Escape to the Heart of England

Heritage, landscapes and traditions - Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire certainly have more than their fair share and tiny Rutland boasts a proud and rich history. Join this discovery break to the heart of England, full of included entrances, and experience some of region's top attractions including the inspiring Barnsdale Gardens, the historic city of Lincoln, the fascinating International Bomber Command Centre, an atmospheric Georgian workhouse and a Rutland Water Cruise. So much to discover and enjoy!Tour Highlights
- Hotel for 4 nights with dinner & breakfast- Tea/coffee after dinner- Included excursions as stated:- Entrance to Barnsdale Gardens- 50 min Rutland Water cruise- Visits to Oakham, Lincoln & Newark-on-Trent- Entrance to International Bomber Command Centre- Entrance to Southwell Workhouse- En-route visits to Melton Mowbray & Stamford (time permitting)- Porterage & welcome drink- Use of leisure facilities

Escape to the Heart of England
Day 1 - Head north with a stop en-route in Melton Mowbray. This bustling market town known as the 'Rural Capital of Food' boasts a culinary heritage that few can match. As well as other produce, visitors can sample Melton Mowbray pork pies and Stilton cheese - famous delicacies which, thanks to protected status, can only be made in this locality. Continue to your hotel for your 4-night stay with welcome drink and porterage on arrival DBB\n\nDay 2 - 4 At leisure with three included excursions\n\nINCLUDED EXCURSIONS\nBARNSDALE GARDENS, OAKHAM & RUTLAND BELLE CRUISE\nIt's off to Rutland - the smallest county in England but arguably one of the prettiest and it certainly lives up to its motto, Multum in Parvo (much in little). The quaint county town of Oakham is home to an impressive Norman castle and the stylish boutiques and exclusive little gift shops are a delight. Visit the famous Barnsdale Gardens, familiar to many TV viewers as the home of Gardeners World. The gardens comprise 37 individual gardens and features, all blended together by the borders into one eight acre garden.\n\nEnjoy a relaxing afternoon cruise on Rutland Water, one of the largest artificial lakes in Europe set in over 3,000 acres of beautiful rolling countryside. One of the most iconic features of Rutland Water is Normanton Church which was saved from demolition back in 1970, when plans were outlined to flood the area to create the Rutland Water. The church now sits safely on a new level of rubble topped with concrete above water level, on its own peninsular. It is a spectacular sight to behold and creates a picture-perfect backdrop for your Rutland selfie.\n\nLINCOLN & INTERNATIONAL BOMBER COMMAND CENTRE\nOne of Europe's finest cathedral cities, Lincoln has a vibrant and contemporary edge, rich in history combined with independent boutique shopping, great arts and culture and a wealth of places to eat and drink. The city is walkable for visitors with good mobility - the main shopping and tourist area stretches from St Marks Shopping centre in the south up to the Cathedral Quarter - known locally as 'Uphill'. Steep Hill, voted Britain's Great Street, connects 'downhill' and 'uphill' Lincoln. Yes, it is steep as its name suggests, but well worth the walk! Later there is a visit to the International Bomber Command Centre (IBCC), which opened in 2018 just south of Lincoln and is a memorial and interpretation centre telling the story of the RAF Bomber Command. A place of recognition, remembrance and reconciliation, the centre features a 31-metre tall spire and memorial walls with the names of all those who lost their lives serving or supporting Bomber Command during the Second World War.\n\nNEWARK-ON-TRENT & SOUTHWELL WORHOUSE\nOff to Newark-on-Trent, a historic gem of a town boasting one of the finest Georgian market squares in the UK. It is also home to the excellent National Civil War Centre (admission not included - approx. £8.50 pp in 2025), the remains of a dramatic riverside castle and some lovely independent shops and coffee shops. Enjoy free time in Newark before continuing to Southwell for a sobering lesson in social history at the atmospheric Southwell Workhouse. It offers a fascinating vignette of how the poor lived as you explore the rooms, vegetable garden and yards and find out about the role of the workhouse and how it evolved through time.\n\nDay 5 - After a relaxed breakfast, it is time to head south with a stop ( time permitting), in lovely Stamford, widely regarded as one of the finest stone towns in England. The pretty facades of the town are favourites with film and television producers. Stamford was used as Meryton in the 2005 Pride & Prejudice film and has also appeared in Middlemarch. Continue back to interchange to arrive home later on this evening.Your Hotel
THE BARN HOTEL, MARSTON Nr Grantham\nLocated in the heart of the beautiful Lincolnshire countryside, approximately one mile from the A1, this comfortable 3* hotel offers an onsite leisure club with a spa, fitness centre, swimming pool, sauna, steam room and jetted hot tub.\n\nThe comfortable guestrooms have free high-speed WiFi, spacious desk, ironing facilities, safe, flat screen TV and tea / coffee making facilities. There is a stylish bar and restaurant as well as some outdoor seating area. \n\nThere is a lift in part of the hotel and there are also ground floor rooms.