THE SPIRIT OF YORKSHIRE AND THE LAKE DISTRICT

Discover the Hidden Treasures of the North of England

2010

 

Sunday

 

  • Leave DFW on the 1:00 pm flight to Manchester via Chicago.

Monday

 

 
  • Our driver will be waiting and ready to whisk us away from the airport to the clear air of the glorious Yorkshire Dales.
  • We will stop for lunch at Castle Howard, the beautiful setting for the film Brideshead Revisited.  The gardens are famous for their many varieties of rhododendrons.  This is the time of year to enjoy the first blossoms.  A leisurely walk through this elegant house and garden will set the tone for the days to come.
  • The Feversham Arms Hotel in the heart of the charming village of Helmsley will be our home for the next three nights.  This evening we will have an early dinner, and so to bed.

Tuesday

 

 

 
  • We set out today to explore the fascinating city of York.  Aside from its magnificent Minster, York has buildings of architectural significance dating from the time of the Romans.  You can shop your way through the medieval Shambles, the Tudor, the Georgian and the Victorian streets!  Our guide will show us through this lovely old city and leave you with time to explore on your own.     If you are looking for more information, the Castle Museum is a fount of knowledge about the history of this ancient city and the Jorvik Museum tells of the Viking presence from long ago.
  • For those who wish we will end the day with a special guided tour of the Minster.   Evensong, sung by the Minster choir, is a fitting end to a glorious day in York.
  • Return to Helmsley for a relaxed dinner.

Wednesday

 
  • A pretty drive this morning will take us to Burton Agnes, today’s destination.  There are eight acres of varied English gardens to explore, including a maze and a large collection of hardy plants.  The Head gardener will be on hand to answer your questions. The Elizabethan manor house contains four centuries of treasures.  
  • To round off a full day we will take the coastal route back to Helmsley stopping at Flamborough Head to see the Lighthouse and an amazing colony of seabirds. 
  • Dinner at a very ancient pub with a Michelin acclaimed restaurant on the way back to Helmsley. 

Thursday

 
  • This morning we leave Helmsley for Newby Hall.  The hall is a brilliant example of Robert Adams’s creativity.  You may recognize the setting for the TV adaption of Jane Austen's book Mansfield Park.  We will be greeted by a family member and given a very special tour of this beautiful home followed by an introduction to the gardens by the head gardener.   
  • Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Gardens are close by.  This World Heritage site is not to be missed.  We have a delightful guide to show us round, I hope that you will find this a mystical experience as the evening draws in.
  • We will spend the next three nights at the Hotel du Vin, the heart of Harrogate.  Dine at the hotel.

Friday

 
  • This will be a day of choices after a guided tour of Harrogate.  Perhaps you would like to visit Harlow Carr, the Royal Horticultural Society headquarters for the North of England.  These are spectacular Gardens a source of inspiration for all.
  • Maybe you would prefer a relaxing massage.  If this is your idea of heaven then you are in the right place.  Take yourself off to the Turkish Baths and Health Spa- scene of high society regeneration for hundreds of years.
  • For others the call of the shops and Betty’s Tearoom will prove irresistible. 
  • The shopping in Harrogate is wide and varied.  Needlework, antiques, cashmere, books and wonderful clothing boutiques –you won’t need a guide, only more time! 
  • Dinner is on your own this evening.  I will be happy to advise you.

 

 

Saturday

 
  • Harewood House has been the home of the Lascelles family for two hundred years.  As a family they have collected a stunning treasury of rare art works worthy of the noble home that houses them.  The family has strong connections with the house of Windsor. After a morning visit you may also have lunch here.
  • York Gate is a Chelsea Flower Show prizewinning garden which I know you will enjoy.  Take the opportunity to talk with the owners about how they planned and designed it.
  • This is our final night at the Hotel du Vin.

Sunday

 
  • We leave Harrogate by way of Hawarth to visit the Parsonage home of the Bronte sisters.  Haworth retains much of its 18th century character.  Both the village and the landscape would be recognized by the Brontes today.  Perhaps you will recognize the settings for many of their books.  I know that you will want to stop by one of the teashops for a bite to eat.          
  • A picturesque drive takes us across the moors to Holehird, a charming garden-lovers paradise which is maintained totally by volunteer gardeners.  The greenhouses are fascinating.
  • Then on to our hotel Miller Howe, where we will stay for the next three nights.  The hotel is perfectly situated overlooking Lake Windermere.  One can walk through the lovely hotel gardens to the waters edge.

Monday

 
  • A day to relax and explore your surroundings.  Miller Howe is a charming comfortable Hotel, and it is very tempting to stay put for the day with a good book. 
  • For the more active a visit to Wordsworth’s home at Rydal Mount to see “a host of golden daffodils.”  Then we follow the Coffin Path down to Dove Cottage where our guide will be waiting to show us around.
  • We will drive on through Keswick to Bassenthwaite where there is a charming little restaurant waiting to feed us lunch!
  • This afternoon we will visit Mire House, a lovely family owned Lakeland house.
  • Dinner at Miller Howe.

Tuesday

 
  • May is the most beautiful month in the Lake District.  The greenhouses are fascinating. 
  • We will drive past fields of lambs frolicking in meadows edged with May blossoms and drive to one of the prettiest lonely lakes, Tarn Howes. 
  • It is a pleasant half-hour walk from here or you can take the coach to where the   steam yacht, Gondola, will ferry us across the lake to Brantwood, the home of John Ruskin.  Ruskin was a leader in the Arts and Crafts movement and there is much to learn from his home and spectacular garden.

Wednesday

 
  • Sadly this is our last day in the Lake District.  We cannot leave without visiting Hill Top Farm, the home of Beatrix Potter and inspiration for many of her books.  For example you can see the doll’s house from A Tale of Three Bad Mice.  Close by is the village of Hawkshead.  Not only Ms Potter but Wordsworth too spent a part of their lives in this picturesque town.  
  • After a happy morning of exploring we drive south through leafy Grizedale Forest to the delightful Elizabethan Manor, Levens Hall.  You will be amused by the imaginative use of topiary in the gardens of this house.
  • Dinner at a favourite restaurant on our way to the Manchester Airport, where we will stay, this last night, at the Radison Hotel.

Thursday

 
  • After breakfast we will depart for Dallas on the 10.30 am flight.

Prices include all lodging, breakfast, lunch and dinner, except where noted.
Per Person, Double Occupancy $4498
Single Supplement $1500
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