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NORTHUMBERLAND visiting

ALNWICK CASTLE AND GARDENS, 

BAMBURGH CASTLE AND HOLY ISLAND,

 THE METROCENTRE, and

WENSLEYDALE  CHEESE CENTRE.

 

Sunday, 8 October – Thursday, 12 October, 2023.

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Staying 4 nights at the 4 STAR Newcastle Gateshead Marriott Hotel Metrocentre, Bed, Full Buffet Breakfast and 3 Courses with 3 choices Evening Meal, Tea or Coffee after meal, all tables have jugs of water. The restaurant is called the Cast Iron Bar and Grill.  The Hotel has an inside swimming pool, a Spa and a gym, and a lift serves all floors. 

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SUNDAY  -  We depart from pickups overleaf and our first stop will be at BOUNDARY MILL, and we will have time for a good look around. We continue on our journey to arrive at our hotel in the afternoon. Evening dinner in the Hotel’s restaurant.

 

MONDAY - We meet the coach, after breakfast and travel through the Northumberland countryside to BAMBURGH CASTLE. Bamburgh Castle has been the home of the Armstrong family since 1894, spanning 9 acres of land on its rocky plateau and is one of the largest inhabited castles in the Country, it enjoys more than its fair share of ghost stories, legends and myths.   On arrival we are booked in for a 45 minute guided tour of the Castle, then you are free to explore.   Fancy a snack or something to drinks, there’s The Clock Tower Tea Rooms or The Clock Tower Café.

 

We meet the coach for our short journey to THE HOLY ISLAND OF LINDISFARNE.   

We travel across the Causeway and on to the Island.   This mysterious tidal island offers charming cafes, an ancient Priory and a Castle that teeters on the coastline, incredible seaview’s and Lindisfarne Mead, and a village.  St. Aidens Winery the Home of the Mead is situated in the centre of the village.  Each adult visiting the showroom can sample a free tasting of the world famous Mead, known as “Nectar of the Gods”.   There is a charge to go into The Priory and The Castle.   We meet the coach and return to our hotel.

 

TUESDAY  -  We meet the coach, after breakfast and this morning will be a surprise.   In the afternoon, we make our way to The METROCENTRE  which has been a legendary destination since 1986, and there is still nowhere like it, it’s the UK’s original mega mall.   We meet the coach, with all our shopping, for our return journey to our Hotel.

 

WEDNESDAY  -  Breakfast in the Hotel’s restaurant and we meet the coach, after breakfast and depart for our day excursion to ALNWICK CASTLE AND GARDENS.  

 

THE GARDENS

The meandering and magnificent gardens are home to the world’s largest Cherry Orchard, the Grand Cascade comprising 120 water jets which makeup the half hourly display, and the world’s largest Treehouse Restaurant.   The garden is a peaceful and tranquil haven to spend time wandering amongst the Roses in the Rose Garden, The Ornamental Garden, the Poison Garden or just taking it all in on one of the 50 swinging benches.   If you fancy a bite to eat try The Potting Shed, The Bakery or The Pavilion Café.

 

THE CASTLE

Alnwick Castle the second largest inhabited castle in the UK has over 950 years of history, the origins of the Castle date back to the Norman period.   Since 1309 its story has been intertwined with that of the Percy family and has been their home for over 700 years.  It remains a family home today for the 12th Duke and Duchess and their 4 children.   It has featured as Hogwarts in the first two Harry Potter films as well as a location for Downton Abbey, Transformers, Elizabeth, Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves, to name but a few.

We meet the coach after a lovely day here and return to our Hotel.

 

THURSDAY  -  We meet the coach, after breakfast, with our luggage and commence our journey home. We make a stop at WENSLEYDALE CREAMERY,  where we take in The Cheese Experience. Come on a journey and discover the art of cheese making in the dales.  Watch Yorkshire Wensleydale being handcrafted, visit the testing room.  Then visit the 1897 Coffee Shop which serves everything cheese from Cheese on Toast to Cheese Scones at reasonable prices.

From here we continue our journey home.

 

PRICE FOR THIS 5 DAY TOUR IS:  £543.00 in Twin/Double Rooms.

SINGLE ROOMS:  £679.00.

 

Price includes 4 nights at the 4 Star Marriott Hotel, Gateshead, Half Board, entrance into;- Alnwick Castle and Gardens, Bamburgh Castle and tour, Wensleydale Cheese and the Cheese Experience, return coach fare, services of a courier.

 

Bookings are taken over the telephone, followed by £50.00 per person deposit, paid by bank transfer or cheque.  With final payment 6 weeks prior to departure date

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INSURANCE:   We suggest you take out your own insurance.