Castles & Princes in Northumbria

CASTLES & PRINCES IN NORTHUMBRIA

 

7 – 11 April 2025

Monday - Friday

5 Days

From £659

 

Welcome to enchanting Northumbria, where medieval architecture and royal heritage come together to create a fairy-tale holiday experience. If you are someone who loves exploring historical sites and learning about the captivating tales of kings and queens, then Northumbria is the perfect destination. This beautiful region is home to some of the most stunning castles and palaces that will transport you back in time.

 

 

HOLIDAY HIGHLIGHTS

Hexham   |    Hexham Abbey   |   Allendale Forge Studios   |   Bishop Auckland   |   Auckland Castle   |      Alnwick Castle

 

DAY ONE – Arrival

We depart from your home and travel to the Northeast arriving late afternoon you will have time to relax before dinner this evening.

 

DAY TWO – Hexham and Hexham Abbey

Today you spend the day in Hexham, where there is a popular weekly market, in the centre of this picturesque town, with everything from locally baked goods to handmade jewellery and gifts.  You might also choose to visit Hexham Abbey.  This former medieval abbey was built late in the 7th century. It is one of the most prominent tourist attractions in Northumberland, welcoming over 120,000 visitors per year. With interactive mobile phone guides and welcoming stewards, plus a visitor centre, Cafe, and gift shop, it is a fully immersive experience for all, with its glorious interior plus its Big Story exhibition.

 

DAY THREE – Allendale, Bishop Auckland and Auckland Castle

This morning we make our way to Allendale, just a short distance away for a visit to the Allendale Forge Studios, a vibrant art gallery, gift shop and café. Then travelling through Alston, we make our way to Bishop Auckland, and the Auckland Project, and our visit to Auckland Castle where we discover its role as a home of the Prince Bishops, explore the story of faith in Britain and admire masterpieces inspired by religious fervour in the Spanish Gallery.

 

DAY FOUR – Alnwick Castle

Today we visit Alnwick Castle, the second largest inhabited castle in England; it has been home to the Duke of Northumberland’s family, the Percys, for over 700 years. The castle’s rich history is brimming with drama, intrigue, and extraordinary people; from a gunpowder plotter and visionary collectors to decadent hosts and medieval England’s most celebrated knight, Harry Hotspur.

 

Combining magnificent medieval architecture with spectacular Italianate State Rooms, Alnwick Castle is one of the UK’s most significant heritage destinations. Learn about the history of Alnwick Castle, and its use as a filming location, from Downton Abbey to Harry Potter. 

 

DAY FIVE – Departure

After breakfast this morning we leave our hotel and make our journey home with comfort stops en route.

 

YOUR HOLIDAY INCLUDES

• Luxury coach travel

• Home pick-up

• 4 nights accommodation, dinner & breakfast

• Porterage on arrival and departure

• Tea/coffee after dinner each evening

• Free use of leisure facilities

• Admission to Alnwick Castle

• Admission to Auckland Castle.

 

SLALEY HALL HOTEL, HEXHAM

Slaley Hall is a former hunting lodge turned hotel, spa and golf resort surrounded by unspoilt moorland and dense forests teeming with local wildlife./Spread over 1,000 acres of Northumberland countryside, the sprawling estate dates back to Edwardian times. Over the years the hotel has been a war hospital, welcomed the England football team and hosted concerts by Elton John and Madonna.//All bedrooms are elegant with contemporary decor and many enjoy spectacular views over the glorious green of the golf courses and surrounding countryside. Lift access is available throughout the hotel./Accessible rooms available on request.

GROUP BOOKINGS

Looking to take a group, if you book 20 places or more on this tour the tour organiser will go Free of Charge.

YOUR HOLIDAY INCLUDES

Luxury coach travel

Home pick-up

4 nights accommodation, dinner & breakfast

Porterage on arrival and departure

Tea/coffee after dinner each evening

Free use of leisure facilities

Admission to Alnwick Castle

Admission to Auckland Castle.

 

SLALEY HALL HOTEL, HEXHAM

Slaley Hall is a former hunting lodge turned hotel, spa and golf resort surrounded by unspoilt moorland and dense forests teeming with local wildlife./Spread over 1,000 acres of Northumberland countryside, the sprawling estate dates back to Edwardian times. Over the years the hotel has been a war hospital, welcomed the England football team and hosted concerts by Elton John and Madonna.//All bedrooms are elegant with contemporary decor and many enjoy spectacular views over the glorious green of the golf courses and surrounding countryside. Lift access is available throughout the hotel./Accessible rooms available on request.

 

GROUP BOOKINGS

Looking to take a group, if you book 20 places or more on this tour the tour organiser will go Free of Charge.

 

HOTEL FACILITIES INCLUDE

General	Rooms	Accessibility
4 star	Tea/coffee making facilities	Lift
Bar	Television	Wheelchair accessible
Restaurant	Wi-Fi in rooms free
Lounge	Hairdryer
Swimming Pool
Wellness & Fitness Centre

 

 

DAYS	TOUR DATE	DEPARTS	TERMS	SUPPLEMENT
5	7 - 11 APR 2025	MONDAY	£659	£166 SINGLE
JONES HOLIDAYS INSURANCE			£27.28

 

 

Rooms are allocated on a first come first served basis and are limited. If no single supplement applies this is limited to the tour single room allocation and therefore additional cost may apply.  Prices displayed are per person unless otherwise stated. If door-to-door pick-up is included there may be additional charges for out of area. Itineraries and hotel inclusions may be subject to change. Seat numbers on the coach may be subject to change. Issues whilst on tour must be raised in the first instance with the driver. Covid-19 restrictions may apply. When making bookings you accept on behalf of yourself and your party the terms in our Trading Charter which can be found in our brochure, on our website at http://www.jonesholidays.co.uk/Jones-holidays-trading-charter, or a copy can be requested from our Sales office.  If your holiday is more than 56 days from departure, we offer a 7-day cooling off period where a full refund will be offered from the date of the initial confirmation invoice (with the exception of flight holidays).

Slaley Hall Hotel Alnwick Castle Auckland Castle Allendale Forge Studios