Name: Northumberland Discovery Tour 2024
Brand: DHTour
SKU: 1
Price: $2,640 pp
Availability: InStock

Northumberland Discovery Tour: 7 nights based at Nether Grange, Alnmouth, Alnwick, Northumberland

Contact DHTour at 1-888-597-3519 or 905-639-9954 or dhtour@dhtour.ca to book.

This Northumberland Discovery Tour lines up some of the region’s standout highlights. Explore the mighty castles of Bamburgh and Warkworth, find out about Roman Britain at award-winning museums and visitor attractions along Hadrian’s Wall, and take a boat trip around the Farne Islands – home to nesting birds and a thriving grey seal colony. You’ll also have the chance to follow in the footsteps of England’s first Christian pilgrims with a journey to Lindisfarne, also known as Holy Island.

Tour Details

Highlights:

Exploring the mighty Bamburgh Castle
Journeying to the Holy Island of Lindisfarne like the pilgrims of old
Learning about Roman Britain at Hadrian’s Wall
Experiencing a wildlife-spotting boat trip around the Farne Islands
Spending time in the historic market town of Alnwick
Staying at a former 18th century granary in the heart of Alnmouth

Pick Up Location & TIme

Nether Grange, Alnmouth, Alnwick, Northumberland NE66 2RZ (Google Map)
4:00pm – You’re welcome to check into the country house hotel from 4pm onwards.

Drop off Location & Time

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before making your way onward.

Price Includes

High quality en-suite upgraded accommodation at Nether Grange
Excellent food in our country house, full board (B,L,D daily)
The services of our knowledgeable leader, ensuring you get the most from your holiday
Full-day excursions with all transport on touring days in a good-quality, comfortable mini-coach

Meals

All meals from dinner on arrival day, to breakfast on departure day

7 breakfasts
6 lunches
7 dinners
1 tea

Price Excludes

Airfare
Transfers
Pre / Post hotel nights
Travel to/from the Country Hotel (The nearest railway station is Alnmouth)
Admissions (please allow approx. £20 per day for entrances)
Driver / Tour Leader gratuity is at your discretion
Travel Insurance

What to Expect

Unpack Once!

Explore places of interest, beauty, heritage and wonder. Enjoy active guided sightseeing on relaxed-pace trips to revel in the history, landscapes, architecture and culture of your chosen destination. Our knowledgeable leaders will provide fascinating detail to bring it all to life. Travel between locations by mini-coach or public transport following a carefully planned itinerary.

Accommodation at a country house hotel
Full Board Meals – from dinner on arrival day to breakfast on departure day
Knowledgeable leader
Transport between locations

All our carefully-curated itineraries are designed by our experts. While we make every effort to adhere to the described itinerary, we may take alternative routes or adapt the running order for weather and/or operational reasons.

On each Discovery day, you will be walking roughly 3-5 miles (5-8km) throughout the course of the day as you explore the venues and locations we visit. You’ll also be hopping on and off the coach throughout – you should expect to spend the majority of the day on your feet. Most of this walking will be at attractions but some may be across country tracks or footpaths so be sure to bring sturdy shoes. There will also be stairs to climb in the majority of the venues you visit, though other more accessible options may be available. At some venues, there may also be uneven surfaces, such as cobbles or rocky paths.

Itinerary

Day 1Arrival Day

You’re welcome to check in from 4pm onwards where you’ll have a complimentary cream tea to tuck in to. (D, T)

Accommodation: Nether Grange

Day 2Cragside & Alnwick

A visit to the Lord Armstrong’s magnificent estate, famous for being the first house in the world to be lit by hydraulic electricity. The house is surrounded by gorgeous gardens and woods and has over 30 miles of footpaths and lakeside walks. There are five lakes, a large rock garden and around seven million trees and shrubs including some made into a rhododendron maze.

This afternoon we spend time in Alnwick where the choice is yours of what you wish to explore. There’s magnificent Alnwick Castle (also home to the Fusiliers museum), the award winning Alnwick Gardens, the Bailiffgate Museum, or quirky Barter books, as well as Hulne Park, or the town’s coffee and craft shops to choose from. (B, L, D)

Accommodation: Nether Grange

Day 3Hadrian's Wall

Transport yourself back 2,000 years with our visit to the World Heritage site of Hadrian’s Wall. Our journey takes us along almost half its length, visiting its top visitor attractions to give us an insight to the stories and histories of this UNESCO World Heritage site.

