History & Houses
of Northumbria

This was a really excellent tour, made special by our amazing guide. She was like a walking encyclopaedia of knowledge about the North East and was able to answer all the questions we put to her without needing to look anything up. She is such an outstanding ambassador for the region! And our driver really looked out for our welfare by driving carefully and skilfully and by making sure that we were all at ease and knew exactly what was going to happen and when. They made an excellent team and worked really well together. Thank you!

SM, Ascot May 2023

Yesterday I returned from our tour to Northumbria departing 18th May. I don’t usually do such holidays but have to say that it was excellent. Even the weather was amazing. Our coach driver was incredible. How he got the coach through The Bowes Museum gate was magic and he got a well deserved round of applause. Our Blue Guide is a  walking advert for Northumbria. She has a wealth of knowledge which she obviously enjoys sharing, and is very proud of her area. She did not appear to have notes a very praiseworthy and impressive thing. Thank you to you all.

PC, Maidenhead May 2023

Just to let you know that all your hard work organising our holiday to Northumbria paid off. Everyone had a great time on the tour to Northumbria and we were even blessed with good weather. A big thank you to you for all your hard work in organising what was a really great holiday. We had several members who had never been on holiday with us before and they were all delighted with the experience. Very best wishes, 

Maureen, September 2021 

I write, having just returned from this beautiful holiday in Northumbria, with your company. It was of course, excellently planned, & needless to say we were very well looked after by out group organisers. The lady who was our local blue badge guide was not only an excellent & knowledgeable guide but most pleasant company & our driver wonderful negotiating the narrow gates & lanes as well as the main roads! The staff at our hotel were helpful & delightful. People are very fast to complain when things go wrong but not always so rapid to say thank you when things go well, so here is a most heartfelt thank you to everyone involved.

AB, August 2021

We have just returned from the U3A group visit to Northumbria. Everyone had a wonderful time – it was so good to travel again. We all felt perfectly safe and the hotel adopted good hygiene practices. Our driver and Blue Badge Guide were excellent. It is hard to select a highlight, but for us it was the boat trip around The Farne Islands where we saw many birds and seals. We couldn't resist a group photo at the Angel of The North. Our thanks to everyone involved.

Janet & Dan L, July 2021

We arrived back safely on Friday night after a wonderful holiday to Northumbria. Everything ran so smoothly thanks to your brilliant organisation. The hotel was excellent with very good food and superb service, such friendly staff. Every venue we visited ran like clockwork. I think staff everywhere were so pleased to have visitors again. Although we could not get bookings for Lindisfarne Castle we all agreed that the Priory was the most important site to visit. We were able to go into Gertrude Jekyll's walled garden and the weather was lovely that day so everyone was happy. The coach driver was excellent, nothing was too much trouble, and of course our guide exceeded all expectations - absolutely brilliant! Thank you so much from all of us for the tremendous effort that you put into making our holiday work, which was way beyond normal expectations. I am already getting bookings for next year flooding in and I do hope that we will work together again.

TS, Chairman, May 2021

Just around five months in lockdown and there like a light at the end of the tunnel was our U3A Northumbria Tour. Our numbers diminished but Tailored Travel guided us along the way and eventually 21 intrepid seniors said let’s go we need something to look forward to. Our coach was very comfortable and the driver was excellent. The hotel was ready with all the Covid measures in place. They greeted us with great enthusiasm. We had the ground floor of the hotel dedicated to our tour. Nothing was too much trouble and the meals were good fresh cooked food served with a smile. Our guide worked so hard and after not working for 5 months she was raring to go. What a font of knowledge she was without being too much like a lecturer. She also included some little extras like the Angel of the North photo stop which was on everyone’s wish list. Tailored Travel’s team were excellent and when venues failed to open, Sandy rearranged, with my approval, other venues which were equally interesting, if not in some cases better. I was consulted at every step of the way. It was not a stressful experience at all. Communication was second to none. We felt totally safe at all times and hands were never so clean. In fact, we had so much sanitiser gel we could have bathed in it.! Everyone had a brilliant holiday and came back with new friends, a head full of memories, and a story to tell of their intrepid adventures in the North East. Thank you Tailored Travel for a fantastic holiday.

SC, Outings Convenor, September 2020

Thank you for organising such a wonderful holiday in Northumbria. The hotel was great and the staff were outstanding. The itinerary was well planned and we fitted so much in. So glad that most of did the boat trip to Holy Island, the Arctic Terns, the puffins and the seals were a delight! The holiday was so successful that by the time we got home, I had almost a coachful of people wishing to book for our next holiday.

