Holy Island, Alnwick Castle, Durham & Angel of the North

Beautiful Northumberland is home to rugged scenery, iconic landmarks, and unspoilt seascapes. From our base in the vibrant city of Newcastle, we explore Alnwick Castle, one of Britain's most impressive castles, along with the Holy Island of Lindisfarne, an island and quaint village which carries a fascinating heritage within its tidal walls. Visits to the famous Angel of the North and the historic city of Durham round off this lovely short break to the unique North East.What's Included?
IncludesReturn coach travel2 nights at the Leonardo Hotel, Newcastle Quayside (JG3 rating) with dinner & breakfastExcursion to the Holy Island of Lindisfarne & Alnwick CastleEn-route visits to the Angel of the North & Durham

Itinerary
Day 1\n\nFrom a morning pickup in your local area we travel by coach to our hotel. On the way, we make a short photo stop at the Angel of the North, one of the most famous sculptures in the UK. This impressive steel sculpture has been welcoming visitors to Gateshead since 1998 and, at 54m wide and 20m high (with a wingspan as big as a jumbo jet!); it is believed to be the largest angel sculpture in the world. After checking in to the hotel, we enjoy dinner and our first night's stay.\n\n\nDay 2\n\nWe start the day with a visit to the Holy Island of Lindisfarne, lying just a few miles off Northumberland's coast. Only accessible twice a day at low tide, this beautifully unspoilt island is where Christianity first took hold in Britain and is also home to a picturesque 16th-century castle and an array of wildlife.\n\nAfterwards we head to Alnwick Castle, still home to the Duke of Northumberland and his family and the second largest inhabited castle in England. The lavish State Rooms contain an eclectic array of furniture, ceramics and art collected by the Percy family for over 700 years. Alnwick also featured in the hugely popular TV series Downton Abbey and several of the Harry Potter films. Please note access to the adjacent Alnwick Garden is not included. Later, the coach takes us back to our hotel in time for dinner.\n\nPlease note: access to Holy Island is limited by tides therefore visiting times may vary.\n\n\nDay 3\n\nFollowing breakfast at the hotel, we check out and depart for home. We stop en route in Durham, a handsome university city set on the peaceful banks of the River Wear. It is also home to an array of historic buildings, most notably the Norman cathedral and the 11th-century castle; both UNESCO World Heritage Sites. After a few hours at leisure we continue our journey home in the afternoon.

Holy Island of Lindisfarne
Holy Island is a must-visit on any break to Northumberland, accessed by a causeway and enjoying a unique sense of isolation when cut off by the tide.
Steeped in religious history and culture, this unspoilt island is the birthplace of the Lindisfarne Gospels but you don't need a religious reason to visit this area, with dramatic scenery provided by 16th-century Lindisfarne Castle and the surrounding wildlife creating wonderful photographic opportunities.
A trip to the Holy Island of Lindisfarne is the highlight of any coach break to Northumberland.

Alnwick Castle
Nestled in the medieval market town of Alnwick, Alnwick Castle is one of the UK's best preserved castles, still inhabited by the current Duke and Duchess of Northumberland.
Alnwick Castle is steeped in history, and its stunning architecture has been featured in many films, most notably as the Hogwarts School of Wizardry from the first two Harry Potter movies as well Downton Abbey and Robin Hood Prince of Thieves.
The castle is a fantastic attraction for the whole family, from plenty of Harry Potter themed activities and a terrifying live action dungeon to grand State Rooms, a diverse range of exhibitions and magnificent Garden, featuring poisonous plants!

Newcastle
A prestigious city with the best of both historical and modern attractions, Newcastle-upon-Tyne is one of the largest cities in the UK and is packed full of things to see and do for visitors on our coach breaks, from culture-ridden museums and cathedrals to spectacular shopping opportunities.
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Durham
The heritage city of Durham is a real gem in the North East and a great place to visit all year round.
Overlooked by its World Heritage Castle and spectacular Cathedral, the city is a magnificent place, steeped in history and culture as well as a vibrant shopping destination.
see moreLeonardo Hotel, Newcastle Quayside (JG3 rating) Hotel
Leonardo Hotel, Newcastle Quayside (JG3 rating)\n\nThe Leonardo Hotel, Newcastle Quayside is conveniently located overlooking the Tyne and the Millennium Bridge. The hotel features spacious en-suite rooms with tea and coffee-making facilities as well as a relaxing restaurant and bar.\n\nUpgrade to a river view room for £18 per person, per stay