Great Houses and Gardens of Yorkshire & The Lake District 2015

Great Houses and Gardens of Yorkshire & the Lake District

13th – 20th September 2015 (7 nights)

Sorry, this tour is now fully booked.   If you would like to be added to a waiting list in case of cancellation please do contact us.   We are running this tour in 2016 so please do look at our 2016 Tour pages for more information…

This delightful, late season tour takes in some of the very finest Great Houses and Gardens of Yorkshire and The Lake District in the north of England. We’ll explore York, one of England’s greatest historic cities with its magical cathedral and medieval streets and travel through the spectacular landscapes of the North York Moors and Yorkshire Dales National Parks made famous by the writing of the Bronte sisters and more recently, James Herriot. Here we’ll visit jewels such as Castle Howard and the World Heritage Site of Fountain’s Abbey & Studley Royal as well as private gardens showcasing the best of English garden design.

We then travel onto England’s most picturesque corner, the Lake District visiting the gardens of Beatrix Potter,the award-winning garden designer Arabella Lenox-Boyd and Leven’s Hall – the oldest topiary garden in England. Expect glorious scenery, stunning houses and simply beautifully formed gardens.

Sunday 13th September

Our Tour starts in the early afternoon at our base for the first 4 nights of the tour,  the newly refurbished four-star Monk Bar Hotel, overlooking York’s historic city walls. From here we’ll take a walking tour of York, one of England’s most historic cities with a 2000 year history.   We will explore medieval streets, the ‘Shambles’, city walls and visit the mighty gothic cathedral, York Minster.  Dinner at the hotel included.

Monday 14th September

Today we begin at the World Heritage Site of Fountain’s Abbey and Studley Royal water gardens. We’ll stroll through the unique Georgian water-gardens leading to the incredible ruins of this 12th century Cistercian Monastery.

From here we continue onto one of Yorkshire’s finest private gardens, Littlethorpe Manor. We’ll enjoy a private lunch (included) followed by a guided tour of the splendid gardens with the designer & Head Gardener. Return to hotel, free time in York for dinner (independent).

Tuesday 15th September

This morning we travel through James Herriot country to make a private visit to the Gardens at Mount St. John, a stunning private garden designed by the notable Garden Designer Tom Stuart-Smith.   Designed around the 1720’s House nestled in the foothills of the North York Moors, the gardens enjoy fabulous views over the Vale of York.   The gardens supply the award-winning local pub with fresh produce and we will enjoy lunch at the Pub (included) following our visit.

In the afternoon, a real treat awaits us with a visit to Newby Hall where we’ll enjoy time to explore the gardens followed by a private guided tour of this delightful Queen Anne House. We return to York in the evening – independent dinner.

Wednesday 16th September

Today we begin at one of the most recognised and loved of Britain’s stately homes, Castle Howard – home to the Howard family and made famous by its central role in the filming of Brideshead Revisited. We’ll be treated to a private pre-opening tour of the house and morning coffee, followed by free time to explore the gardens and grounds – all 1,000 acres of them!

After lunch we’ll enjoy a guided tour of one of Yorkshire’s newest gardens, Scampston Walled Garden – a contemporary master-piece of the renowned Dutch designer, Piet Oudolf.

In the late afternoon there will be time to explore the handsome North York Moors’ market town of Helmsley with its very own walled garden and enticing shops. Here we’ll have dinner at one of the town’s historic inns, The Black Swan (included) before returning for our final night in York.

Thursday 17th September

Checking out of our York Hotel, we head west, travelling through the Yorkshire Dales National Park, with it’s ancient dry-stone walls, big skies and breathtaking scenery. We make a stop at Parcevel Hall, an historic hall (now a retreat) hidden in a dale, which reveals a delightful Arts and Crafts style garden and unique bedrock limestone rock garden.

We stop off for lunch (included)  in a rather special Yorkshire Dales public house complete with medieval designed cruck barn. After lunch we travel onwards through the beautiful Dales countryside to the Lake District, one of the finest corners of England, full of superlatives – England’s largest National Park, largest lake and highest mountain, the most wonderful views and home to some of our most celebrated poets and authors.

Here we visit the Elizabethan Levens Hall with its unique and ancient collection of topiary figures under-planted with over 30,000 seasonal flowers. The gardens were laid out in the 1690’s and have changed little since.  We will enjoy access to the Hall and a guided tour of the gardens with the head gardener before travelling onto our 4-star lakeside Hotel for the final 3 nights of our tour.    Dinner included at the Hotel.

Friday 18th September

Today we visit the home of Chelsea gold-medal winning garden designer Arabella Lennox-Boyd at Gresgarth Hall. These stunning gardens are a testament to a lifetime of passionate involvement in great gardens. We’ll enjoy a private visit of the gardens before heading to Holker Hall, the home of Lord and Lady Cavendish – great garden enthusiasts. This magnificent stately home is set in exceptionally beautiful countryside with gardens that merge into parkland framed by the Lakeland hills.   We will enjoy a guided tour of the Hall and free time to explore the Gardens.  We return to the Hotel for Dinner (included).

Saturday 19th September

Our first visit today takes us to Hill Top, the home of Beatrix Potter, author, illustrator, natural scientist and conservationist best known for her Tales of Peter Rabbit. The cottage feels as if Beatrix has just stepped out and the delightful cottage garden gives views over the surrounding countryside that she loved so well.

The afternoon is free for independent exploration of the charming lakeside town of Bowness-on-Winderemere. There are lovely shops, the World of Beatrix Potter, Holehird Gardens or Blackwell House to visit, or just while away the time in a cosy coffee shop and taking in the fabulous lakeland scenery. In the late afternoon we’ll meet up at Bowness Pier for a lake cruise along Windermere, back to our hotel.   Final night Dinner at the Hotel included.

Sunday 20th September

Our final day takes us back across the Yorkshire Dales National Park to York.  En-route we make a lunch stop at the Royal Horticultural Society’s northern home, Harlow Carr where we can enjoy an exploration of the gardens and take advantage of the famous Yorkshire Betty’s tea room and the RHS’ shop including an incredible selection of gardening books.  We arrive in York in the early afternoon in time for guests to make onward travel by train or car or to spend more time in this wonderful city.

TOUR NOTE:   Our tour starts and ends in the City of York.   York is located on the main East Coast rail line between London & Edinburgh and direct trains from London take under 2 hours.   The nearest international Airport is Manchester Airport – there is also a direct train service between Manchester Airport and York (1hr 45mins).   If you have any queries about the tour or travel planning to join the tour, please do not hesitate to contact us.

TOUR PRICING:

PRICES INCLUDE: Prices based on twin/double room share. Accommodations at 4 star hotels with en-suite facilities; buffet breakfast daily; lunches (3 ) and dinners (5) included as set out in the itinerary; admissions to gardens in the tour; deluxe coach travel; guest speakers and guides as described in an information pack provided at the start of the tour; services of a Sisley tour director.

PRICES EXCLUDE: Airfares; passport fees; lunches & dinners (where not included); beverages; laundry; gratuities; telephone calls; souvenirs and items of a personal nature.

To book your place, please go directly to our How to Book page and complete the booking form or contact us with any queries.