DETAILS
Often referred to ‘God’s Own Country’ and world renowned for its wild and evocative landscape, the county of Yorkshire showcases natural beauty on a grand scale. Poets, painters and storytellers throughout the ages have been inspired by the windswept moors, dramatic countryside and picturesque rural villages, and peppered throughout this rugged landscape are time capsules of a distant past that hold the memories and keepsakes of former generations. We combine this magnificent scenery with an exploration of the architectural grandeur, superb collections and fascinating heritage of some of the region’s finest houses and estates. Our tour is a window to bygone eras, shown to us by the proud stately homes and impressive manors, historic castles and ancient ruins.
- Pricing from
- $7,300
- Trip Type
- Individual Travel Tour, International Land & Rail Voyages
- Departure Dates
-
Sep 2, 2025 - Sep 14, 2025
Night One – The Castle Hotel, Windsor
The most historic hotel in Windsor, the Castle Hoel offers a unique stay that combines luxury, culture, and a touch of majesty. With elegant and classic rooms and furniture, the hotel ash nearly 500 years of history and promises to be a historic and fascinating start to our tour.
Nights Two & Three – The Losehill House Hotel & Spa
Nestled amidst rolling hills and scenic landscapes, the Losehill House Hotel & Spa is located within the heart of the peak district, beautifully tucked away down a country lane in the Derbyshire landscape. The hotel offers a perfect blend of relaxation and indulgence.
Nights Four & Five – Crathorne Hall Hotel
A luxury hotel in Yarm, North Yorkshire, the Crathorne Hotel offers grand interiors, fashionable rooms and excellent service. This grand hotel stands as a testament to early 20th-century elegance, with its stunning architecture and pristine gardens offering a tranquil retreat for guests. Crathorne Hall Hotel combines the charm of an English country estate with the luxury of modern amenities, ensuring a stay that is both comfortable and memorable.
Nights Six to Eight –The Grand Hotel, York
Set in the iconic Grade II listed former railway headquarters, the Grand Hotel is an iconic establishment within the historic city walls, offering guests the perfect blend of old-world charm and modern sophistication. From the sumptuous rooms and suites to the exceptional dining options, every aspect of the Grand Hotel is designed to provide comfort and elegance.
Nights Nine & Ten – Devonshire Arms Hotel & Spa
Considered one of the most exclusive spa retreats in England, the Devonshire Arms Hotel offers excellent wellness treatments and luxurious accommodations set within 30,000 acres of land on the Bolton Abbey Estate in the very heart of Yorkshire. Rooms are elegant with views of The Dales, River Wharfe and the Italian Garden. The hotel also offers a 4AA rosette restaurant, a lounge bar and Brasserie.
Night Eleven – Macdonald Windsor Hotel, Windsor
The Macdonald Windsor Hotel is situated in the heart of the historic town of Windsor, opposite the famous Windsor Castle. The classic interiors, with a contemporary edge, fit perfectly with the Georgian elegance of this townhouse hotel. The luxury bedrooms are individually-designed and the hotel also offers a stylish bar and restaurant.
Airport transfers from London Heathrow
VACATION CANCELLATION BY YOU: If you want to cancel your booking after we have confirmed it with you either verbally, over the telephone or by email, you can do so over the phone or in writing. The following cancellation charges will apply:
More than 91 days prior to departure $1000
90 days or less before departure 100% of the program cost is non-refundable
If any member of your party is prevented from travelling, that person may transfer their place to someone else (introduced by you) providing we are notified no less than two weeks before departure.
TOUR MAP
ITINERARY
-
day 1 & 2
Depart your home city and arrive the next day in London/Arrival
On arrival at Heathrow Airport, a private transfer will take you to the Castle Hotel Windsor, where we stay overnight. In the evening, join the group for a welcome drink and canapés, followed by dinner.
-
day 3
Hardwick Hall
Hall. Ordered in the 16th century by Bess of Hardwick, England’s richest woman after her Queen, Elizabeth I, Hardwick is a striking Elizabethan treasure. The lavish number of windows (at a time when glass was a luxury) inspired the neat phrase, ‘Hardwick Hall, more glass than wall’. Admire the fine collection of centuries old needlework, furniture and portraits here, along with the beautiful garden, set against rolling hills.
-
day 4
Chatsworth House & Bakewell
We start the day at Chatsworth House, where we’re treated to a guided tour. This magnificent estate is home to the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire and has witnessed sixteen generations of the powerful Cavendish family and boasts grandiose interiors, wonderful grounds and a superlative art collection. Chatsworth also appeared as Pemberley in the 2005 movie adaptation of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. Afterward we visit Bakewell, located on the banks of the River Wye in the heart of scenic Yorkshire. Known for its delicious and unique pudding, legend has it that the Bakewell Tart was created by mistake by a local cook in the mid-19th century. Today, the delicious ‘jam tart that went wrong’ can be savored at various bakeries and cafés and even ordered online from anywhere in the world! We also include a tasting here today. Later we check into the Losehill House Hotel
& Spa for the next two nights and enjoy an evening meal. -
day 5
Wentworth Woodhouse & Renishaw Hall
Built by the First Marquess of Rockingham between 1725 and 1750, Wentworth Woodhouse consists of two joined houses of totally different architectural styles; the Baroque style west front and the east front in the later Palladian style. After our visit, we journey south, past Sheffield, whose name derives from the River Sheaf which runs through it, and arrive at Renishaw Hall in the afternoon. We enjoy a guided tour of the historic estate and Italianate gardens, home to the Sitwell family for nearly 400 years. Afterward we check in to the Crathorne Hall Hotel, where we stay for the next two nights.
