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17/19 May 2009 – Historic Lincoln
The White Hart Hotel, Lincoln (central) ***
Discover Lincoln Cathedral, the third largest cathedral in the country. Lincoln Castle, commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1068 and the Medieval Bishop’s Palace. Doddington Hall, a high Elizabethan house and historic Gainsborough Old Hall also feature in the tour.
5/8 June 2009 – Historic Worcester
The Worcester Whitehouse Hotel (central) ****
Worcester is a vibrant city with an interesting blend of old and new. The city’s historic buildings include the 11th century cathedral, 15th century Greyfriars, the 18th century Guildhall and the Victorian façade of Royal Worcester Porcelain, where fine china was produced from 1751 until the end of the 20th century. There will be visits to Great Malvern and its magnificent Priory, Great Witley Court, where you can see the ruins of one of the most palatial residences in England, and historic Harvington Hall. Harvington Hall survives almost unaltered from the Elizabethan era and the house conveys the intensity of the religious conflicts of this time and claims to have the most priest’s holes in England.
Also included is a visit to The Commandery, home to the Civil War Museum, Great Hall and the paneled rooms.
15/18 June 2009 – Medieval Monasteries, Cistercian Abbeys and Historic Houses
The Albright Hussey Hotel, Shropshire **** (2.5 miles from Shrewsbury)
In Cheshire, close to the Shropshire border, is Combermere Abbey and Gardens. The abbots house and hall form the basis of the present house, once the site of a wealthy Cistercian monastery and you’ll enjoy a private tour of the property and gardens with the owner. Shropshire has a fine collection of haunting and spectacular abbeys – Lilleshall, Buildwas and Haughmond. Many of these have been carefully preserved so that we can consider their sheer scale, beautiful stonework, impressive architecture and of course, the history attached to each one. Join Julian to tour these properties, Wenlock Priory, Boscobel House and Moseley Old Hall. Boscobel House is a fully restored lodge with the famous Royal Oak tree where Charles ll hid from Cromwell’s troops. Jacobean domesticity is recreated at Moseley Old Hall near Wolverhampton. It was here that Charles ll was given shelter after fleeing the Parliamentary troops in Worcester.
Accommodation for this break is based in a historic hotel on the site of Shrewsbury battlefield.
25/28 June 2009 – Historic Durham
The Durham Marriott Royal County Hotel (central) ****
Stay centrally in this city with a history spanning many centuries. Durham Cathedral and Durham Castle have secured it as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Tour the greatest Norman cathedral in England, the Palace Green and Cathedral Close. Travel to Bishops Auckland where the wealthy Bishops of Durham resided in Auckland Castle. Visit Escomb Church, one of the finest Saxon churches in England, built from stone from nearby Binchester Roman Fort – a cavalry supply station en route to Hadrian’s Wall. Explore the fort on foot and see museum collections that relate to Binchester and other military sites at The Old Fulling Mill Museum of Archaeology in Durham.
There will be visits to and tours of Barnard Castle, a historic market town with castle ruins, and the Bowes Museum where there are fascinating collections to suit all interests.
10/13 July 2009 – Jurassic Coastal Castles
The Kings Arms Hotel, Dorchester (central) ***
Explore some of Dorset’s finest castles and historic properties along and close to the Jurassic coastline, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. These include Corfe Castle, besieged on two occasions, eventually falling into Parliamentary hands and reduced to a majestic ruin above the pretty village of Corfe. At Kingston Lacy House, discover the links and intriguing tales of the Bankes family, whose home for over 300 years was at Corfe Castle. Visit Lulworth Castle, Portland Castle, St Catherine’s Priory at Abbotsbury and the Dorset County Museum where you can discover Jurassic Coast Geology, prehistoric and Roman artefacts and a major gallery dedicated to Dorset’s famous writers – including Thomas Hardy.
4/7 September 2009 – Welsh Border Castles and House
The Feathers Hotel, Ludlow (central) ***
The border between England and Wales was hotly contested from the Norman Conquest until the 14th century and hundreds of castles were built to hold territory. This three-n night break gives you the chance to visit some of the most important and interesting castles of this era. The visits include Ludlow Castle, Stokesay Castle – the finest example of a thirteenth century fortified manor house in England, Goodrich Castle and other fascinating properties including Stokesay Court, which found fame as the primary location for the film “Atonement”.
14/18 September 2009 – Castles of Northumbria
The Otterburn Tower Hotel, Northumbria *** (transfers from Newcastle available)
Immerse yourself in Northumbria’s turbulent past and discover some of the county’s most imposing fortifications. Visits include Holy Island, Lanercost Priory, Hadrian’s Wall, Alnwick Castle and Gardens, Carlisle Castle, Aydon Castle, Banburgh, Warkworth and Prudhoe Castle. You’ll stay at the historic Otterburn Tower Hotel.
Tours for Autumn and Winter 2009 will be published by the end of February.
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