2025 - Gems of Northumbria

Stretching from the unspoiled wilds of the Northumberland National Park to the outstanding natural beauty of the Heritage Coast, Northumbria has everything for a perfect holiday. Lush rolling countryside, spectacular forests, glorious sandy beaches, quaint villages and historic market towns mingle with mighty castles and ancient monuments that bear testament to the bloody battles and warring clans of a bygone era.\n\n4 HOUR TOUR OF VERA FILMING LOCATIONS - ITV'S BEST LOVED DRAMA IS INCLUDED IN SEPTEMBER TOUR!Highlights
- 4 nights in central Newcastle- First & last nights with dinner included- Second & third nights breakfast only- Tour the Dramatic Northumberland National Park- Visit to Holy Island (tides permitting)- Visit & entry to Alnwick Castle- Visit & entry to Birds of Prey Centre- 4 Hour Guided Tour of Vera's crime scenes (September tour only)- Porterage

Your Itinerary
Day 1 - After joining your holiday coach, heading northwards with suitable stops for lunch and refreshments expect to arrive at your hotel late afternoon for 4 nights. Arrival night and last night include breakfast & dinner. Second & third nights are breakfast only to give you the opportunity to sample the local cuisine from this central hotel.Days 2 - 4 At leisure in Newcastle with 2 Included and 1 optional excursion (May & June 2024) 3 Included excursions (September only)INCLUDED EXCURSIONS\nAlnwick Castle & Holy Island (All Tours)From broomsticks to bookshops, tree houses to cherry blossoms, and jousts to dragons, you can't miss the magic of the cobbled market town of Alnwick . It's impressive castle is known as 'the Windsor of the North' and also the location for the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry (entry included). Depending on the tides, cross the causeway to Holy Island. Don't fall into the trap of thinking there's nothing to do on the semi-isolated island of Holy Island. Once you cross the causeway at low tide you will be pleasantly surprised by the splendour of the place. Discover the history of the Lindisfarne Gospels at the ancient priory ruin, walk along to Lindisfarne Castle to enjoy amazing views of the mainland. Why not buy some of the locally brewed mead whilst there too!Northumberland National Park. (All Tours)Head into the dramatic Northumberland National Park, enjoy the stunning scenery as you cross the moors heading to Kielder Water. Calling in at the Tower Knowe Visitor Centre on the way. Discover the area's rich history at the Explore Centre.Continue to the Kielder Water Birds of Prey Centre (entry included) based at Leaplish Waterside Park, where the centre cares for a whole host of birds including owls, falcons and vultures as well as fallow deer and wallabies.OPTIONAL EXCURSION\nCorbridge & Hexham (May, June & July only)As far back as 1827 Corbridge was rated as a shopper's paradise, a reputation it retains today. Once a garrison town for Roman soldiers and a safe crossing place over the Tyne and you can view the remains of this ancient Roman Site on the outskirts of the village. Hexham, once the haunt of marauding Vikings 1300 years ago, nowadays it proudly holds the title of England's favourite market town - as voted by Country Life magazine. Views of Hadrian's Wall as you travel along the old road back to the hotel.\n\nIncluded Excursion for September only\nGuided Vera Tour.Ann Cleeves' brilliant and no-nonsense DCI Vera Stanhope (Actress Brenda Blethyn) in her trademark mac and rain hat has attracted a following of fans all over the world in ITV's best-loveddetective drama. Now fans will have the chance to follow in her footsteps on this four-hour guided Vera tour by coach. The award winning crime drama is both set in and filmed in Newcastle upon Tyne and throughout Northumberland in the North East England, the Vera tour will focus on visiting some of the most memorable crime scenes and regular haunts of Vera. Free time in Newcastle after.Day 5 - After breakfast, return homewards, arriving back at your local joining points early to mid-evening.\n\n\nMaldron Hotel, Newcastle
Situated in Newcastle City Centre, the Maldron Hotel features free WiFi and a private court yard. Located in a prime central location with all of the beautiful city's attractions right on the doorstep, 4 star Maldron Hotel has a restaurant and a bar.Bedrooms come with a desk, flat-screen TV, tea/coffee making facilities, an en suite bathroom with complimentary toiletries and some rooms feature city views.Directly opposite the hotel is Intu Eldon Square and The Gate leisure complex is close by.\n\nLift to all floors