Day 1: Following your collection by our door to door taxi service you will join our luxury tour coach as we head north to Northumbria and our hotel for the next 4 nights, the 3 star White Swan in Alnwick, on a dinner bed and breakfast basis.
Day 2: We enjoy a relaxing morning to explore our base of Alnwick. Here you can marvel at the beauty of Alnwick Castle, or maybe head to Bailiffgate Museum & Gallery, which holds over 10,000 years of history in its charming stone walls. Just a short walk through Alnwick’s winding cobbled streets and past the archway of Bondgate Tower, the only remaining chunk of the town walls, will take you to Barter Books. Settle into an armchair and grab yourself a coffee as you immerse yourself in the literary world while toy trains chug above you. (attractions in Alnwick subject to individual choice and payment)
This afternoon we travel to Wooler to visit Ad Gefrin. This new attraction showcases life at an Anglo-Saxon Royal Court. The immersive museum features a great hall, original artefacts and tells the stories of the people who made up the Royal Court. Following our visit to the museum, we enjoy a guided tour and tasting in the distillery. Barley strains dating back to the Anglo-Saxon times are used in the distilling process to recreate a heritage whisky of this area.
Day 3: After a leisurely breakfast we travel to the resort of Seahouses on the North Northumberland Heritage Coast. This colourful fishing village has a bustling harbour, a number of shops, and some of the best ‘takeaway’ fish and chips in Northumberland.
At midday we make our way to the harbour to board for a 2-hour cruise around the Farne Islands. The boat trip offers the chance to see a variety of wildlife including puffins, Guillemots, Shags, Cormorants, Kittiwakes, Arctic Terns, Razorbills and Eider Ducks. You may also see the grey seal colony basking on the rocks.
The cruise is also a chance to view the magnificent scenery of the islands and Northumberland’s iconic coastline and learn of Grace Darling’s life-saving heroics during their heroic rescue in 1838.
A full commentary is given en route and the knowledgeable Skipper and Crew are available to answer any questions.
(Please note: the cruise is subject to weather conditions, and wildlife encounters cannot be guaranteed. Please wrap up warm as it can be cold offshore)
Day 4: Today’s excursion takes us across the causeway to Holy Island and the mysterious Lindisfarne (Holy Island), the birthplace of British Christianity. Holy Island is a pint-sized island that holds pubs and cafés a-plenty, Lindisfarne Castle and ancient Lindisfarne Priory (attractions today are subject to individual choice and payment). Words cannot describe the magic of The Holy Island of Lindisfarne, particularly as you cross the causeway, admiring staggering views as you go, and feel as though you are entering a secret world as you approach the island.
NOTE: The crossing of the causeway to Holy Island is governed by tide times. It may be necessary to amend this excursion.
Later, we visit Bamburgh for free time. As the royal capital of the ancient kingdom of Northumbria, spell-binding Bamburgh holds a history worth discovering. All the while, awe-inspiring Bamburgh Castle will be your backdrop, and you can wander down the main street, past Bamburgh's cafes and towards the village’s landmark red phone box for an especially staggering and scenic view.
Day 5: Sadly this morning it’s time to bid farewell to our hotel and head back to Norfolk making suitable stops en route. Upon arrival our taxi service will be waiting to return you home.
Holiday Information:
4 Nights Dinner, Bed & Breakfast (Dinner will be table service)
Price: £825pp
Single Supplement: £142 (Will be allocated a twin or double room for sole occupancy, depending on availability)
Tour Reference: AWE5119
Deposit Required: £50pp
Balance Due: 8 weeks prior to departure