Welcome to the ‘The Historic Houses & Heritage of Lancashire & the Lake District’ tour. You can view full details of this tour, share this tour with others, pay your final balance before departure and, once you have departed on your holiday, share your group photos and write reviews.
Itinerary
Day 1
We depart by private executive coach from Worthy Lane Coach Park at Winchester. En route to our hotel we visit the National Trust’s Little Moreton Hall in Cheshire. Begun in 1504 and completed 100 years later, Little Moreton Hall is regarded as the finest example of a timber-framed moated house in the country. We continue to the 4* Mercure Dunkenhalgh Hotel and Spa on the outskirts of Blackburn for a four night stay on a half board basis.
Day 2
On arrival in Manchester with our Blue Badge guide this morning we visit the National Trust’s Castlefield Viaduct, a Victorian steel construction that has been transformed into a green ‘sky garden’ in the heart of Manchester. We then visit the Science and Industry Museum in Manchester. Here we journey through a century of innovation and experience the industrial beauty of a Grade II listed building, once a hub for shipping global products, and now home to one of the UK's largest collections of historic engines that tell the story of how industry in Manchester shaped the world as we know it today. We continue this afternoon to the National Trust’s Gawthorpe Hall. This imposing house, set in the heart of urban Lancashire, contains fabulously opulent interiors created by Sir Charles Barry in the 19th Century.
Day 3
Our Blue Badge guide meets us at our hotel this morning and accompanies us throughout the day. This morning we enjoy a journey on the Lakeside & Haverthwaite Steam Railway, taking us through the Levan Valley, one of the Lake District’s most beautiful valleys. We then join a 45 minute one way cruise to Bowness-on-Windermere, affording us wonderful views of the Lake and its shores. We spend some time at leisure for lunch at Bowness-on- Windermere. This afternoon we visit the National Trust’s Sizergh Castle and Gardens, a medieval house extended in Elizabethan times and surrounded by beautiful grounds. With more than 750 years of history and centuries old portraits sitting alongside modern family photos, this medieval house is still home to the Strickland family. Inside the impressive wood panelling culminates in the exquisite patterned panels of the Inlaid Chamber. The house is surrounded by rich gardens and a 1,600 acre estate, combining a newly created wetland, limestone pastures, orchards and semi natural woodland, all inhabited by a rich variety of wildlife. There is a unique and very special limestone rock garden, where the colours change with the seasons.
Day 4
With our Blue Badge guide we enjoy a morning guided tour of Pendle Witch Country. Dominated by the dark brooding mass of Pendle Hill, the area is famous for its grimly fiendish association with the Witches of Pendle. The trials of the Pendle witches in 1612 are among the most famous witch trials in English history, and some of the best recorded of the 17th century. The 12 accused lived in the area surrounding Pendle Hill in Lancashire, and were charged with the murders of ten people by the use of witchcraft. We firstly visit the beautiful village of Downham, where ‘Whistle Down the Wind’, and ‘Born and Bred’ were filmed. We continue to the Pendle Heritage Centre and Museum, dedicated to the history and heritage of Pendle, and the story of the Pendle Witches. After spending some time at leisure for lunch in Clitheroe, we visit the National Trust’s Rufford Old Hall, home to the Hesketh family for almost 500 years. Built in the 1530’s, Rufford Old Hall is one of Lancashire’s finest Tudor buildings, and the Great Hall hosted theatrical productions in Shakespeare’s time. Outside, the Victorian style garden comes alive with colour and texture during the summer months.
Day 5
After checking out of our hotel, and en route home we enjoy a guided tour of the Wedgwood Factory where we see craftsmen at work, utilising unique artisan skills and techniques homed over 250 years at Barlaston. The visit offers an in depth view of all aspects of quality ceramic production including casting, figure making, pattern decorating and hand painting, ornamentation and gilding. Time is then at leisure at the attraction, and you may choose to explore the V&A Wedgwood Collection. Designs and wares saved by the factory and Wedgwood family grew into one of the most important industrial collections in the world. Comprising over 175,000 works of art, ceramics, manuscripts and photographs, the V&A Wedgwood Collection documents production up to the present day, showcasing innovations in taste and fashion spanning over 260 years. Whilst at the Wedgwood Factory we enjoy an included early Afternoon Tea. Taking carefully selected comfort stops en route, we return back to our original pick up point.
NB Please note we reserve the right to alter the above itinerary if required for operational reasons - final itinerary and travel documentation will be sent approximately 10 days prior to departure. Given the historic nature of the places visited, a certain degree of walking will be involved, and this holiday may not be suitable for those with mobility problems. Price based on twin share. Minimum numbers required. Normal booking conditions apply.
Featuring
4* hotel
Half board accommodation
All excursion travel & guided tours included
Entrance fees to non-NT properties included
Train & boat excursions on Day 3 included
Afternoon tea included on Day 5
Blue Badge guide on Days 2 to 4
Executive coach throughout
Driver & guide gratuities included
Little Moreton Hall
Castlefield Viaduct
Science & Industry Museum
Gawthorpe Hall
Lakeside & Haverthwaite Steam Railway
Cruise on Lake Windermere
Sizergh Castle & Gardens
Pendle Witch Country – guided tour
Downham
Pendle Heritage Centre & Museum
Rufford Old Hall
Wedgewood Factory – guided tour & included Afternoon Tea
Hotel
We stay four nights at the 4* Mercure Dunkenhalgh Hotel and Spa (https://all.accor.com/hotel/6617/index.e n.shtml) on the outskirts of Blackburn. Facilities at the hotel include a restaurant, bar, and an indoor swimming pool. All of our allocated Classic Rooms are en suite and feature television, hairdryer, and tea & coffee making facilities. A set 3 course dinner will be served on the first evening, and a choice 3 course dinner will be served on the remaining three nights.
Extras
Single room supplement £119
Insurance (including Covid cover) £36
Entrance fees to National Trust properties (free to NT members)
Lunches on Days 1 to 4
Optional Excursions
All excursion travel & guided tours included
