Description
HIGHLIGHTS: Beamish Open Air Museum, Durham, Shildon and the National Rail Museum, Weardale Railway, Dales Visitor Centre.
Join us as we uncover the history and heritage of lovely County Durham, one of England's best kept secrets. Fittingly, our base is the iconic local landmark of Lumley Castle which dates back 600 years, and our fascinating excursion programme takes in the very best of this underrated corner of our country. Visits include the famous Beamish Open Air Museum and the National Rail Museum, Shildon, a trip to the historic city of Durham, and a memorable train ride on the lovingly restored Weardale Railway.
**Please note it is a condition of travel with Grand UK, for all passengers to hold valid travel insurance for the duration of their tour.**
Itinerary
Everything Included:
- Free local joining points
- Collect Coach Miles
- All coach travel
- Reserved seats on tour coaches
- Tour Manager escorted
- Hotel accommodation and board as stated
- No single room supplement
- Excursions / itinerary as stated
- Admission fees and entertainment if stated
- Complete luggage handling
- Price-Back Insurance Offer
Excursions
FULL DAY: Today's full day visit to Beamish Open Air Museum is a truly unforgettable experience. Ride on the trams, visit the shops, and walk into houses - all faithfully re-creating life at the turn of
the 20th century in County Durham and the North East.
HALF DAY: To the iconic city of Durham, with its castle and cathedral proudly standing high above a loop in the River Wear.
FULL DAY: Rails and Dales today as we begin at Shildon and the National Rail Museum. This is where the first steam powered public railway came to life and the museum tells this story of George Stephenson and his Rocket. Driving into the pleasant surrounds of Weardale we include a journey by rail on the Weardale Railway before arriving in Stanhope, where we visit the Dales Visitor Centre.
Escorted Travel
Every one of our coach holidays includes the services of a coach driver and is always fully escorted by a knowledgeable Tour Manager, they are on hand every day and night and stay in the same hotel to ensure your holiday is stress-free.
Our coach Tour Managers are there purely for your extra comfort and enjoyment, from organising activities to breaking the ice and helping you all make the most of your holiday.
We hand-pick these extra special people because of their passion for people and places; they are the heartbeat of our coach holidays, a smiling face, a helping hand and always a listening ear and have the ability to turn a great time into a truly magical and memorable holiday experience.
They are simply the best in the business.
Our coach Tour Managers are there purely for your extra comfort and enjoyment, from organising activities to breaking the ice and helping you all make the most of your holiday. They are simply the best in the business.
We hand-pick these extra special people because of their passion for people and places; they are the heartbeat of our coach holidays, a smiling face, a helping hand and always a listening ear and have the ability to turn a great time into a truly magical and memorable holiday experience.
Your Pick Up Points
Joining Your Grand UK Coach Holiday
For 2024 we have introduced improvements to our network of local pick up points across the eastern, central and southern England, aimed at shortening your journey times and getting you away on holiday more easily and conveniently, meaning an altogether more relaxing start. We now have two pick up regions so your travel days will be more convenient, providing more efficient journeys, meeting your tour manager and fellow travellers earlier and in most cases arriving in resort earlier, please refer to our Pick-ups section below for more details.
The Tour Ref below indicates whether the tour departs from Area A or Area B by having either an A or B at the end. For example, GUK5A would be a tour departing from Area A.
Pick-Up Information
For 2024 we have introduced improvements to our network of local pick up points across the eastern, central and southern England, aimed at shortening your journey times and getting you away on holiday more easily and conveniently, meaning an altogether more relaxing start. We now have two pick up regions so your travel days will be more convenient, providing more efficient journeys, meeting your tour manager and fellow travellers earlier and in most cases arriving in resort earlier.
The Tour Ref on the holiday tab indicates whether the tour departs from Area A or Area B by having either an A or B at the end. For example, GUK5A would be a tour departing from Area A.
Traveling from Departure Area A: Be picked up from your free local departure point, and join your tour coach at our interchange area at Northampton Services on the M11, at junction 15A.
Traveling from Departure Area B: Be picked up from your free local departure point, and join your tour coach at our interchange area at Beaconsfield Services, M40, junction 2.
Venue Information
Lumley Castle Hotel
This landmark castle, overlooking the surrounding countryside, is situated 7 miles from Durham. Standing for over 600 years, the castle combines its history with modern facilities and quirky and intimate public areas.
**** (AA)
- Restaurant, bars and lounges
- En-suite bedrooms
- Free Wi-Fi available
- Lift to the first floor in the castle, rooms available on ground floor. Rooms are generally located in the castle courtyard.
Hotel/Attraction Links