Lake District National Park

England's largest national park. Two nights based in Windermere with time to explore mountain passes, stone circles, literary landmarks and England's largest lake.

York

Roman, Viking and medieval history layered into one city. Explore York Minster, walk the ancient city walls and wander the famous Shambles.

Cambridge

One of the world's great university cities. Visit King's College Chapel, explore the historic college buildings and try punting on the River Cam.

Castlerigg Stone Circle

At least 4,000 years old and set against one of the most beautiful backdrops of any stone circle in Britain. You can walk right up to the stones and touch them.

Aysgarth Falls

A beautiful triple-flight waterfall in the Yorkshire Dales, famously featured in the film Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves .

Hardwick Hall

One of Britain's finest Elizabethan houses, built in the 1590s by Bess of Hardwick, the second wealthiest woman in England after Queen Elizabeth I.

Stratford-upon-Avon

The birthplace of William Shakespeare. Visit the house where he was born, see the school where he studied and explore the charming streets of this historic town.

Monday — Cambridge, Lincoln & York

Overnight: York

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Tour departs from Holiday Inn London, Kensington High Street. Check-in at 8.15am. (Depart by 8.30am)

Cambridge

Our tour begins by travelling north to Cambridge, home to one of the world's most famous universities with an alumni that includes Stephen Hawking, Charles Darwin and Sir Isaac Newton. There will be time to visit King's College Chapel, explore the historic college buildings and try punting, the local tradition of gliding along the city's canals in shallow boats.

Lincoln

After lunch we continue north to the historic city of Lincoln, dominated by its imposing medieval cathedral which sits atop a hill visible for miles around. It is one of the great cathedrals of Britain, and was actually the tallest building in the world for several hundred years. Opposite the cathedral is Lincoln Castle, constructed by the Normans and home to one of the only surviving copies of the Magna Carta.

York

We make our way to York, where we spend the first night of our tour.

Overnight: York

Tuesday — Yorkshire Dales, Sizergh Castle & Hill Top

Overnight: Windermere

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For those joining from York, your tour departs from No.1 York by GuestHouse. Check-in at 8.15am. (Depart by 8.30am)

Aysgarth Falls

This morning we leave York and travel into the beautiful green countryside of the Yorkshire Dales. We'll pass through the valleys, known locally as 'Dales', and meander along country lanes to our first stop: Aysgarth Falls, a beautiful triple-flight waterfall that featured in the film Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves . Take a walk along the river and embrace the power of the water here.

Askrigg

Keep your eyes peeled for red squirrels as we travel to the quaint village of Askrigg, set in the picturesque Wensleydale area. You may recognise it as the fictional village of Darrowby from the TV series All Creatures Great & Small , based on the books of James Herriot.

Sizergh Castle

Our Lake District adventure begins at Sizergh Castle, a stately home at the gateway to the national park. The house dates back to the 14th century, and there will be time to explore the property, its grounds and have some lunch.

Hill Top

Next we visit Hill Top, the former home of Beatrix Potter, author of The Tale of Peter Rabbit . Potter loved animals and was inspired by the unspoilt landscape of the Lake District where she lived for much of her life. By late afternoon we'll travel to Windermere, our base in the Lake District for the next two nights.

Overnight: Windermere

Wednesday — Dove Cottage, Honister Pass, Castlerigg & Windermere

Overnight: Windermere

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Dove Cottage & Grasmere

We begin the day at Dove Cottage, the former home of William Wordsworth, one of England's greatest poets and a founder of the Rom

Description supplied by the event organiser.