York, Lake District & Hadrian’s Wall 2024

Today you can decide what you want to do.

You can choose to spend the day exploring the medieval heart of York; an ancient city with a colourful history dating back to the times of the Romans, Vikings, and Normans. There’s much to see and do: you can visit a chocolate museum, find out about the Vikings, or even just stroll around the ancient walls.

Alternatively, you can journey out with your guide on a half-day excursion to the magnificent North York Moors National Park. Your next stop is Whitby, a bustling fishing port and inspiration for the imagination of Bram Stoker, who stayed here in a hotel while writing his famous novel Dracula.
After lunch and free time in Whitby, you travel to the fishing village of Robin Hood’s Bay*; They doubt if the real Robin Hood ever came here, but there are still plenty of smugglers tales dotted around this remarkable harbour village. You then return to York in the early evening.
Whichever option you choose, you spend your evening enjoying the sights and sounds of York. (B)

*Robin Hood’s Bay – The mini-coach cannot access the main village because of local restrictions. The coach will drop you off at the top of the village and you must walk down (and back up!) a steep hill to reach the old village centre.

You’re picked up from your accommodation and head west into the heart of the Yorkshire Dales National Park. Established in 1954, the Yorkshire Dales National Park has outstanding scenery, a range of wildlife habitats and rich cultural heritage. It’s a special place – a fantastic outdoor arena for recreation and relaxation and a haven for wildlife.

Continuing west, the route takes you through the Northern Dales – the centre of the Dales cattle trade.
The final leg of today’s journey takes you high up into the remote hills of the Yorkshire Dales before descending into the lively market town of Keswick* where you’re dropped off at your accommodation and have free time to explore this charming town (B)

(*Please note all tours that depart in July will stay in Bowness-on-Windermere instead of Keswick.)

After breakfast, you head a short distance out of town to the mysterious Castlerigg standing stones. Many people think these were placed here over 5,000 years ago and were once a lively hub of ancient pagan rituals.

You then travel on to the shores of Ullswater, known as England’s most beautiful lake. Here, you can take a forest walk to see the mighty Aira Force waterfall. Continuing south over the narrow and winding Kirkstone Pass, you stop at Lake Windermere where you have the option to take a leisurely cruise on the lake or simply eat lunch while enjoying views of the mountains and lakes.

After lunch, you travel around the southern tip of Windermere and on towards the picturesque conservation village of Hawkshead, where the poet William Wordsworth attended Grammar School.

After free time to explore the village, you take the narrow country lanes north towards Grasmere, which Wordsworth described as “the loveliest spot that man hath found”. There’s free time to visit Wordsworth’s Dove Cottage, taste the legendary gingerbread, or enjoy the peace and tranquillity of the Wordsworth Daffodil Garden by the River Rothy.

In the late afternoon, you return to Keswick. (B)

Leaving the lakes behind, you start the climb towards Hartside Pass, at over 1,900ft. On a clear day, the hills and mountains of Scotland and the English Lake District are clearly visible. You follow the route of the old sheep drovers between England and Scotland.

Stopping at Hadrian’s Wall, there’s an opportunity to explore some of the Roman remains and walk in the footsteps of the Roman Centurions who patrolled this desolate frontier of the Empire. You then travel along the ancient Roman Dere Street, cross the border into Scotland, and head to the border town of Jedburgh for refreshments by the ruins of Jedburgh Abbey.

Your final stop is at the world-famous Scott’s View with stunning views over the River Tweed and the Cheviot Hills before continuing north to Edinburgh. (B)