Singles Galore, Northumbria and Durham

Day 1

Your holiday starts with a pickup from home by one of the vehicles from our Door-to-Door service which will bring you through to meet our coach. Once everyone is on board, we'll make our way to Bowes Museum. As you enter through the grandest of gates the sight of Bowes Museum is something to behold. A building as impressive as the exhibits within, the story behind the museum is just as fascinating. Built in the 19th century by John and Josephine Bowes to house their own collection, themed galleries are home to one of the most important collections of fine and decorative arts in the North of England. Be sure to see the famous 18th century mechanical wonder which is the Silver Swan at 2.00pm. You'll have plenty of time to enjoy the Museum before we leave to arrive at the hotel late afternoon.

Day 2

Today, we head for Kielder Water & Forest. At 250 square miles the forest is the largest in England whilst Kielder Water is the biggest manmade lake in Northern Europe. An important red squirrel reserve, home to the largest remaining population of red squirrels in the country, the forest is also home to Northumberland's only breeding Osprey as well as otters goshawks and buzzards.
Kielder Water has 27 miles of spectacular shoreline surrounded by Pine Forest and heather moorland a huge contrast to the places you will visit later in the week. We take a short coffee stop at Tower Knowe Visitors Centre which affords magnificent views over Kielder Water before travelling up to Kielder Castle at the head of the Waters. Enjoy a Lakeside stroll, visit the red squirrel room and viewing hide, have something to eat and just soak up the tranquil atmosphere. The final visit of the day is to the Kielder Water Birds of Prey Centre. Home to one of the largest Birds of Prey collections in the North of England including Owls, Vultures, Eagles, Hawks, Falcons and even a Pelican as well as two Fallow Deer and a family of wallabies.

Day 3

This morning, we travel through the fabulous scenery of the beautiful Northumbria countryside along the Hadrian's Wall Route to Hexham, voted "England's favourite market town" although 1300 years ago Hexham was the haunt of marauding Vikings. The town centre is filled with winding streets with Hexham Abbey at its hub. You'll have time to explore on your own before we return to the hotel late afternoon.

Day 4

We spend today at the inspirational Alnwick Gardens, brainchild of the Duchess of Northumberland, who transformed a derelict landscape to the beautiful gardens and unique features including a Treehouse & Poison Garden and magnificent architecture all brought to life with water. Enjoy and explore at your leisure before making your way to the Castle. One of the largest inhabited castles in Europe, Alnwick Castle has been home to the Percy family for more than 700 years. Today it is probably best known as one of the locations used in the Harry Potter films and numerous other films and TV productions. We leave here late in the afternoon returning to the hotel for the final evening's dinner.

Day 5

Leaving the hotel after breakfast, we'll begin our journey home. We'll have a suitable stop en-route before making our way to your drop off point where the Door-to-Door service vehicles will be waiting to take you home.