Our first stop is a visit to the Roman Army museum, with the option of heading into Walltown Country Park if you want to stretch your legs and see the Wall up close. We then visit the fascinating archaeological site of Vindolanda. This is an active archaeological site so you’ll see ongoing research and conservation first hand, as well as experiencing world class visitor displays at the museum on site. (B, L, D)

Accommodation: Nether Grange

Day 4Free day

A free day for you to explore the local area or to relax in the Country House. Our Discovery Points help you make the most out of your free day. There’s plenty of maps and a selection of the best local walking routes, as well as weather forecasts and public transport options – plus details about other places to visit. (B, L, D)

Accommodation: Nether Grange

Day 5Warkworth & Wallington

A short drive takes us to the attractive village of Warkworth where we can visit Warkworth Castle, the Hermitage, or take a stroll and explore this characterful village. The castle walls give us great views over the river Coquet and the surrounding coast. Discover the castle’s links to the Percy family, Harry Hotspur, and William Shakespeare.

In the afternoon we visit the beautiful Wallington estate. The great house has many stories to tell and the grounds and gardens are the perfect place to spend an afternoon exploring. Keep your eyes peeled for red squirrels, there’s a good chance of spotting them from the hide. (B, L, D)

Accommodation: Nether Grange

Day 6Lindisfarne & Bamburgh

Today will be the highlight of the trip for many. At low tide, we cross the narrow causeway to the Holy Island of Lindisfarne. The island was one of the most important centres for early Christianity in Anglo-Saxon England. There are a number of things to do on the island so we’ve left the itinerary open, so you can spend your time as you wish. Options include visiting the castle, priory, mead centre, nature reserve, cafes and craft shops.

Following our visit, we head to beautiful Bamburgh, with it’s historic castle, glorious beaches, café and craft shops. Discover the story of the Bamburgh Bones, the heroism of Bamburgh local – Grace Darling, and savour the many local delicacies with a coffee stop or two. (B, L, D)

Please note that the order of this day may be reversed due to tide times.

Accommodation: Nether Grange

Day 7Farne Islands & Dunstanburgh

A morning sailing from Seahouses takes us to the wildlife rich Farne Islands. We spend 1-2hours sailing around the islands, spotting some of its many nesting birds and it’s thriving colony of Grey seals (an estimated 3-4 thousand seals make their home on the islands).

We end the day at Craster, where there’s the option to stretch your legs with a gentle walk along the shore towards Dunstanburgh Castle, time to visit the castle itself, or to explore the galleries or celebrate in style with a cuppa or something stronger at the welcoming Jolly Fisherman Inn. (B, L, D)

Accommodation: Nether Grange

Day 8Departure Day

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before making your way home. (B)

Dates and Prices

Departure Dates	Per person (single or twin)	Single in a double room
2024: April 26	$2,870	$3,150
2024: June 21	$2,870	$3,150
2024: October 18	$2,640	$2,920

Pricing

Pricing is per person (pp) based on single/twin/double occupancy.

Supplement applied for single in a double room.

Rates include room upgrade (premium) and membership fees.

Rates are in $ CAD.

Contact DHTour at 1-888-597-3519 or 905-639-9954 or dhtour@dhtour.ca to book.

Ask us for the best available pricing for your dates & choice of airline. We can assist in your travel to/from the Country House.

During your Discovery Tour you’ll have the opportunity to visit many fascinating places. The following is our provisional programme, and your leader may adjust it at their discretion, taking into account factors such as weather, local opening times, or other events. This holiday includes active sightseeing and you should expect to spend lots of time on your feet.

Most admissions to places of interest are not included. Please allow up to £20 per day for admissions to all the places of interest we will be visiting. The full adult price is given but there are usually good reductions for parties and seniors. If you are a member of the National Trust, English Heritage or similar, remember to bring your card for free admission to their properties. Please bring cash as card machines are not always available at all venues.

