North East Coast History Heritage and Wildlife

NORTH EAST COAST HISTORY, HERITAGE AND WILDLIFE

 

12 – 16 May 2025

Monday - Friday

5 Days

From £599

 

A tour to the North East taking in the history, heritage, and wildlife of the region. Includes a visit to the seaside town of Seaham, a guided tour of the Washington Wetland Centre and a chance to learn about the maritime history of Hartlepool.  We visit one of the best-preserved bishops’ palaces in Europe - Auckland Castle and learn how County Durham was once ruled by the all-powerful Prince Bishops based here. Plus an all-access pass gives you the opportunity to visit the other attractions run by The Auckland Project.

 

 

Holiday Highlights

Seaham   |   Washington Wetland Centre   |   Durham   |   Hartlepool   |   Hartlepool’s Maritime Experience   |    Auckland Project – All Access Pass

 

DAY ONE – Arrival

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

 

DAY TWO – Seaham, Washington Wetland Centre and Durham

This morning we journey along the coastline to the seaside town of Seaham for a stop and a look around. The beach is famous for its colourful sea glass. We continue on to the Washington Wetland Centre where a friendly warden will greet us and take us on a guided tour of the site. It’s a chance to see a wide variety of wildlife species that make the River Wear their home and as a special bonus, there are resident flamingos and otters.  This afternoon we visit the historic city of Durham, acclaimed as a World Heritage Site and dominated by the magnificent Norman cathedral sitting high above the river.

 

DAY THREE – Hartlepool’s Maritime Experience

After a leisurely breakfast, we visit Hartlepool’s Historic Quay - a faithful reproduction of an 18th-century seaport portraying the exciting experience of life in the times of Nelson and Trafalgar. The centrepiece is the HMS Trincomalee – Europe’s oldest floating warship. You’ll also find the Museum of Hartlepool & PSS Wingfield Castle all included in the Maritime Experience ticket. Later in the afternoon we enjoy a cream tea at the hotel and relax before tonight’s dinner.

 

DAY FOUR – Bishop Auckland and Auckland Castle

This morning we travel west to Bishop Auckland and Auckland Castle. This proud home of the Bishops of Durham stands as one of the best-preserved Bishop’s Palaces in Europe.  Enjoy time at leisure to explore the castle where staterooms are designed to tell the history and story of the bishops that lived here. In the grounds of the castle, you can explore the 17th-century walled garden which often provides fresh produce for the café menu.

This afternoon we have included an all-access pass to the other attractions in the town centre managed by The Auckland’s Project.  Choose from the Mining Art Gallery, the Spanish Art Gallery, the Faith Museum and Auckland Tower providing 360-degree views of the castle, Bishop Auckland and the surrounding rural area. The choice is yours and you are free to explore at leisure.

 

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 and biscuits on arrival

• Admission to Washington Wetland Centre

• Admission to Hartlepool Maritime Experience

• Cream Tea at our hotel one afternoon

• Admission to the Auckland Project – All access ticket.

 

THE BEST WESTERN GRAND HOTEL, HARTLEPOOL

The Best Western Grand Hotel Hartlepool, has recently undergone refurbishment adding a contemporary style to this historic property. All rooms have ensuite facilities, free Wi-Fi, phone, flat screen TV, tea and coffee tray, complimentary toiletries and hairdryer. Hotel has a lift that has recently been installed.

YOUR HOLIDAY INCLUDES

Luxury coach travel

Home pick-up

4 nights accommodation, dinner & breakfast

Porterage on arrival and departure

Tea/coffee and biscuits on arrival

Admission to Washington Wetland Centre

Admission to Hartlepool Maritime Experience

Cream Tea at our hotel one afternoon

Admission to the Auckland Project – All access ticket.

 

THE BEST WESTERN GRAND HOTEL, HARTLEPOOL

The Best Western Grand Hotel Hartlepool, has recently undergone refurbishment adding a contemporary style to this historic property. All rooms have ensuite facilities, free Wi-Fi, phone, flat screen TV, tea and coffee tray, complimentary toiletries and hairdryer. Hotel has a lift that has recently been installed.

 

 HOTEL FACILITIES INCLUDE

General	Rooms	Accessibility
4 star	Tea/coffee making facilities	Lift
Bar	Television	Wheelchair accessible
Restaurant	Wi-Fi
Gym

 

Tour Symbols

D2D

 

DAYS	TOUR DATE	DEPARTS	TERMS	SUPPLEMENT
5	12 -16 MAY 2025	MONDAY	£599	£40 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

THE BEST WESTERN GRAND HOTEL HARTLEPOOL