Your luxury tour begins as soon as you are greeted at Manchester International Airport. From here you will be chauffeur driven to your chosen accommodation.
If your flight arrives in the morning, you will have a couple of hours to rest and freshen up before going on a short tour in the afternoon.
We will provide a suggested itinerary for you to choose from, taking into account your personal interests and also bearing in mind the weather forecast for the week.
On your James Herriot-Country Tour you will visit:
Herriot Country
Visit the fascinating Herriot Museum, set in the original Kirkgate vetinary practice and home of Alf Wight (James Herriot) for many years. The house and surgery have been recreated as they would have been in the 1940’s.
We will take you over the high fells where you can see for yourself the beautiful scenery as described so vividly in the James Herriot books.
View the Whitestone cliffs, where Alf Wight enjoyed walking his dogs. From here he described having the finest views across the vale of York to the Pennines.
Explore the historic market town of Thirsk, known as Darrowby in James Herriot’s books.
Visit the many unspoilt villages of the Dales which are still much the same as when Alf Wight would have known them.
The beauty of the Dales is due to the way it is still farmed as it has been for hundreds of years with sheep on the high fells and cattle in the lower Dales. In many cases the farms have been in the same family for generations. These are the same families that Alf Wight dealt with in his everyday working life.
Near the village of Aysgarth the river Ure tumbles over a series of broad limestone steps which are known as Aysgarth Falls. In spring time the woodside banks are covered in bluebells and primroses.
Fountains Abbey is Britain’s largest monastic ruin, founded in 1132 by 13 Benedictine Monks. The Abbey became derelict following the Dissolution of the Monasteries by Henry VIII in 1539.
Tour the dramatic and extensive remains of Rievaulx Abbey, once one of the most powerful medieval monasteries in Britain. Set in the beautiful Rye valley.
Tour Castle Howard, a magnificent 18th Century house with extensive collections, sweeping parklands and famous gardens.
Explore Bolton Castle, a massive fortress dominating Wensleydale since 1399. It has connections with Richard II. Mary Queen of Scots was imprisoned here for six months.
The Lake District
Travel to the Lake District. A special part of England with its rugged
mountains and peaceful lakes, providing inspiration for William Wordsworth's poems,
visit his former home Dove Cottage.
We will also visit Hill Top Farm where Beatrix Potter lived and wrote some of her novels.
York
Have a relaxing afternoon in the ancient Roman City of York.
Take a tour of the magnificent York Minster, one of the largest cathedrals of its time.
It is described to be an architectural masterpiece dating back to the 13th Century.
Explore the network of small streets known as the Shambles, with its timber-framed
overhanging buildings from the 14th century. Visit the famous "Betty's Cafe", a favourite with Alf and Joan.
Accommodation
You have the choice of staying in the following accommodation (Prices include accommodation, personal chauffeur guide and chauffeur-driven vehicle for the entire tour);
- Option 1: £1,500 per guest.
Six nights accommodation at Westfields Farm B&B; you will be made most welcome staying at our family-run small working farm, quite typical of one that James Herriot would have visited. We farm pedigree Dexter cattle, and sheep for local butchers and hotels. Start each day with a tasty home-cooked farmhouse breakfast.
As we own Westfields Farm and Herriot Country Tours we are able to offer more flexible tour lengths if you wish to book a shorter tour with us. Please contact us for details.
- Option 2: £1,600 per guest.
Six nights in the lower Dales; close to the market town of Bedale, described by James Herriot as “The gateway to the Dales”. You will enjoy your stay at this charming 17th Century mill house, with its restored watermill in a peaceful riverside setting. Within walking distance of the village pub.
- Option 3: £1,700 per guest.
Six nights in a public house hotel in Wensleydale; this is highly recommended as the hotel lies in the centre of the Dales and so provides an ideal base for touring Herriot Country. It is also the hotel where James Herriot spent his honeymoon. If you book well in advance it would be possible to book the actual room that he stayed in.
- Option 4: £1,900 per guest.
Six nights in this grand Country House Estate; nestled on the edge of a traditional country village, just a short walk across the green to the village pub. This splendid Country House is surrounded by its own farming estate with a family history dating over 600 years.
The Hall has also been featured over the years on different television dramas such as All Creatures Great and Small and Wuthering Heights.
- Option 5: £2,600 per guest.
Six nights in an exclusive luxury Castle Hotel; one of the highest rated Hotels in Yorkshire set in 200 acres of parkland and English landscape gardens. Lavishly furnished, this is a unique opportunity to enjoy a stately home experience, combining the traditional warmth of a family home with all the modern creature comforts of a contemporary hotel.
Prices include :
6 nights accommodation with full English breakfast.
Personal guide/chauffeur and vehicle for entire tour.
All land travel expenses.
All entry fees to stately homes, castles and museums etc.
Great Britain provides a great wealth of history together with beautiful countryside. You will see parts of England that most tourists never see or experience. Spend as much time as you need to take in the views or stroll leisurely around the ruined abbeys, stately homes and beautiful gardens. Enjoy the beauty of the hills and Dales of Herriot Country.
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