Sometimes things happen beyond our control – the weather, traffic jams or changes at the places we visit. If we need to adjust your holiday programme, for whatever reason, your leader will help smooth the way.

Travel Details:
Address is: Nether Grange, Alnmouth, Alnwick, Northumberland NE66 2RZ

By Rail:
The nearest railway station is Alnmouth, on the main line between Newcastle and Edinburgh.

By Taxi:
The 1½-mile journey from Alnmouth railway station takes approximately 5 minutes. You can pre-book a taxi from our recommended taxi company, Knight’s Taxis. As a guide price, it cost £6 per 4-seat taxi in 2019. 8-seat taxis are also available at a higher rate. Please pre-book your taxi at least 7 days in advance by contacting:

Knight’s Taxis*
Tel: +44 (0) 7760 751667
Email: info@knightstaxi.com
The return taxi journey can be arranged on your behalf by the Nether Grange Manager.
*Knight’s Taxis is not owned or managed by us.

By Car:
Take the A1 to Alnwick. Exit on the A1068 heading towards Alnwick. At the roundabout turn right (not well signed) and follow the A1068 towards Alnmouth. After 2¾ miles go straight ahead at the first roundabout then left at the second roundabout onto the B1338. Cross a bridge as you approach Alnmouth, turning right at the next roundabout, then almost immediatley left into The Wynd. Follow the one way system into Marine Road, passing the golf clubhouse on the left, and round into Northumberland Street. After 100yds turn right into the narrow Pease’s Lane. Nether Grange is on the left. Please note that Nether Grange does not have a car park, there is very limited on-street parking available on a first come basis. You can park in available slots on Marine Road, Pease’s Lane and elsewhere in town. There is a pay and display car park at the end of Marine Road.

Hotel Descriptions

Nether Grange

Sitting pretty in the centre of the quiet harbour village of Alnmouth, Nether Grange stands in an area rich in natural beauty and historic gravitas. There are moving views of the dramatic North Sea coastline from the house too. This one-time 18th century granary was first converted into a large family home for the High Sheriff of Northumberland in the 19th century and then reimagined as a characterful hikers’ hotel. Many of the 36 bedrooms look out across the sea, while a large lounge, conservatory and adjoining bar are there to entertain you. Easily accessible from the house are the coast path while inland lies the Northumberland National Park. North are the Farne Islands and their spectacular seabird colonies and close by is Lindisfarne and its romantic castle accessible at low-tide via an ancient pilgrim’s path. Nearby too is the medieval market town of Alnwick and its eponymous castle, as well as the atmospheric ruins of Dunstanburgh Castle, perched on a grassy peninsula to the south of Embbelton Bay. Best of all though is Bamburgh Castle, built to resemble a magnificent medieval fortress but actually an impressive Victorian folly.

Address: Nether Grange, Alnmouth, Alnwick, Northumberland NE66 2RZ

Room Amenities: Tea & coffee-making facilities, TV, Hairdryer, Toiletries, Wi-Fi

Stay in one of the house’s smartly presented rooms up an impressive sweeping staircase. Full of warm tones or coastal colours and comfy touches they’re a great base for exploring the area. With 36 bedrooms, Nether Grange has plenty of space and there’s a range of ‘Classic’ and ‘Premium’ Rooms to choose from.

Premium Rooms are more spacious en-suite guest rooms. Amenities include free Wi-Fi, tea and coffee-making facilities, toiletries (hand wash, shampoo, body lotion, shower gel), and a 32-inch TV. Extras include bathrobes, slippers, and comfortable mattresses.

Hotel Amenities: Free Wi-Fi, boot room and drying room, extensive garden, multi-purpose activity room, lounges, library and board games to borrow

After a day walking on the coast, come back to the house and its specially tailored walkers’ facilities. Relax by sitting in the elevated terrace gardens with a cooling drink and a cracking sea view or challenge a fellow guest to a game of croquet or giant chess, backed by views of the beach and sea beyond. The spick and span sky-blue painted bar with its mismatched blue and stripy seats boasts all the requisite cosiness and British bonhomie, plus a selection of local beers and your favourite tipple. Settle in.

Map

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