A Taste of luxury in The Durham Dales

Join us as we head to County Durham for our A Taste of luxury in the Durham Dales Tour. If it’s ever been your dream to stay at a castle now’s your chance with a wonderful stay at the 4-star Lumley Castle Hotel. The magnificent Lumley Castle has dominated the County Durham landscape for 630 years, the Grade I listed castle is a monument to a bygone age of chivalry and honor. During out stay visit South Shield home of the late Catherine Cookson, one of the UK’s most extraordinary traditional seaside resorts, experience the coastal charm and unparalleled charisma surrounded by golden sands, dramatic cliffs and uninterrupted views out to the North Sea with a guided tour of Arbeia Roman Fort Unesco World Heritage Site and a scenic coastal drive included. Discover the ancient and historic city of Durham, another wonderful World Heritage Site with winding cobbled streets and a prominent peninsula crowned with its magnificent cathedral and castle. Take a journey to uncover the secret story behind Ushaw house, chapels and garden, the historic gem hidden in beautiful Durham Countryside. Don’t miss out on this little ‘taste of luxury’ in the North East.Monday
Depart Leyland at 09.00hrs for our journey to the Lumley Castle Hotel with a lunch stop in Hexham and a photo opportunity at the Angel of the North en-route.

Tuesday - Thursday

Today's excursion takes us to the coast and South Shields with a visit to the UNESCO World Heritage Site Arbeia Roman Fort before heading to the town for free time to explore, why not visit the South Shields Museum and Art Gallery or head to the quayside. Following our visit, we take a scenic drive along the coast, past Marsden Bay, Whitburn and Seaburn before returning to the hotel.

This morning we visit Ushaw Historic House, Gardens and Chapels with an afternoon visit to the ancient and historic city of Durham, acclaimed as a World Heritage Site and dominated by the magnificent Norman cathedral and castle sitting high above the River Wear, explore the city with its labyrinth of little streets and alleyways, or take a stroll by the river, allowing time for lunch return to the hotel mid-afternoon.

Following a leisurely breakfast and a little free time at the hotel we drive into the Durham countryside to visit Ushaw, a magnificent historic house, gardens and chapels, uncover the story that was born more than 200 years ago in secret as a religious community for training priests.

Friday
Check out of our hotel following breakfast for our return journey home with a suitable lunch stop en-routeLumley Castle Hotel, Chester-Le-Street, Durham, DH3 4NX