NIDD HALL, YORKSHIRE

WHAT'S INCLUDED

Departure dater throughout 2008 & 2009
From 4 days 3 nights duration
Return Executive Coach Travel
Local pick up points of your choice
From 3 nights half board accommodation at the Warner property Nidd Hall in Yorkshire
Included excursion package - see below for suggested itinerary and inclusions
FREE Comprehensive Travel Insurance for selected departures

SUGGESTED ITINERARY 

Day 1 - Departing your selected pick up point we travel north stopping en route at Newstead Abbey (entrance included to House & Garden) where you can purchase lunch. Newstead is a beautiful historic house set in a glorious landscape of gardens and parkland within the heart of Nottinghamshire. Founded as a monastic house in the late twelfth century, Newstead became the seat of the Byron family in 1540. The Abbey's most famous owner, the poet Lord Byron sold the property in 1818 to his friend Colonel Thomas Wildman. Newstead Abbey remained a private country house until 1931, when it was presented to the Nottingham Corporation for the public to enjoy. You will have a couple of hours at your leisure here before we continue on to Yorkshire arriving at the hotel later today where having freshened up, dinner is included.

Day 2 - This morning we travel towards York where your first visit is to Castle Howard, a stunning privately owned house with spectacular gardens (entrance included), where you will have a couple of hours at your leisure to explore this magnificent stately home. We depart here later today and continue into York city centre where you will have the afternoon free to explore the famous 'Shambles' & city centre at your leisure. We return to the hotel in time to freshen up for dinner.

Day 3 - Today we travel to the market town of Skipton where the main street is lined with an array of stalls. Visitors from all over the region come here as it is one of the few remaining traditional markets which has a wonderful atmosphere. On arrival we include a canal boat trip on the Leeds Liverpool canal which takes you around the town centre, giving you a different perspective. You will have several hours at your leisure here to explore & maybe visit the historic Castle before continuing this afternoon to the Vistorian Spa town of Harrogate where you can visit the Roman baths, the Japanese Garden, take tea in the famous Betty's tearooms or just enjoy the surroundings, of what is still a very regal town.

Day4 - Today we head north and start the day with an included coffee and cake stop at an unusual venue, the Thorpe Farm Centre in Teesdale. The Peel House itself is very much the focal point within the centre and the lovingly restored 18th century Georgian Farm House holds many original features and has much period charm. The quaint gift rooms within are packed to the rafters with beautiful and unusual gifts. After this refreshment stop we continue onto Raby Castle (entrance included) whose profile could easily be subtitled: "A Tale of Two Families", as the story of the castle is so closely linked with the powerful Nevill and Vane families. It was the Nevills who built Raby Castle in the 14th century as an imposing fortress composed of a curtain wall with eight massive towers surrounding a central keep. The original defensive purposes of Raby Castle is emphasized by the fact that the only entrance is through a fortified gateway accessed by a narrow path across a moat. However, the moat has long been converted to a lake, and the curtain wall reduced to a simple parapet. The interior open to visitors today is a pleasant mix of 18th and 19th century styles, furnished in gilded elegance augmented by a variety of sporting prints and paintings. In the former medieval great hall the original minstrels gallery still stands, and some of the windows are original also. The original structure can be seen most clearly in the kitchens, which date to 1360. Having spent a leisurely couple of hours here where you can also purchase lunch you are joined by your guide as you continue into Durham, the city of Bishops, for your included guided tour predominantly on foot. After an exhilerating day, we return to Yorkshire where dinner is included @ Nidd Hall tonight.

Day 5 - This morning we check out of the hotel and start our journey south stopping for a brief visit of the Royal Armouries in Leeds before continuing onto Bakewell in Derbyshire which is an ancient town in the centre of the Peak District National Park that was founded in Saxon times. It is the home of the famous Bakewell Pudding and you will have time to purchase lunch here before your last leg of the journey, arriving home later in the day.

Nidd Hall Hotel is a Grade II listed hall in the grandest baronial style located in North Yorkshire. The extensive Victorian and Edwardian gardens provide the perfect surroundings for this atmospheric building. The modern facilities and activities that have been incorporated into this authentic setting will ensure that you enjoy your break to the fullest. The accommodation is of a high standard & facilities include a heated indoor swimming pool with spa pool, sauna and steam room and a fitness studio. Snooker, darts or billiards are a few of the indoor activities available. If you prefer the outdoors, you can partake in bowls, tennis, croquet or archery, simply stroll around the magnificent gardens, or take a boat out on the lake. After dinner enjoy the excellent entertainment provided by the resident band in the specially built cabaret venue. You will be able to listen to everything from jazz, rock, soul, and popular music to comedy.

PRICE & SUPPLEMENT

Price on application
No single supplement to a maximum of 6 rooms for sole use.

HOW TO BOOK

Choose your departure date
For your instant quote / more information:
Call Simply Groups on 01943 605999 or
click here to use our online enquiry form.

WE WILL DO THE REST