Delightful Durham and the Lovely Lake District

Day 1 Morning departure for the journey north to County Durham and to the hotel for a three night stay.

Days 2 and 3

• A day at leisure to explore Durham’s small but grand city. We have included a guided tour of the beautiful Durham Cathedral to admire its breath-taking vaulted ceiling and distinctive carved pillars. The cathedral is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site which also covers Durham Castle and the buildings located between them. The city is compact and easy to explore, with highlights including the stunning Castle, the Palace Green, the old marketplace and pleasant riverside walks.
  NB: The city has some steep streets.

• A guide will join you for a scenic tour through part of the Durham Dales. As you travel across the heather strewn hillsides you may catch a glimpse of the Red Grouse, Curlew or even a Merlin. You will visit the bustling market town of Barnard Castle, Stanhope with its Dales Centre often described as the Queen of the Dales and the stunning medieval village of Blanchland, a photographer’s dream.

Day 4 Time to depart the hotel and Durham and head into North Yorkshire and the market town of Richmond, clustered around the picturesque, cobbled marketplace, with its landmark Norman castle. There are a wealth of attractions, such as the Green Howards Museum and the Richmondshire Museum along with many independent shops and eateries. You will then continue the journey to the scenic Lake District and to Shap for a three night stay.

Days 5 and 6

• Travel to Hutton-in-the-Forest, a beautiful historic house and gardens in Penrith. Lord and Lady Inglewood’s ancient family home is a glorious mixture of architectural and decorative styles, quite unlike any other house in the world. Time to explore the house, extensive gardens and the Cloisters tearoom. You will then visit Keswick the most northerly town of the Lake District at the northern end of beautiful Derwentwater. Time to enjoy a walk around and a coffee before returning to Shap.

• Enjoy a boat trip from Lakeside, taking in the stunning scenery before arriving at Bowness-on-Windermere. Here you will enjoy free time and lunch before continuing to Grasmere, nestled at the foot of some spectacular fells and with its own lake. The village has many shops, pubs and cafés, including the famous Grasmere Gingerbread – make sure you find time to visit the shop to taste and buy before a scenic drive back to Shap.

Day 7 After breakfast, depart the hotel and commence the homeward journey.

Radisson Blu, Durham

A sophisticated riverside hotel overlooking the River Wear right in the heart of the city. All bedrooms are en-suite with TV, hairdryer, safe, WiFi, iron/ironing board and tea/coffee making facilities. Lift, bar, lounge, restaurant, indoor pool, sauna and gym.

Shap Wells Hotel

Set in tranquil surroundings in the Cumbrian Fells. All bedrooms are en-suite with TV, radio, hairdryer and tea/coffee making facilities. Lift to most floors, bar, lounges and spacious restaurant.

Single supplement £194

Holiday Insurance £56