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THE VIKING NORTH 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. History is represented by magnificent ruined abbeys, castles and a variety of great houses and homes. Combine these two aspects with gardens, country pubs, local colour, and traditional, timeless towns and you have an absolute winner! If mountains and lakes are 'your thing', then combine this with either the preceding Lake District or our succeeding Peaks tours, or even both! (See The Great North itinerary for a special rate if you are interested in combining all three!) DEPARTURE DATES & PRICES FOR YEAR 2008
Cost: $989 USD per person in a twin share room. Single $1039 USD single occupancy What your tour price includes: Your accommodation for 3 nights while on the tour including 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 and accommodation pre and post tour is not included but can be reserved at a specially discounted price.
TENTATIVE ITINERARY DAY ONE - SATURDAY 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. Accommodation: Helmsley/Harrogate DAY TWO - SUNDAY 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. Accommodation: Helmsley/Harrogate DAY THREE - MONDAY 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! Accommodation: Helmsley/Harrogate DAY FOUR - TUESDAY 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 the High Peaks, near Glossop, where those continuing onto our Peak District will spend the night. Those finishing their tour will return to Manchester. Accommodation in Manchester is not included in your tour price (but is available for a supplemental fee.)
This Viking York tour is also designed to link with the following tours beginning on Wednesdays from London: weekly departures Red Dragon tour of South Wales; weekly departures of Heart of England visiting Oxford and the Cotswolds; select departures of Eastern England, Mini-Harry Potter and the Kingdom of Wessex. We are happy to assist with your rail journey between cities.
This tour is operated by Back-Roads Touring Co Ltd |
