Northumberland Tour - Castles, Coast and Country Houses
Northumberland Tour - Castles, Coast and Country Houses
4 Days
Visiting: Macdonald Linden Hall Hotel, Holy Island, Alnwick Castle, Bamburgh Castle
Tour operator:
Group size:
0 - 48
Trip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
The northernmost county in England, Northumberland has a fascinating and turbulent history, a stunning coastline dotted with magnificent castles and a warm welcome. This superb tour in the company of Julian Humphrys, explores the county’s rich history – from its incomparable castles to country house splendour, dramatic coastline and even a quirky art gallery. The tour is ideally located in 450 acres of grounds near Morpeth at the impressive country house-style hotel, the Macdonald Linden Hall, dating from 1812.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1:
Location: Macdonald Linden Hall Hotel
Arrive independently at the Macdonald Linden Hall Hotel from 15.00. This evening there will be a welcome drink, private dinner with wine and a talk by your host Julian Humphrys – 'Reivers and Raiders: Life and death on the borders'.
Day 2: Etal Castle, Flodden Lady Waterford Hall, Holy Island And Lindisfarne Priory.
Location: Holy Island
A rich and varied day to start the tour first takes us Etal Castle, built by Robert Manners as a defence against Scots raiders, it fell to James IV’s Scots army in 1513 immediately before their defeat at nearby Flodden. We then head to the site of the 1513 Battle of Flodden when Julian will bring its history to life. Next, its onwards to Lady Waterford Hall , which now doubles as a village hall, and houses an unusual art collection painted by the Marchioness of Waterford in the late 19th century. We will then head north to Holy Island and will have free time for lunch (not included) and some time to explore. We continue our day with a visit to Lindisfarne Priory , which dates back some 1400 years and is one of the most important centres of early Christianity in the country and a wonderfully remote and atmospheric place. This evening there will be a second talk from Julian, ‘Sieges and castles’ and dinner at the hotel.
Day 3: Alnwick Castle And Cragside.
Location: Alnwick Castle
Two marvellous architectural wonders today – a guided tour of Alnwick Castle , dating back to the 11th century, and remains the home of the Duke of Northumberland to this day, and is the second largest inhabited castle in England after Windsor. The afternoon is spent at Cragside, a monument to the Industrial Revolution and home of Cragside House armaments manufacturer Lord Armstrong and the first house in the world to be lit by hydroelectric power. This evening dinner will be in the hotel restaurant.
Day 4: Bamburgh And Warkworth Castles.
Location: Bamburgh Castle
Our final day takes us along the Northumberland Heritage Coast, first of all to lovely Bamburgh Castle which sits on a rocky outcrop looking out to the Farne Islands. Dating back to the 11 th century, the castle enjoys a spectacular setting and has been used as a location in many films including Ivanhoe, Elizabeth and Macbeth. We then head along the coast passing the distant ruins of Dunstanburgh Castle to Warkworth Castle , which sits on a hilltop above the Coquet River and the pretty village. Dating back to the turn of the 13 th century, it was once home to ‘Harry Hotspur’, immortalised by Shakespeare. Return to the hotel for approximately 18.00.
What's Included
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Three nights' bed and breakfast at the four-star Macdonald Linden Hall Hotel, based on shared occupancy of a twin/double room
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Welcome reception
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First night private three-course dinner with wine
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Second and third night dinners at the hotel
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All guided tours, visits and entrance fees
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Coach transfers and tour manager throughout
What's Not Included
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Transport to the hotel is not included
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Double for sole use supplement
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Holiday insurance
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Extra nights on bed and breakfast basis
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Meals other than those stated
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Items of a personal nature such as drinks, laundry, telephone calls etc
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Porterage and gratuities
Accommodation
Macdonald Linden Hall Hotel
An impressive four-star country house hotel set in 450 acres of private grounds, ideally located just outside the county town of Morpeth, with easy access to the places visited on the tour. Hotel facilities include a restaurant, pub, bar, gym, spa, indoor swimming pool and free wifi. Rooms are contemporary in warming neutral tones and comfortable beds. Room facilities include private bathroom with bath/shower, TV, telephone, hairdryer and tea/coffee making facilities.
