Gems of Northumbria

Stretching from the unspoiled wilds of the Northumberland National Park to the outstanding natural beauty of the Heritage Coast, Northumbria has everything for a perfect holiday. Lush rolling countryside, spectacular forests, glorious sandy beaches, quaint villages and historic market towns mingle with mighty castles and ancient monuments that bear testament to the bloody battles and warring clans of a bygone era. Staying in the vibrant city on the mighty River Tyne, immerse yourself into the electric atmosphere of Newcastle with its buzzing vibe, stunning quayside setting and some of England's finest Georgian and Victorian architecture. The highly-acclaimed Geordie capital is your brilliant base for this break which packs in visits to Holy Island, Bamburgh Castle, a spectacular Birds of Prey display and a tea & scones in a static railway carriage.\n\nSEPTEMBER TOUR INCLUDES A GUIDED TOUR OF VERA FILMING LOCATIONS, ITV'S BEST LOVED DRAMA!Highlights
- Hotel for 4 nights in central Newcastle with breakfast- Porterage- First and last nights with dinner- Tour the Dramatic Northumberland National Park- Visit & entry to Birds of Prey Centre with flying display- Visit & entry to Bamburgh Castle- Visit to Holy Island (tides permitting)- Tea & scone at 'Tea on the Train'- 4-hour Guide Tour of Vera's crime scenes (September only)- Full day at lesiure in Newcastle (May & July only)

Your Itinerary
Day 1 - After joining your holiday coach, heading northwards with suitable stops for lunch and refreshments expect to arrive at the 4* Maldron Hotel in Newcastle late afternoon for 4 nights. Arrival night and last night include breakfast & dinner. Second and third nights are breakfast only to give you the opportunity to sample the local cuisine from this central hotel.Days 2 - 4 At leisure in Newcastle with two or three included excursionsINCLUDED EXCURSIONS\nBamburgh Castle, Seahouses & Holy Island (All tours)\nHead to award-winning Bamburgh Castle which has stood guard above the spectacular Northumberland coastline for over 1,400 years. Spanning nine acres of land on its rocky plateau, Bamburgh Castle is one of the largest inhabited castles in the country. After a brief introductory talk, explore the fortress and experience historic treasures, & artefacts, incredible stories, high adventure, exhilarating views and sea air. Roam through history-steeped land with stories behind every stone. Find fantastical tales and legends of The Last Kingdom, Vikings, knights and dragons. NB The first five staterooms including the King's Hall are accessible but there are a number of steps and narrow passages after that. Just down the road is the popular and colourful village of Seahouses. It has a long history of fishing, some gorgeous beaches, a bustling harbour and some of the best takeaway fish & chips in the region!\n\nDepending on the tides (could be a morning or afternoon visits), cross the causeway to Holy Island. Don't fall into the trap of thinking there's nothing to do on the semi-isolated island of Holy Island. Once you cross the causeway at low tide you will be pleasantly surprised by the splendour of the place. Discover the history of the Lindisfarne Gospels at the ancient priory ruin, walk along to Lindisfarne Castle to enjoy amazing views of the mainland. Why not buy some of the locally brewed mead whilst there too!Northumberland National Park & 'Tea on the Train' (All tours)\nHead into the dramatic Northumberland National Park, enjoy the stunning scenery as you cross the moors heading to Kielder Water. Kielder is home to England's largest forest and the biggest man-made lake in Northern Europe. Continue to the Kielder Water Birds of Prey Centre (entry included) based at Leaplish Waterside Park, where the centre cares for a whole host of birds including owls, falcons and vultures as well as fallow deer and wallabies. The Centre contains one of the largest collections of Birds Of Prey in the North of England and a flying display is included with your entry.\n\nThis afternoon pop down the road to Bellingham to 'Tea on the Train', for a well-deserved cuppa with a freshly backed scone on the Bellingham Belle. The static Mark 3 HST railway carriage which used to run on the East Midlands mainline routes, makes for a very different kind of cafe. Just next door is the Bellingham Heritage Centre which gives an insight into the fascinating history of this special part of Northumberland (donations welcome)Guided 'Vera' Tour (Sepember only)\nAnn Cleeves' brilliant and no-nonsense DCI Vera Stanhope (Actress Brenda Blethyn) in her trademark mac and rain hat has attracted a following of fans all over the world in ITV's best-loved detective drama. Now fans will have the chance to follow in her footsteps on this four hour guided Vera tour by coach. The award winning crime drama is both set in and filmed in Newcastle upon Tyne and throughout Northumberland. The Vera tour focuses on visiting some of the most memorable crime scenes and regular haunts of Vera. Free time in Newcastle afterwardsDay 5 - After breakfast, return homewards, arriving back at your local joining points early to mid-evening.\n\n\nMaldron Hotel, Newcastle
Situated in Newcastle City Centre, the smart, modern 4* Maldron Hotel features free WiFi and a private court yard. \n\nSituated in a prime central location with all of the beautiful city's attractions right on the doorstep, the Maldron Hotel has a restaurant and a bar. \n\nGuestrooms feature a desk, flat-screen TV, tea/coffee making facilities, an en suite bathroom with complimentary toiletries and some rooms feature city views.Directly opposite the hotel is Intu Eldon Square and The Gate leisure complex is close by.\n\nLift to all floors