Heritage & History in County Durham

England's most beautiful Romanesque cathedral, a huge castle and a cobweb of hilly, cobbled streets, Durham is a beautiful city packed with history, culture and stunning architecture. The base for your holiday is the excellent 4* Redworth Hall Hotel set in the beautiful countryside of County Durham and there is an included visit to the impressive Bowes Museum in pretty Barnard Castle as well as a day out at the open-air Beamish Living Museum of the North.

Departure points to suit you...
Crusader Holidays uses an interchange system, taking place at either Beaconsfield Services (M40), South Mimms Services (M25/A1M) or Thurrock Services (M25).

Here you may have to change to your holiday coach and we are renowned for ensuring that this is smooth and efficient.

The holiday coaches typically depart from Beaconsfield Services at 11.15, Thurrock Services at around 09.30 and South Mimms Services at 10.30. Some customers find it more convenient to join direct at the interchange, please let is know when booking if this is the case.

*Due to increased operational costs, from Monday 16th October 2023 Dover, Folkestone, Canterbury & Ashford joining points will be subject to a £25.00 per person supplement on all 2024 UK Tours.

NOTE: Pick up points are a guide so please refer to your holiday confirmation for specific locations as details are subject to change.Highlights
- Hotel for 4 nights with breakfast & dinner- Porterage- Welcome tea/coffee & after dinner- Free use of the hotel leisure facilities- Visit to Barnard Castle- Entry to Bowes Museum- Day in Durham with river cruise- Visit & entrance to Beamish Museum

Itinerary
Day 1 - After joining your holiday coach, travel northwards with a lunch stop on the way. Arrive at your hotel late afternoon for 4 nights dinner, bed and breakfast

Days 2 - 4- At leisure with three included excursions

Barnard Castle & The Bowes Museum (entry included)
Head off to the charming Teesdale market town of Barnard Castle. The town is a haven for discerning shoppers who are sure to enjoy the many antique shops and independent retailers. The ruins of Barnard Castle sit on a cliff above the River Tees and from here visitors can enjoy wonderful views (English Heritage property - entrance not included). Just a short distance from the town centre is the excellent Bowes Museum, housed in a monumental French-style Chateau, funded by 19th-century industrialist John Bowes, and opened in 1892, this brainchild of his Parisian actress wife, Josephine, was built by French architect Jules Pellechet to display a collection the Bowes had travelled the world to assemble. One of the attractions is the marvellous 18th-century mechanical silver swan (currently awaiting restoration so that it can once again perform). The museum is surrounded by beautiful gardens and parkland. Entrance is included.

A Day in Durham with River Cruise ent named it as one of the best cities in the world to visit in 2020, and Condé Nast's Traveller magazine readers voted it the 'Best City in the UK'. Durham is a captivating city with winding cobbled streets and a prominent peninsula crowned with the dramatic Durham Cathedral and Castle World Heritage Site. Enjoy the unforgettable highlights of Durham on an included one hour cruise on the River Wear with spectacular views of the historic castle, cathedral and bridges. Enjoy time at leisure exploring the timeless quality of this quintessential old English University City, take some time out with a relaxing riverside walk or soak up the atmosphere with superb cafés, artisan workshops, boutiques, galleries and museums.

Beamish Museum - entry included
Touch, taste, hear, see and smell history on an unforgettable journey into the past at England's largest open-air museum. Set in 300 acres of beautiful Durham countryside, Beamish - The Living Museum of the North brings 200 years of English history to life. Hop on a tram and make your way around the vast museum: visit the 1900s town and watch traditional sweets being made in the sweet shop, then visit the dentist (if you dare!). Try a tasty treat from the Edwardian Bakery or a pint at the Sun Inn Pub, then step even further back in time to the 1800s and take a steam train ride through the Georgian landscape on replica locomotives. Immerse yourself in the 1900s at the Pit Village by going down a real mine and enjoying a traditional fish and chips at Davy's Fried Fish Shop. Staff are dressed in period costume, which makes the experience truly authentic.

Day 5- Travel southward to interchange with a comfort stop en route.Redworth Hall Hotel, Newton Aycliffe
4* Redworth Hall is a stunning 17th century Jacobean Manor House situated in the blissful tranquility of its own 26 acres of landscaped grounds. The hotel retains many original features including the magnificent Great Hall, an ornate staircase and lounges.

Modern guestrooms are tastefully decorated and feature tea/coffee making facilities. The Retreat Spa features a fitness studio, an indoor heated pool, poolside terrace and lounge.

All single rooms are doubles for sole use.

Lift in the main building.

Hotels
• Redworth Hall Hotel (Newton Aycliffe) - View Information