Northumbria & Beamish

Set on the border with Scotland, the area boasts over 100 beautiful miles of Heritage Coast. As well as the perennial favourite Beamish Museum, there is an opportunity to visit the scenic Bamburgh Castle and Holy Island.

HIGHLIGHTS
• 4 or 6 nights hotel with breakfast & dinner
• Included excursions to the Beamish Museum, Bamburgh Castle & Lindisfarne
• Additional included excursions to Hadrian’s Wall, Hexham & North Pennines, and Durham & Hartlepool QuayDAY 1 Departure: A morning departure stopping for lunch and refreshments en route to our hotel where you are greeted with a light afternoon tea upon arrival.

DAYS 2-6 At leisure with four included excursions.

Beamish Museum: Visit Beamish and experience the past through its people, The Town, Colliery Village and Home Farm are all set in 1913. Step further back in time to the Georgian north to explore Pockerley Manor and take a ride on the 1825 railway. Hop on board a Beamish tram and start your journey back in time. Go underground at a real drift mine to see how coal miners worked. Find out what school was like all those years ago and practise your handwriting on a slate. Visit the Jubilee Sweet Shop and Sweet Factory, to see a sweet making demonstration and then sample the delicious treats. Before you eat too many, pop to the surgery of Mr Jones, the dentist, just along the street. Step into the welcoming farmhouse kitchen at Home Farm and see traditional breeds of sheep, pigs, cattle and poultry in the farmyard and in the fields around the museum.

Bamburgh & Holy Island: We journey north along the coastal road exploring the unspoilt Northumbrian Coastline. Our first stop is the village of Bamburgh, where you can enjoy free time to wander at leisure or visit the Castle with its fine views of the Farne Islands (admission not included). Following this, if the tides permit we cross the narrow causeway to the Holy Island which is famous for both its medieval religious heritage and also its 16th Century castle (admission not included).

Hadrian’s Wall, Hexham & North Pennines: We visit Hadrian’s Wall and Chesters Roman Fort (admission not included) before continuing to the market town of Hexham with its Abbey. Our journey also takes us across the dramatic North Pennines passing the spectacular High Force waterfall.

Durham & Hartlepool Quay: An excursion to the ancient city of Durham and Hartlepool Quay. Almost encircled by the River Wear, Durham is full of architectural treasures including the castle and the Cathedral.We then travel to the coast and Hartlepool Quay, a reproduction of an 18th Century seaport, home to the Tincomalee, Europe’s oldest floating warship restored by the people of Hartlepool. In this naval yesteryear attraction experience being “Pressganged”, “Fighting Ships” and the children’s maritime adventure centre.

LAST DAY Travel home: We depart for home, arriving during the evening.Jurys Inn, Newcastle

In the heart of Gateshead, just a short walk from the Millennium Bridge and Quayside the newly built hotel has excellent facilities including a riverside restaurant and bar. There is a lift to all floors and porterage is included. Each of the en suite bedrooms feature a hairdryer and tea/coffee making facilities. All single rooms are double/twin for sole use. Welcome drink & tea/coffee served after dinner are both included.