VF, Hoddesdon July 2018

Firstly my thanks to you and Tailored Travel for such an efficient service. We had no problems on tour. Our hotel was excellent and more than exceeded our expectations. Many of the rooms have been refurbished to a high standard. Staff were attentive and helpful. The places we visited were enjoyed by all members of the party. Wayne was an excellent driver, steady and considerate. Helped to look after any of the group with minor problems. As for our Blue Badge guide, I cannot sing her praises too high. She had an easy manner, clear speech and a vast knowledge, not only of historic properties but also of the industry and commerce of the county. Once again my thanks for all your help.

AC, Budleigh Salterton July 2017

I need to tell you that we had an absolutely wonderful trip and that everything went perfectly. The hotel was excellent and the staff were brilliant. Jan was a superb Blue Badge Guide and we were delighted to have the wonderful Tony as our driver again - we would certainly like to have him on our next UK trip. The participants were very complimentary about every aspect of the trip and everybody had a wonderful time. Thank you very much, Petra, for organising it so brilliantly.

RL, Twickenham June 2017

We have already spoken about our recent holiday to Northumberland but I wanted to formally write to say a huge thank you to everyone at Tailored Travel. We could not fault the standard of the rooms, the food and the friendliness of the staff both in the hotel and in the restaurant. They even brought a kitchen porter in early to help with our luggage which was greatly appreciated. During the holiday I was frequently asked ‘where are we going next year Sonia’ which speaks for itself. Petra was so helpful before the holiday and it is always a pleasure to work with Damian. I look forward to next year's holiday.

SP, Telford September 2015

Hotel and the driver were superb and our Blue Badge guide was really, really excellent - as a local person she told us so much that nobody else would know and the duo made my role so much easier. We would not have enjoyed it all so much without her. Thank you so much for all your help along the way!!! So thank you - and as my late husband always said - "Well done". Now looking forward to planning our trip to Holland next May!

RT, Bishop’s Stortford October 2014

I am happy to report that the whole trip to Northumbria was a huge success, which particularly pleased me as it was my first tour as organiser and I had some big shoes to fill. Starting with the coach and driver, absolutely faultless in all respects. As for the Blue Badge Guide, Kate, she was also really, really appreciated, and was able to combine great knowledge of the area and venues with an excellent sense of humour, a fund of anecdotes, and a great management ability. I have been on a good many coach tours and have rarely heard such compliments paid by the travellers, who are quite insistent that if we ever return she should be our guide. The hotel was a real find, the only problem being the quantities of food which defeated some of us. Real northern hospitality from the word go from the reception staff though particularly to the kitchen and waiting staff. Frankly we were surprised that this was only a 3* hotel. On to the venues. You don’t need me to tell you about Harewood, Alnwick, Cragside, Durham and Lindisfarne. All well known and superb. As for the others, the real find was the Shipley Gallery, only small but a real treasure house and we stayed much longer than anticipated. Kate also took us to look at the Angel of the North and then on for a wander round the Tyne Quays, with a look at the bridges and the Baltic gallery. I had taken a bit of a flier on the Yorkshire Sculpture Park and was uncertain how it would suit our group, but as with the Shipley we left wanting more! So, all in all a great trip, a great price and a great start to what I hope will be an enduring relationship with TT. Wouldn’t have happened without your skill and care, and that of all at TT. Please tell Michael I will be in touch with him when I have recovered from this one! Many thanks again.

CC, King’s Lynn September 2014

We had a lovely trip, made memorable with such good weather. We really enjoyed Harewood en route and even though it was a long drive back to Durham and Newcastle it meant, not only did we have two welcome late starts on the weekend but it set St Cuthbert and the historic area in context for the weekend visits. Alnwick, Cragside, Lindisfarne and Bamburgh were all enjoyed as were the two guides, who seemed to enjoy our curiosity. The Bowes Museum was superb. Everybody joined in with everything. They were all impressed by the coach and the lovely helpful friendly staff at the hotel, also the very good evening meals.

ED, Cardiff September 2014

I thought I would just let you know that our Northumberland trip was a great success. No complaints about rooms or food. Everyone enjoyed the variety of places visited, and of course we had splendid weather. Our coach driver was an absolute gem. Our two Blue Badge guides were excellent, whose knowledge of the area was outstanding. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves. Many thanks for Michael and Nicola's help in organising this trip for us.

