Northumberland, Hadrian’s Wall, Holy Island & Alnwick Castle

We start with a visit to the historic Holy Island of Lindisfarne, lying just a few miles off the Northumberland coast. Only accessible twice a day at low tide, this beautifully unspoilt island is where Christianity first took hold in Britain and is also home to a picturesque 16^th-century castle and an array of wildlife.

Featured in the hugely popular TV series Downton Abbey and still home to the Duke of Northumberland and his family, our next stop of Alnwick Castle is the second largest inhabited castle in England. The lavish State Rooms contain an eclectic array of furniture, ceramics and art collected by the Percy family for over 700 years.

The Romans built Hadrian’s Wall as a fortification across Britain some two thousand years ago. We explore this fascinating archaeological site with a guided tour following George Wade’s Military Road on our way to Chesters Fort, part of the wall and the best-preserved Roman cavalry fort in the country.

For our optional excursion, we head to Durham, a handsome university city set on the peaceful banks of the River Wear. The city is a great place to visit all year round and is home to an array of historic buildings, most notably the Norman Cathedral and the 11^th-century castle, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The city is also a haven for some retail therapy; walk along the cobbled streets and browse the many stylish independent shops and high-street stores.