Complimentary car parking is available at the hotel.
MORE INFO
Your GuideJulian Humphrys
Julian read history at Emmanuel College, Cambridge, has worked at historical sites both in Britain and overseas and is nowa trustee of the Battlefields Trust and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts. He has a very infectious enthusiasm for history and has published numerous books on castles and battles.He currently leads more than a dozen tours for Travel Editions and imparts his extraordinary historical knowledge with wit and panache, making a tour led by him both an educational and entertaining experience.UK ToursPlease note that all our UK tours start and finish at the relevant hotel. You can normally check in from 3pm onwards but hotels will always be happy to store your luggage if you arrive earlier in the day.
For full details of how to get to the hotel, directions and the nearest train station, please click on the hotel website or call our office for details. These will also be sent automatically with your confirmation.
The welcome reception and first evening dinner / talk will commence at about 6pm - full details will be sent with your joining instructions about 10 days prior to the arrival date.
Check out our Q&As
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What are the highlights of the Northumberland Tour?
The highlights of the Northumberland Tour include Majestic Holy Island and Lindisfarne Priory, Magnificent Cragside, the first house to be lit by hydro-electricity, Alnwick – the 2nd largest inhabited castle in England, Spectacular Bamburgh and Warkworth Castles, and two talks from entertaining historian, Julian Humphrys.
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Who is the guide for the Northumberland Tour?
The guide for the Northumberland Tour is Julian Humphrys. He read history at Emmanuel College, Cambridge, has worked at historical sites both in Britain and overseas, and is a trustee of the Battlefields Trust and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts. Julian has a very infectious enthusiasm for history, has published numerous books on castles and battles, and leads more than a dozen tours for Travel Editions, imparting his extraordinary historical knowledge with wit and panache.
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What type of accommodation is provided on the tour?
The accommodation provided on the tour is the Macdonald Linden Hall Hotel, a four-star country house hotel set in 450 acres of private grounds, located just outside the county town of Morpeth. The hotel features a restaurant, pub, bar, gym, spa, indoor swimming pool, and free wifi. Rooms are contemporary with private bathrooms, TV, telephone, hairdryer, and tea/coffee making facilities. Complimentary car parking is available at the hotel.
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What is included in the tour package?
The tour package includes three nights' bed and breakfast at the four-star Macdonald Linden Hall Hotel, based on shared occupancy of a twin/double room, a welcome reception, a first night private three-course dinner with wine, second and third night dinners at the hotel, all guided tours, visits and entrance fees, and coach transfers and tour manager throughout.
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What are the exclusions from the tour package?
The exclusions from the tour package include transport to the hotel, double for sole use supplement, holiday insurance, extra nights on bed and breakfast basis, meals other than those stated, items of a personal nature such as drinks, laundry, telephone calls etc, porterage and gratuities.
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Final joining instructions and documentation will be despatched approximately 10 days before travel.
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Do I need any Visas or Vaccinations for my holidays?
Visa and vaccination requirements are subject to change. Please check with your local doctor/GP about the current Vaccination requirements of the country you are visiting. For Visa enquiries, please contact the Embassy of the country you are visiting.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Generally, single and double rooms carry the same price, which means that single supplements for certain itineraries can seem high. We would be pleased to arrange for clients travelling alone to share with another client, however this is subject to somebody in the same situation booking on the tour. If you would be interested in this option, please let us know at the time of enquiry/booking.
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Where does the tour manager meet us?
In most cases the tour manager will travel out with the tour group from the UK. However, this is not always the case and the tour manager may meet you at the destination station / airport. The exact details specific to your tour will be given to you in your final documentation, 10 days prior to departure.
Reviews from travellers on this tour
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Monday - Thursday
Sep 02, 2024 - Sep 05, 2024Book with Confidence
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Low Deposit
Travel Editions requires a minimum deposit of 20% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 56 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of travel editions charges.
Up to 56 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 55 days before tour starts: Forfeit 45% of booking price.
At 28 days before tour starts: Forfeit 60% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.