-
day 6
Whitby Abbey & Scarborough
We head to the charming seaside town of Whitby to visit the 13th-century ruins of Whitby Abbey, perched high on a cliff above the town. The abbey’s soaring gothic splendor also provided Bram Stoker with a dramatic location for scenes in his 1897 classic horror novel, Dracula. Next, we journey to Scarborough to take in the coastal views from Scarborough Castle. Built in the 12th century, the castle was transformed into a mighty royal fortress by Henry II, King John and William III. Located in St Mary’s burial ground, we stop by the grave of Ann Brontë, famous author of Agnes Grey and The Tenant of Wildfell Hall.
-
day 7
Castle Howard & Fountains Abbey
We head to Castle Howard, home to the Howard family for over 300 years, where we enjoy a private guided tour and refreshments. Designed by Sir John Vanbrugh, Castle Howard has twice appeared as Brideshead in movie and television adaptations of Evelyn Waugh’s classic novel, as well as providing the backdrop for various scenes in the hit Netflix series, Bridgerton. Our next stop of the day is the largest monastic ruin in Britain, Fountains Abbey, for a fascinating guided tour. We then make our way to the Grand Hotel in York, our home for the next three nights.
-
day 8
Burton Constable Hall & Burton Agnes Hall
We enjoy a guided tour of Burton Constable Hall, taking us through over thirty rooms of fine art and furniture; this grand house truly is a time capsule. This afternoon we enjoy a change of pace with a visit to the charming village of Burton Agnes. Here we enjoy a guided tour of the impressive Elizabethan manor house, Burton Agnes Hall. Built in 1598 by Sir Henry Griffith and designed by Robert Smythson, the Master Mason to Queen Elizabeth, this architectural gem has been called a ‘splendid and glittering composition’ with ‘beautiful proportions.’
-
day 9
York Minster, Fairfax House & Treasurer’s House
We spend the day in York, starting with a guided tour of York Minster, the largest Gothic cathedral in northern Europe and home to some of the most stunning stained glass windows that have led to the Minster being described as ‘the Sistine Chapel of England’. Next is a guided tour of Fairfax House, an impressive Georgian town house that has been restored to its former glory, providing a perfect time capsule of life in Georgian times with a richly-decorated interior and a fine collection of English 18th-century furniture. We complete our day at Treasurer’s House in the heart of the city. The house has a 2,000-year-old history and was the first house given complete with its contents to the National Trust in 1930.
-
day 10
Harewood House
This morning we journey west for a guided tour of Harewood House. Built in the 18th century, Harewood House is one of the greatest Treasure Houses in England, with interiors designed by Robert Adam, furniture by Thomas Chippendale and an outstanding art collection ranging from Renaissance masterpieces to 20th-century art. Later we check in to the Devonshire Arms Hotel & Spa, where we stay for the next two nights.
-
day 11
Bolton Castle & Bolton Abbey
Our first stop today is one of the country’s best-preserved medieval castles which perfectly demonstrates the balance between defense, comfort and what was known as ‘aesthetically considered orderliness.’ We are treated to a guided tour of the castle and with over 600 years worth of history, the castle has a few fair stories to tell, including tales of Mary, Queen of Scot’s imprisonment here between 1568 and 1569. A short distance from Bolton Castle, in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales, is Bolton Abbey. Here we enjoy a guided tour of the historical Abbey ruins and look out for the many woodland birds which populate the area, including Curlews and endangered Wader Safaris.
-
day 12
Lyme Park
We spend the day at Lyme Park, a large estate managed by the National Trust. Here, we experience the vastness of Yorkshire in all its wide, expansive glory. At the centre is the House, where we have our lunch. We take a guided tour of the house, a treasure chest of precious objects and family keepsakes, and then the formal gardens which demonstrate a masterful appreciation of geometry. Wander through the clipped hedges and columns of yew trees before entering the historic parkland, home to deer and other wildlife as well as some historic gems built in strategic places across the landscape. Later, we check into the Macdonald Windsor Hotel, where we enjoy a farewell dinner together.
-
day 13
Departure
A private transfer will take you back to Heathrow Airport for your return flight home.
Everything you need to know about the tour
Save this information for later by downloading the full tour brochure.
Be prepared with the National Trust Travel Plan
Since 1973, USI Affinity Travel Insurance Services has served travelers just like you, to help protect their travel plans