Description
HIGHLIGHTS: Beamish Open Air Museum, Durham, Shildon and the National Rail Museum, Weardale Railway, Dales Visitor Centre.
GOLD TOUR: Enjoy extra benefits on Gold Holidays, see below for details.
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.
Grand UK Gold
Grand UK Gold is an exciting concept in luxury coach holidays and already a proven success amongst our travellers. Our state-of-the-art coaches, in their stunning black and gold livery, have ushered in a new era in luxury coach travel, re-writing the rules and raising the standard of quality coach travel.
But it is not just arriving in style that has defined Grand UK Gold - you will find other exclusive benefits too, including being escorted by our best Tour Managers, specially selected hotels of a three and four star standard, thoughtful little extras, and a commemorative photograph to mark the occasion.
State-of-the-art coaches include:
★Extra leg room and comfort
★Luxury leather upholstered reclining seats
★Free Wi-Fi and USB ports
★Level and easy access to the WC/washroom
★Climate control
★Panoramic windows for maximum view
★On-board Sat Nav to track your journey
★Driver-eye camera to view the road ahead
★On-board library selection
Gold accommodation includes:
★ Hotels of a three or four star standard
★ Great food and service
★ Special hotelwelcome reception
★ Gold welcome bag
★ Top Tour Managers and Tour Drivers
★ Commemorative photograph
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.