Durham, Hadrian's Wall & the Ancient Kingdom of Northumbria

Check in to the Lumley Castle Hotel, Chester-le-Street in the afternoon. Later, we enjoy a welcome drink reception hosted by our tour manager.

We make our way to Raby Castle, where our special guided tour begins at the castle entrance. King Cnut owned the estate in the early 11^th century, but it was the Nevilles, one of the major powers in the North, who built the 14^th-century castle we see today. The exterior of medieval towers, turrets and embattled walls contrasts with the lavish interiors, which span medieval, Regency and Victorian periods and provide a magnificent backdrop for the stunning art collection. We also enjoy a mini picnic lunch here.

Next, we travel to Rokeby Park for another fascinating guided tour. Completed in 1735 by its owner, Sir Thomas Robinson, this architectural treasure represents the heyday of the Palladian-style country house. A unique collection of 18^th-century needlework pictures by Anne Morritt is on display here, as well as a very rare surviving print room.

Today, we head to Ushaw College, founded over 200 years ago to educate students for the Catholic priesthood. The vast estate contains buildings designed by Augustus Pugin and his followers and boasts significant examples of Victorian Gothic architecture. We discover some of the main buildings and the chapel during our guided tour.

Afterwards, we spend some time in the university city of Durham, home to an abundance of impressive historical buildings and sights set amongst the cobbled streets and picturesque riverbanks. These include the unique 11^th-century castle, the university’s Botanic Garden and the highlight of the city’s skyline, the magnificent Norman cathedral. Enjoy some lunch at your leisure in one of the many eateries before we head to Brancepeth Castle.

Once the stronghold of the Neville family in medieval times, the current Brancepeth is a combination of the Nevilles’ medieval towers and the grand country house created for the wealthy Russell family in the Regency period. The castle is once again a private home, and we enjoy a guided tour to find out more, followed by afternoon refreshments in the castle gatehouse. To round off the day, we then make a short visit to St Brandon’s Church, with its 900 years of history, opposite the castle in Brancepeth village.

We journey back in time at Vindolanda, one of Britain’s most fascinating Roman archaeological sites and once a remarkable fort and settlement that served as a key military outpost and civilian hub in Roman Britain. Uncover the stories of the soldiers and families who once lived along Hadrian’s Wall in the award-winning museum, home to an extraordinary collection of Roman artefacts unearthed on-site, from shoes and pottery to writing tablets.

Next, take the chance to capture a memorable photo at Hadrian’s Wall itself, an enduring symbol of Roman Britain and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built under the reign of Emperor Hadrian in AD 122 and stretching from coast to coast, it was designed to protect the northern frontier from the Picts and other tribes, punctuated by forts, milecastles and turrets.

For our last visit we head to Hexham Abbey, one of the earliest seats of Christianity in the country with origins dating back over 1,300 years. The intricate building has stood proudly during tumultuous periods and historic turmoil, from Viking marauders destroying part of Hexham Monastery to Scottish raiders setting fire to the priory. In 2014, the abbey regained ownership of its former monastic buildings and restoration was completed, reuniting the buildings of the religious site for the first time since the Reformation. We learn more on our captivating tour.

After breakfast, check out of the hotel for the journey home.