AT, Woodford Green September 2014

Just to say we had a SMASHING time in Northumberland. Thank you all very much for arranging it. Your Blue Badge Guide up there, Jan is absolutely superb. Every single one of the 32 who went came up to me independently and told me that she was the very best guide we had ever had bar none, and that includes all the 'specialist' professors etc we have had from ACE. (She was absolutely *ace* herself!!!) Apart from the depth and scope of her knowledge she had a terrific sense of humour and is an absolute gem so you must send all your other NADFAS groups up to Northumberland as soon as possible. Also, the coach company were excellent too, with a lovely lad (Carl, the son of the owner) who was an excellent driver and always so good humoured with the vagaries of timing of the group etc. I can't recommend the pair of them highly enough. Many thanks for all your efforts on our behalf and we are now looking forward to Kent in 2015!

CA, Woodbury June 2103

I have just returned from the History and Houses of Northumberland tour with my National Trust which I really enjoyed. It was an awful lot to pack into such a short time but thanks to our driver, Scott, it was managed with ease. Please convey a special thanks to him for his help, especially with the wheelchair.

JM, Newbury September 2013

Our Northumberland tour went very well and everybody thoroughly enjoyed it. The Park Head Hotel is very good: friendly and attentive staff, very good food and comfortable. Kate, our Blue Badge Guide, was excellent. Her wide ranging commentaries, descriptions and explanations were well paced and greatly appreciated. Scott, our Driver, was very attentive and helpful and all had good journeys home. The wheel chairs and motorised scooters you arranged were much appreciated and well used. We had good volunteers to help with the manual wheelchairs! Thank you, Nicola, for your excellent planning and arrangements and your very good communications which all made things go smoothly towards a lovely holiday.

J & GO, Newbury September 2013

We are writing to thank Tailored Travel for your excellent organisation of our holiday, staying in Durham. All your staff were very helpful and efficient, especially Nicola, who was responsible for our day-to-day arrangements. The whole trip went very smoothly and we, as organisers, were able to relax and enjoy the holiday. Many of our fellow holidaymakers had not spent time in Northumberland before and were impressed by the beauty of the county. Our Blue Badge Guide was so knowledgeable and helpful that she made the daily excursions interesting and enjoyable. Throughout our holiday the driver, Nigel, looked after us very well, both by his excellent driving and his friendliness and cheerful demeanour. Everyone was happy with their accommodation at the hotel in Durham, which is, of course, a beautiful city. We enjoyed the walking tour and the Cathedral. Thanks once again for your seamless arrangements for this holiday.

MD & IR, Cheshunt June 2013

Click here for a detailed review of the tour in June 2013.

MW, Broxbourne June 2013

I write to say a big thank you for helping me with the holiday to Durham. Our guide was an absolute treasure - her knowledge and love of the county was superb. The content of the holiday appeared to be well liked with interest to everyone. The hotel was excellent. Mervyn, the coach driver, was most pleasant, helpful and obliging. Many thanks for all your help. I did enjoy arranging the trip - even though I had a few sleepless nights!

MB, Yeovil September 2012

I just want to congratulate you on a very well organised trip. The driver was very good and very accommodating. The Blue Badge guide was superb. Most charming and so knowledgeable. Absolutely splendid. I have no hesitation in booking with you or indeed recommending you to a friend.

PS, Northampton September 2012

I would like to thank all the staff at Tailored Travel for organising the wonderful holiday in Northumberland and providing us with an excellent driver and entertaining and informative guide.

MM-J, Bath July 2012

All 28 of us thoroughly enjoyed our trip to Northumberland. On behalf of my fellow travellers I’d like to thank you very much indeed for organising everything so beautifully. There were no hitches, the itinerary was excellent and just right for our age group. The hotel was good, its staff ever so polite and helpful and the food excellent. Jan and Kate, the guides, spoke clearly, answered all our questions and Jan particularly made us laugh a lot. Also Wayne, our driver, was perfect. Once again many thanks.

GZ-F, Surbiton May 2012

Click here for a detailed review of the tour in April 2012

KP, Hayling Island April 2012

I am writing to thank you for a splendid itinerary which made our trip to Northumbria so successful. Everyone has said it was a most enjoyable holiday. Jan, as the Blue Badge guide, was superb and she and the coach driver made a good team.

JM, Leigh-on-Sea June 2010

You did it again, a wonderful holiday to Northumbria. Each holiday gets better and better and, of course, you ordered the weather. Alan, the Blue Badge guide was excellent. His knowledge of the area was great and he gave just the right amount of information. The driver was also excellent. He was courteous, caring and the smoothest driver yet. The hotel had a good position, excellent rooms and was very comfortable. Many thanks for all your help - it ran really well and made my life easier.

MW, Redhill May 2010

Thanks for the excellent arrangements made to last week’s tour to Northumberland. It was a great success and this was due to an excellent itinerary planned in conjunction with your ever patient staff, wonderful accommodation, a first class guide and a great driver to add to our enjoyment. Thank you and well done!

AM, Cheam May 2009