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THE VIKING NORTH
4 days / 3 nights - Sunday to Wednesday
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 Hardly surprising that the region has been used extensively for film and TV locations. It is perhaps one of the most varied scenic regions in the country. However, it is perhaps as well-known for being at the very heart of England's Viking past, when the Norsemen ran their 'Danelaw' from the great settlement of Jorvic. Later, it became the medieval walled city of York and there rose the greatest of all English cathedrals. On this tour you'll see the austere, heather covered moorlands of Jane Eyre, the hills and lakes of the north eastern Peaks, Captain Cook's north east coast, and the rolling landscape of the Dales. This is a region rich in all sorts of historical lore. Of course there' Viking York itself. It is futher represented by magnificent ruined abbeys that met their fate at the hands of Henry VIII, massive moated Norman castles built by feudal lord to protect his lands - often from Scots invaders - and a variety of magnicicent houses and homes. Combine these two aspects with gardens, country pubs, local colour, and traditional, timeless towns and you have an absolute winner! Your not regret a whole week 'oop north' and if mountains and lakes are 'your thing', then for that perfect week, combine this with the preceding Lake District.
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DEPARTURE DATES & PRICES FOR YEAR 2009
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Tour Code
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Depart
Manchester
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Return
Manchester
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VIK
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Sunday
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Wednesday
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VIK
01
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26 Apr
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29 Apr
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VIK
02
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10 May
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13 May
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VIK
03
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24 May
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27 May
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VIK
04
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07 Jun
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10 Jun
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VIK
05
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21 Jun
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24 Jun
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VIK
06
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05 Jul
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08 Jul
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VIK 07
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19 Jul
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22 Jul
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VIK
08
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02 Aug
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05 Aug
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VIK
09
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16 Aug
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19 Aug
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VIK
10
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30 Aug
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02 Sep
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VIK
11
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13 Sep
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16 Sep
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VIK
12
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27 Sep
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30 Sep
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VIK
13
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11 Oct
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14 Oct
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Price per person: GBP £495 Twin share / GBP £485 Single room
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What
your tour price includes
- Your
accommodation for 3 nights while on the tour is included
in your tour price, and this includes both full breakfasts
and dinners;
- Your
price also includes all entrance fees to attractions,
transportation, services of driver/guide-companion
and all taxes and tips other than those you may wish
to give your guide;
- Airport transfers, accommodation pre and post tour and additional sightseeing tours are not included but can be reserved as required.
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| TENTATIVE
ITINERARY |
NIGHTSTOP
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DAY ONE - SUNDAY
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We depart from central Manchester
at 08:30. Our scenic drive to York takes us via the Lancashire
villages of Todmordon and to Yorkshire for Haworth. The Haworth
Parsonage was home for those incredible literary sisters,
the Brontes. We'll collect tour participants who have been staying
overnight here combining our Lakes and Lancashire tour with
this one. We'll see the famed parsonage before continuing to
York.
York itself is a fabulous Viking
walled city that has much to offer its visitors, from the splendid
Minster, the city centre castle, the Roman Museum, and the National
Railway Museum, to the medieval shopping 'Shambles'. We'll spend
the greater part of our day exploring its delights.
Our accommodation base is on
the very edge of the North Yorkshire Moors, but just 45 minutes
from the city. En route, we'll see the pretty village of Coxwold.
Alternatively, we stay
near the elegant spa town of Harrogate.
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Helmsley/Harrogate
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DAY TWO - MONDAY
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From our Yorkshire base, we head
westward across the heather-covered moors to Whitby.
This is Captain Cook country and we'll explore his local heritage.
Later, we experience a change of transport. You'll board a train
(subject to schedules) at the North Yorkshire Moors Railway
and for the duration of the journey you'll relive the nostalgia
of the steam age. Harry Potter fans will find the station somewhat
familiar! Next, the most spectacular stately home in Yorkshire,
Castle Howard. This beautiful palace is still lived in
by the Howard family who built it in the 18th century. You'll
have free time here to explore the house and grounds.
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Helmsley/Harrogate
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DAY THREE - TUESDAY
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We take the real back roads now,
over the austere but magnificently beautiful moors to West Yorkshire.
Down one such back road we find Rievaulx Abbey. In the
days before Henry VIII, great and rich monasteries dominated
the region. Their huge skeletons dominate the valleys and remind
us of their once undoubted power and riches before Henry robbed
them of it all.
Our next stop is at Richmond,
one of the nicest towns in England, situated in the heart of
the dales country at Swaledale. Its castle dominates the town
and the steep streets are around the central cobbled market
square. There's also Scollards Hall built in 1080, one
of England's oldest domestic buildings. And, if time allows,
a riverside walk by the castle along the River Swale will be
a memorable event.
The Dales, taking us though Yorkshire
and into Northumbria, are worth a day of anybody's time! Besides
the staggering beauty of the area, including the famed Highforce
waterfall, history is writ large in the remains of ancient lead
workings and settlements.
We return south to our base via
the town of Ripon (please note: occasionally, Ripon is
used as our base and this itinerary is remoulded around this
point). In Ripon you can visit the captivating 7th century Cathedral
and Ripon itself is a meandering of medieval streets dotted
with tea rooms and arts and crafts shops. This cathedral, originally
a minster until 1836, is as spectacular in its way to York Minster.
A particular feature of interest is the crypt of the original
church that stood here (AD. 672). Those having seen enough ecclesiastical
heritage might try the Prison and Police or Workhouse museums
instead!
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Helmsley/Harrogate
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DAY FOUR - WEDNESDAY
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Our first port of call is Harrogate.
This elegant city is the North's Bath. Georgian building, beautiful
municipal gardens and memorable architecture mark it out. Several-times
winner of 'Britain in Bloom' the town of Harrogate boasts some
of the most attractive parks and gardens in the region. One
particular local attraction is the Royal Horticultural Society's
Harlow Carr Gardens. These are the society's most northerly
gardens and an interesting way to see what can be grown here.
This afternoon we'll see why
the region is so popular for film locations. A short drive brings
us the Ilkley. Did you see the film 'Calendar Girls', the true
story of the Women's Institute ladies who produced the infamous
nude calendar? Well, this is where it was shot and where the
real ladies of the Women's Institute came from. Further south
our routing takes us through more location country, most notably
the town of Holmfirth, The UK's longest running TV comedy programme,
'Last of the Summer Wine', about the second childhood of a group
of ageing delinquents and their farcical adventures, was set
in the picturesque Holme Valley. Even without their 'fame' you'd
want us to have introduced you to this area. No doubt you'll
find taking a few shots yourself hard to resist!
We complete our day in central Manchester. We can assist with any pre/post tour accommodation, transfers and sightseeing throughout the UK, Ireland and Europe.
>> Go to tours departing from Manchester
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Return Manchester
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