Harrogate, York & Whitby

Sunday 6th June

We depart from Devon to make our way to Harrogate.

Monday 7th June

Today we travel to York. Some of the highlights include York Minster, the largest Gothic Cathedral in Northern Europe. York’s Chocolate Story to hear scrumptious confectionery tales detailing how York became the home of chocolate. Stroll down the Shambles, the oldest and most photographed street. Break for lunch or afternoon tea at Bettys Café Tea Rooms. The National Railway Museum has a world-class collection of locomotives from the Flying Scotsman to Mallard and Queen Victoria’s vintage carriages. The JORVIK Viking Centre where you’ll travel back in time to Viking-Age York and discover the sights, sounds and smells of the city. Walk the city walls, they’re the most complete and best-preserved medieval walls in England. After a full day we head back to the hotel for dinner.

Tuesday 8th June

After breakfast we visit the pretty seaside town of Whitby, steeped in history with a fascinating past full of famous characters from Captain Cook to Dracula. Climb the 199 steps to Whitby Abbey (entrance fee), to explore the beautiful ruins which tower over the town, take a look around the boutique shops and quirky streets, where you will find unique Whitby jet jewellery.

Wednesday 9th June

This morning we head to RHS Harlow Carr, sitting in the beautiful Yorkshire countryside, Harlow Carr offers a variety of growing landscapes, from running and still water, to woodland and wildflower meadows. Highlights include the lavish Main Borders, bursting with generous prairie-style planting, and the lush, moisture-loving plants around Streamside. Afterwards we have free time to explore Harrogate and relax before dinner in the evening.

Thursday 10th June

Embark on an adventure through the renowned Yorkshire Dales National Park, globally recognized for its exceptional landscape, featuring rolling emerald hills intersected by countless miles of dry stone walls, dramatic limestone crags, and a plethora of charming towns and villages. We head to Hawes and the Wensleydale Creamery where we go back in time with a tour of the original farmhouse dairy to learn about the cheese-making process and watch the skilled craftsmen in the cheese rooms. After a brief stop in the charming, bustling market town of Grassington, known for its picturesque market square, we travel back to our hotel enjoying the magnificent scenery of the Yorkshire Dales.

Friday 11th June

We return home to Devon with comfort stops on route.

D=Dinner, FE=Full English Breakfast