York, the Dales, Lake District & Hadrian’s Wall

Overnight York View All

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, renowned for its charming narrow streets, historic cottages, and breathtaking views of the North Sea. They doubt if the real Robin Hood ever came here, but there are still plenty of smugglers’ tales dotted around this remarkable harbour village.

We then return to York in the early evening, and you can decide what you’re going to do. Maybe you’ll fancy taking a ghost tour to uncover the city’s haunted past? Or enjoy a relaxing drink in one of York’s historic pubs? Whether you prefer a quiet evening steeped in history or lively nightlife, York offers something for everyone.

Included Meals Breakfast

Overnight York View All

You’re picked up from your accommodation and head west into 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.

Your driver-guide takes you to some of the hidden gems of the national park, like the romantic ruins of Jervaulx Abbey. Next, you also have an option to immerse yourself in nature on a walk to the dramatic Aysgarth Falls, that featured in the 1991 film Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves. Enjoy breathtaking views of the surrounding Yorkshire Dales landscape as you follow the trail to the three stunning waterfalls cascading over limestone steps.

Food lovers will enjoy visiting Hawes, a charming Yorkshire Dales town and home of Wensleydale cheese. During our lunch stop, explore the Wensleydale Creamery, watch cheese-making in action, and sample its delights. Stroll the cobbled alleys before we journey through scenic countryside, pausing for photos en route to Appleby-in-Westmorland. This historic market town features sandstone cottages and the imposing Appleby Castle, rich with stories of the past. Finally, we enter the Lake District National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where rugged mountains and serene lakes reflect the timeless beauty immortalized by the Lake Poets.

As evening approaches, we arrive in the vibrant market town of Keswick by Derwentwater, where you’ll be dropped off at your accommodation and have free time to explore the charming town. Enjoy a stroll around Derwentwater to take in the stunning sunset views, catch a performance at the Theatre by the Lake, or eat out at the town’s diverse restaurants and pubs.

Included Meals Breakfast

Overnight Keswick View All

We start the day by touching the past at the mysterious Castlerigg stone circle. Believed to be over 5,000 years old, this ancient site was once a lively hub of pagan rituals. Then it’s time to get close to nature and go for an optional forest walk to witness the majestic Aira Force waterfall. This enchanting 65-foot waterfall is surrounded by lush woodland, offering a peaceful retreat and stunning scenery.

We travel along scenic, winding lanes, passing through the charming villages and majestic mountains to our next destination, the picturesque Lake Windermere and Bowness-on-Windermere, where we’ll stop for lunch.

You’re free to explore this quaint lakeside village as you wish. Options include a leisurely lunch and then a lake cruise, or a visit to the Beatrix Potter attraction to learn about the renowned author and conservationist. Next, visit Hawkshead, where William Wordsworth attended school. Stroll its cobbled streets, lined with whitewashed cottages, quaint shops, and tearooms. We’ll then take narrow country lanes north to Grasmere, described by Wordsworth as “the loveliest spot that man hath found.” Spend your free time visiting Wordsworth’s Dove Cottage, sampling the famous gingerbread, or relaxing in the Wordsworth Daffodil Garden.

After a day spent exploring the most beautiful sites in the Lake District National Park, we return to Keswick early in the evening. It’s your second night here, so you can enjoy a leisurely meal in one of the town’s welcoming pubs or restaurants, many serving locally-sourced food and craft ales.

Included Meals Breakfast

Overnight Keswick View All

We say farewell to the Lake District with its dramatic fells, shimmering lakes, and rolling green valleys, and travel through some of northern England’s most stunning and diverse landscapes. As we travel northeast, the scenery transitions to the rugged beauty of the North Pennines, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, with its windswept moorlands and secluded dales.

The tour continues toward Hadrian’s Wall, stopping at Steel Rigg. You’ll have time to walk beside the wall and feel the isolation that Roman soldiers experienced while guarding against the ‘barbarians’ to the north. As you journey along the wall, your guide will recommend the best sites to visit.

Next is an optional activity: exploring the archaeological site of Vindolanda, where you can step into the lives of those at this Roman fort. Years of excavation have uncovered incredible artifacts, from shoes and jewelry to bones and pottery. Explore the well-preserved ruins and have your lunch in this fascinating site before we continue with our adventure. Heading north, we stop at Carter Bar on the edge of the Cheviot Hills, a historic border crossing between England and Scotland. Traveling through the scenic Scottish Borders, with its rolling hills, ancient abbeys, and charming villages, we pause in Jedburgh, home to the impressive 12th-century Augustinian Abbey.

With a deep appreciation for history, your journey takes you north through the rolling landscapes of the Scottish Borders. Along the way, you’ll encounter charming villages and scenic vistas, before you return to Edinburgh.

You return to Edinburgh at approximately 7pm.

Included Meals Breakfast