England’s Yorkshire and the Lake District – 6 Days

From Manchester travel north into the Yorkshire Dales and setting of James Herriot’s All Creature Great and Small. On route to York you may choose to stop in quaint market towns such as Skipton and Harrogate or at the stunning UNESCO heritage site at Fountains Abbey and Gardens. Spend the afternoon exploring the magnificent city of York where you can discover Roman and Viking heritage, medieval cobbled streets and city walls, Georgian architecture and the centerpiece of York Minster.

• Accommodation: overnight in York.
• Distance: 80 miles / 130 km, 1 hour 45 minutes (approx.), if starting at Manchester Airport*.
• Highlights: Yorkshire Dales, York and York Minster.

DAY TWO – Castle Howard, Whitby Abbey and Durham Cathedral

Departing York, pass in to the wild landscapes of the Yorkshire Moors inspiration for Bronte’s Wuthering Heights. Enjoy a stop at Castle Howard or the tiny village of Goathland whose train station you may recognize as Hogsmeade from the Harry Potter movies. Reaching the windswept north east coast enjoy the cobbled harbor town of Whitby and the stunning Whitby Abbey. Continue north to the University City of Durham to explore the stunning World Heritage Site at Durham Cathedral and Castle.

• Accommodation: overnight in Durham.
• Distance: 70 miles / 115 km, 1 hour 25 minutes (approx.)*.
• Highlights: Whitby Abbey and Durham Cathedral.

DAY THREE – Hadrian’s Wall, Carlisle Castle and Wordsworth’s House

Continue north to visit Hadrian’s Wall, once the northern frontier of the Roman Empire, stop at one or more of the preserved stretches still preserved today such as at Chester’s Roman Fort. Travelling west along the line of the wall you may choose to stop at the town of Carlisle and Carlisle Castle before heading south into the awe-inspiring landscapes of the Lake District and a stop at Wordsworth’s House in quaint village Cockermouth.

• Accommodation: overnight in York.
• Distance: 90 miles / 145 km, 2 hours (approx.)*.
• Highlights: Hadrian’s Wall and Carlisle Castle.

DAY FOUR – The Lake District National Park

Spend today exploring a magnificent corner of England and some of the country’s most spectacular natural beauty including the lakes and their surrounding fells, woodlands, stone walls and quaint villages. This region is ideal for walking, hiking, tranquil boat trips or lazy drives soaking up the scenery. Possible cultural visits include Wordsworth’s Rydal Mount and Beatrix Potter’s Hilltop not to mention dozens of tiny Lakeland villages.

• Accommodation: overnight in The Lake District.
• Highlights: The Lake District.

DAY FIVE – Lancaster Castle, Liverpool and Beatles Heritage

Pass south to visit the magnificent city of Liverpool which was designated as European City of Culture in 2008. The city is home to two cathedrals, dozens of listed buildings, the famous Albert Docks and a wealth of Beatles Heritage including Matthews Street, the Cavern Club, Penny Lane, Strawberry Fields and the Beatles Story Exhibition.

• Accommodation: overnight in Liverpool or Chester.
• Distance: 90 miles / 140 km, 1 hour 40 minutes (approx.)*.
• Highlights: Liverpool and The Beatles Story.

DAY SIX – Roman City of Chester and Manchester

Today enjoy the Roman city of Chester, home to Roman City walls and gate towers, the stunning excavated Roman Amphitheatre, an impressive cathedral and the unique Tudor Facaded “Rows”. From here return East to Manchester and time-permitting you may choose to venture in to the cosmopolitan city of Manchester, perhaps to visit Old Trafford, the stadium of world famous soccer team Manchester United.

• Distance: 35 miles / 55 km, 1 hour (approx.), based on a route to Manchester Airport*.
• Highlights: Roman Chester.

Return your vehicle.

*Journey times and distances are estimates and are based on the direct route between the start location and end location for each day of the itinerary, where applicable. They do not include detours or stops for sightseeing.