Overview

A fabulous 5 day break based in the delightful spa town of Harrogate. We include a new and fascinating itinerary featuring entrance to lovely Harewood House, an evening guided tour of awesome Ripon Cathedral, the experience of the ‘Ripon Hornblower’ along with visits to idyllic Skipton, historic York and free time in Harrogate itself. (A greater number of single rooms are availble on this tour)

Your Accommodation:

The elegant 4 star Old Swan Hotel stands in the centre of the lovely town of Harrogate and is famed for being Agatha Christie’s hiding place during her disappearance in 1926. Each of the stylishly furnished ensuite bedrooms is equipped with tea & Coffee making facilities, a flat screen TV, a telephone, iron & ironing Board, a hairdryer, free wifi and are served by a lift. Public amenities include the wonderful Wedgwood Restaurant and the beautiful Swan Lounge & Bar.

Your Itinerary:

Our door to door service takes you to the waiting Club Class coach for the drive north. We make use of the motorways to reach Harrogate and the Old Swan Hotel with time to relax before dinner.

After a leisurely breakfast, we head to Harewood House, one of the Treasured Houses of England, set in the heart of rural Yorkshire. The house holds an impressive art collection including renaissance masterpieces, exquisite Thomas Chippendale furniture, all combined with 100 acres of Gardens including the renowned lakeside Bird Garden. This afternoon we head to the market town of Skipton, known as the ‘Gateway to the Dales’. The cobbled High Street leads up to church and the impressive 900 year old castle beyond. We return to our hotel with time to relax before dinner.

Another leisurely breakfast before our visit to historic York. We have the day to explore this fascinating city with lots of attractions including the National Railway Museum, the Jorvik Centre, the City Walls, the little streets and alleyways in the centre and not forgetting the magnificent Minster in addition to a whole host of cafes, restaurants, shops & boutiques. There is plenty here to suit all tastes. We return to our hotel, once again, with time to relax before dinner.

This morning is free for you to explore the town of Harrogate. Enjoy a lovely stroll through beautiful Valley Gardens, explore the delightful Victoria arcades for some retail therapy. Take a relaxing lunch in one of the many restaurants, cafes and bars or enjoy tea & cake at Betty’s Tea Room. This evening we enjoy an early dinner before tonight’s outing to Ripon where we have arranged a behind the scenes, guided tour of the awesome Ripon Cathedral. After our tour we make our way to the Market Square where we a privy to a unique and ancient tradition…..every night of the year without fail, a horn is blown at the four corners of the Obelisk in Ripon Market Place to set the ‘watch’ and then outside the house of the Mayor. This ceremony commemorates the time in the Middle Ages when Ripon’s first citizen, the Wakeman, was responsible for crime prevention in the city from 9 pm until dawn and had to compensate victims of burglary. We take a leisurely ride back to Harrogate for our final evening at the Old Swan Hotel.

Departing after breakfast, we make for home with suitable stops made along the way. We arrive back in our home areas after a an interesting and scenic break.

* Insurance Premiums are renewed from 1st January 2024.