Small Group Tour: 2013 Scottish Borders, Lakes & Dales

Meet up with your Tour Leader and fellow travellers this morning. The rendezvous is at 9:00am (please be here 30 mins before this) at the Royal Terrace Hotel, Edinburgh.

Leaving the wonderful city of Edinburgh behind, you travel south to visit one of the most mysterious sites in Scotland, Rosslyn Chapel and ruined Castle – made famous most recently by its appearance in the film The Da Vinci Code. Then drive through the beautiful scenery of the Scottish Borders, passing through Peebles and stopping in Melrose with its ancient Abbey. Witness Scott’s View, loved by Scotland’s most famous novelist Sir Walter Scott. You then pass Selkirk and head through the dramatic moorlands of Liddersdale and make a brief stop at the ruins of Hermitage Castle. This remote and spooky Castle was the scene of many a bloody battle in the territorial wars between the Scots and the English. Afterwards, you'll make your way to a restored 15th century medieval Scottish castle where you will overnight.

Enjoy a 3-course Scottish themed banquet dinner ths evening with your fellow travellers.

Your first stop this morning is at Birdoswald Roman Fort, one of the best Roman sites on Hadrian’s Wall. Follow the wall for a while, through the lovely scenery of the Northumberland National Park, before travelling through the Pennines, ‘the backbone of England’ to Alston, with its cobbled main street. This was once a major lead-mining area so look out for mine remains. Continue to drive through the lush, green valley of the River Eden, one of England’s best salmon rivers, to Orton.

Next stop is at a chocolate producer where you can see hand-made chocolates being made.

Finally you will visit one of the finest stately homes in Cumbria, Levens Hall, converted to its current style in 1590 with wonderful gardens dating from 1694. Arrive in Windermere which will be your base for the next two nights.

Today you will enjoy one of Britain’s most beautiful national parks. Crossing the largest lake, Windermere, your first stop is Beatrix Potter’s Hill Top Farm, still as she left it and where some of her famous characters were created. Continue to Hawkshead, home of the Beatrix Potter Gallery and the Old Grammar School, attended by William Wordsworth, where the Museum still houses his original desk. Afterwards, wind Your way through the beautiful back roads of this beautiful region, stopping for lunch in one of the countless picturesque villages in the area.

In the afternoon you will visit Sarah Nelson’s famous Gingerbread Shop in Grasmere, which has been making this delicacy since 1854. You’ll hear about the history and have a taste before getting back on the Wordsworth trail with a visit to Dove Cottage, his home and inspiration for his daffodils poem. Then enjoy a short lake cruise followed by dinner with the group in the evening.

Leave the Lake District and soon enter the third of this tour’s National Parks, the Yorkshire Dales. Your first stop is in the gorgeous village of Malham, overlooked by spectacular Malham Cove. Nearby is the amazing limestone pavement of Malham Tarn. You will then travel to Hawes to learn about the making of Wensleydale Cheese (enjoying a revival since Wallace & Gromit declared it their favourite!).

After lunch continue on to Thirsk, James Herriot’s home town, where you can enjoy a special guided tour of his former surgery. Your tour ends today in the historic city of York, one of Britain’s true gems!

The final day in Yorkshire is dominated by the splendours of York. As historic cities go, York has to be one of the UK’s most beautiful and atmospheric. Narrow lanes house small, interesting shops, a wealth of fascinating visitor attractions and, of course, the amazing York Minster.

Today there is time for you to relax, sip coffee and wander at your own pace. Your guide will be happy to give you recommendations on where to visit if you have specific interests.

Today you leave York and pass through the fashionable town of Harrogate en route to Keighley for a short ride on a restored railway made famous by the 1970’s film The Railway Children. The train travels through a region that was once the hub of the world’s textile industry and where many of the austere mill buildings are now enjoying a rebirth as tourist centres. You will alight in Haworth, a delightful town with a cobbled main street, its centrepiece being the Bronte Parsonage. Passing over the scenic Pennine moors you cross the White Rose/Red Rose divide into Lancashire before continuing to Liverpool.

Liverpool is an inspirational city, which spawned many famous names including, of course, The Beatles. Accompanied by a local Beatles expert you will see all the places associated with John, Paul, George and Ringo including their childhood homes and the places that inspired some of their most memorable songs - Penny Lane and Strawberry Field. Your tour today concludes in Liverpool.

Your Small Group Tour ends this afternoon in Liverpool at 5:30pm. (Hotel to be determined). Bid farewell to your Guide and fellow travellers as you close the chapter on this part of your travels.

Enjoy your private transfer to/from Manchester airport.