together.
We enjoy a guided tour of York. The city is steeped in history, from its founding by the Romans in 71AD to its wealth as a medieval wool trading centre and there is plenty of evidence of this fascinating past left to admire, from the Roman city walls to the surviving medieval streets known as the Shambles. After our tour, there will be time to explore some of the many fascinating museums, galleries and attractions that the city has to offer before we pay an afternoon visit to the iconic York Minster, the second largest Gothic cathedral in northern Europe.
The evening is free for you to make your own dinner arrangements.
This morning we visit Middleham Castle, situated on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales. Dating back to the late 12th century, the castle passed to the powerful Neville family who held the castle until the late 15th century. However, the castle is most famous as being the childhood home of King Richard III. Although roofless, extensive remains of the fortified palace still survive.
Set in 126 acres of beautiful parkland, Jervaulx Abbey was once one of the great Cistercian abbeys of Yorkshire. Founded in 1146, the abbey suffered under King Henry VIII’s Dissolution of the Monasteries in the 16th century, creating the charming and atmospheric ruin we see today, with wild flowers and plants growing amongst the many nooks and crannies.
We return to our hotel via Thirsk, a traditional Yorkshire market town. Thirsk was also the home of renowned vet and author, James Herriot.
The evening is left free to explore York at leisure and choose a restaurant for dinner.
Designed by Sir John Vanbrugh, Castle Howard has twice appeared as Brideshead in film and television adaptations of Evelyn Waugh’s classic novel. Home to the Howard family for over 300 years, this magnificent 18th-century residence offers world-renowned collections and stunning architecture, all set within 1,000 acres of breathtaking scenery with idyllic gardens, woodland and lakeside walks.
We return to our hotel via Malton, one of Yorkshire’s most renowned foodie destinations, set on the edge of the North York Moors. This pretty market town is famed for its food festivals, local produce, restaurants, cafés and food market.
The evening is free for you to make your own dinner arrangements.
Leaving York, we head south, stopping en-route to visit Chatsworth House. This magnificent pile is home to the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire and has witnessed sixteen generations of the powerful Cavendish family. Grandiose interiors and a superlative art collection make Chatsworth easily one of Britain’s most significant houses. The 100 acres of garden include the famous 300-year-old cascade and enormous Emperor Fountain. Chatsworth also appeared as Pemberley in the film Pride and Prejudice.
In the late afternoon, we arrive back at the Jurys Inn in Watford, with the evening free for you to make your own dinner arrangements.
You will be transferred back to Heathrow airport for your return flight home.
What’s Included
- Group airport transfers from London Heathrow*
- 2 nights at the Jurys Inn, Watford
- 4 nights at the Middletons Hotel, York
- Full English breakfast
- 3-course table d’hôte dinner on the first evening in York
- Services of a tour director throughout your stay
- Travel to and from all excursions
- All entrance costs
- Porterage
*supplement applies for transfers from all other airports
Jurys Inn, Watford
The Jurys Inn is conveniently located in the centre of Watford. The stylish bedrooms feature flat screen TV with Freeview and spacious bathrooms. The hotel also offers a contemporary bar and restaurant.
Middletons Hotel, York
The Middletons Hotel is a collection of six listed buildings situated around a secluded courtyard in the heart of York city centre. The individually decorated rooms feature free Wi-Fi, TV and tea and coffee-making facilities. The hotel offers complimentary access to a fitness centre with a gym and indoor pool. The hotel is just five minutes' walk to the main shopping areas and historic attractions.
