Walworth Castle & Durham

Surrounded by the rolling countryside and beautiful woodlands of County Durham, your holiday begins today as you arrive at Walworth Castle in Darlington. This dignified castle is a 12th-century relic that has since been converted into a characterful hotel, making it an ideal base for a holiday that delves into the history of the north of England. Set among 18 acres of stunning grounds and within reach of the region's most fascinating sights, this castle hotel is our historic home for the next five nights.

After checking in and meeting the Tour Manager, there's time to wander through the surrounding lawns and woodlands or look at the artefacts, including suits of armour, throughout the castle. We reconvene at the on-site restaurant this evening for the first dinner together of our holiday.

• Dinner

After breakfast, a coach transfer takes us to Durham for a fascinating guided tour of this beautiful city. Among other sights, our tour reveals the Romanesque cathedral, the 11th-century castle and the Town Hall in the Castle, and the Cathedral complex, which boasts UNESCO World Heritage status.

This afternoon is free to continue exploring Durham at your own pace, discovering its maze of cobbled streets lined with historic buildings. As a vibrant university city, Durham offers many attractions, including an indoor market, unique speciality shops, art galleries, museums, and gardens where you can relax and enjoy the views. There's also an excellent choice of places to find lunch, from cosy cafés with homemade treats to pubs with hearty meals.

At the end of the afternoon, our coach transports us back to the hotel, where we dine this evening.

• Breakfast, Dinner

This morning is another chance to step back in time as we begin our day at the Locomotion museum in Shildon, County Durham, the world's very first railway town. Sited at the workplace of Timothy Hackworth, railway pioneer, the museum tells the story of the world's first public railway, the Stockton and Darlington Railway, which opened in 1825 with a steam train hauled by Locomotion No 1. There is time to explore here before our journey through the ages continues, landing in 1913 as we drive to the Beamish Museum.

This intriguing museum showcases the history and heritage of the region through reconstructed buildings, exhibits, and interactive displays. Life-sized replicas of period locations are accurate down to the finest detail. The Edwardian Town features recreations of a typical inn, co-operative store, sweet shop, bank and dentist. You can also discover a recreated mining village with a colliery, an Edwardian railway station with a steam railway, a Victorian farm, and a luxurious manor house.

After free time to look around at leisure, we transfer back to the hotel, where there's time to relax before dinner.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Following a leisurely breakfast, we set off by coach to discover the beautiful Yorkshire Dales, starting with a visit to the Wensleydale Creamery. Home of the famous Yorkshire Wensleydale cheese, there's time to look around the museum, watch a cheese-making demonstration, or visit the gift shop, where you'll find plenty of award-winning cheeses.

After this visit, the coach takes us to Hawes, a peaceful market town with traditional stone houses linked by charming cobbled lanes. Enjoy free time to find lunch independently before we continue to Leyburn for our next adventure, a ride aboard the Wensleydale Railway. This nostalgic rail journey takes us through the countryside to Leeming Bar, hauled by a steam or diesel locomotive.

Rejoining our coach at the end of the afternoon in Leeming Bar, we travel back to our hotel, arriving in time for dinner.

• Breakfast, Dinner

We travel back to Roman times this morning on a visit to one of Britain's most famous monuments, Hadrian's Wall, built by the Romans to protect their empire south of the wall. Travelling by train from Darlington station to Hexham, via Newcastle, we visit Chesters Roman Fort and Museum. You are free to wander around this cavalry fort, which has well-preserved baths and a steam room, and learn more about the site in its museum.

Later, our coach takes us to Hexham Abbey. Enjoy free time to have lunch and explore this stunning Grade I-listed monastery dedicated to St Andrew. The 12th-century building is known for its stained glass, historical significance and quiet ambience.

We return to our hotel by coach at the end of the day, gathering for the final dinner of our tour this evening.

• Breakfast, Dinner

The tranquillity of County Durham and Northumberland has set a magnificent backdrop for this getaway. We explored heritage-filled destinations and looked back in time at some of the most impressive historic sites and museums in the region. These adventures were paired with equally historic accommodations, our 12th-century castle hotel.

Our holiday draws to a close here after breakfast. Upon checking out of the hotel, it's time to make your way home, or you could continue discovering the treasures of this historic region of England on your own.

• Breakfast