Luxury Traveller - Durham's Coastline & Castles

Sunday

We drive north, pausing for a suitable stop for lunch en-route, arriving at our hotel for our 4-night stay.

Monday

Our first visit today is Mount Grace Priory House & Gardens (EH) – An Arts and Crafts mansion, nestled among woodland, beautiful gardens and the remains of the best-preserved Carthusian priory in England. We will discover its secrets and stories on our guided tour this morning. We will then have some time at leisure in the historic market town of Richmond, situated in the heart of North Yorkshire on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales. Our final stop of the day will be Richmond Castle (EH), one of the greatest Norman fortresses in Britain, where on our guided tour we will learn about where King Arthur is supposed to have slept and hear about the castle’s use during the First World War.

Tuesday

We begin our day by heading for the County Durham Coastline. Commencing at Noses Point – Once home to one of the biggest coal mines in Europe, where the beach was buried under 2 ½ million tonnes of colliery waste each year. The Beach has now been cleaned and is a spectacular haven for wildflowers and wildlife. We continue via Seaham to Whitburn, pausing at the Souter Lighthouse (NT). After pausing for lunch in South Shields we skirt inland to Washington Old Hall (NT) – a picturesque stone manor house and gardens with strong associations to the family of George Washington, first president of the United States.

Wednesday

Today we visit Durham with free time to explore this medieval city’s cobbled streets, packed with history, culture and stunning architecture, including the magnificent castle and cathedral.

Thursday

Departing after breakfast we visit nearby Hartlepool’s Historic Quay - home to Europe’s oldest floating warship, HMS Trincomalee. The ship was restored by the people of Hartlepool, so it is only fitting that it now makes up the centrepiece of the spectacular Historic Quay. Time to explore this superb visitor attraction which offers the sights, smells and sounds of the naval yesteryear before commencing our journey home after lunch.