York & Scenic Yorkshire

We head to the historic and picturesque city of York, a place steeped in centuries of heritage and charm. Marvel at the magnificent York Minster, one of the largest and most beautiful Gothic cathedrals in Northern Europe. Lose yourself in the enchanting ‘Shambles’ - a maze of narrow, cobbled streets lined with crooked timber-framed buildings, some dating back to the 14^th century.  No visit to York would be complete without stopping by the iconic Bettys Tea Rooms, where you can unwind in elegant surroundings and savour their world-famous afternoon tea, complete with delicate sandwiches, fresh scones and irresistible cakes.

We tour the stunning Yorkshire Dales, calling first at the market town of Skipton, known as the Gateway to the Dales, with a grand medieval castle as its centrepiece. We have time to browse the award-winning market, which still operates under a charter granted by King John over 800 years ago and offers a whole host of unique items and local produce.

Afterwards, we make our way to Haworth, where the Brontë sisters spent much of their lives. Boasting a historic cobbled main street set against stunning countryside, the village has a wonderful collection of quaint tea rooms, craft and gift shops, tempting restaurants and cosy pubs while the Brontë’s former home, Haworth Parsonage, is now a museum and is fascinating to visit.

On our optional excursion we head to the elegant spa town of Harrogate, where notable sights include the Royal Pump Room and the attractive Montpellier Quarter with its pedestrianised streets lined with 19^th-century buildings that are now home to galleries, boutiques and cafés.