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Download the brochure
Northumbria is one of the most spectacular and unspoilt of England’s counties. Rugged moorland
bordered by the Cheviot hills forms a dramatic landscape that contrasts with the fertile green wellwatered dells. Famous as one of the earliest centres of Christianity, Northumberland is also known for the magnificent castles and numerous tower houses that characterise the countryside and reflect the county’s turbulent history on the Scottish borders. Less well-known are the many fine houses and gardens that lie hidden in the sheltered wooded valleys.
Alnwick Castle, built from the 12th century, is splendidly situated above the River Aln. Its richly decorated state rooms boast a world-class collection of paintings. Mighty Bamburgh Castle is dramatically sited on a volcanic outcrop overlooking the sea with views to lonely Holy Island and Lindisfarne Castle. Country houses of all periods abound, many still lived in by the families who have owned the estates since the Middle Ages. We visit Capheaton Hall, a delightful house of 1668, home to the ancient Browne-Swinburne family; Seaton Delaval (1718-29), one of Vanbrugh’s most dramatic and powerful houses; Wallington Hall, with its sumptuous Italianate plasterwork (1740-42) and important Pre-Raphaelite paintings; Bywell Hall, a fine Palladian house of 1766 with many art treasures. At Belsay Hall and Nunnykirk Hall we see two chaste early 19th- century Greek Revival houses. For the 20th century, we visit dramatic Lindisfarne Castle, remodelled by the great architect Sir Edwin Lutyens as a romantic retreat for Edward Hudson, owner of Country Life.
Northumberland is also known as the cradle of Christianity. Lindisfarne was home to St Cuthbert c.634-687, the most famous of the monk bishops, whose healing miracles caused the remote island to become became a leading pilgrimage centre. Here in the 12th-century a magnificent Norman Priory was built.
A characteristic of the county are the many delightful unspoilt market towns and villages which we shall see on our journeys. We also visit some notable gardens: the beautiful period gardens of Wallington Hall, the romantic richly-planted quarry gardens at Belsay, the Lutyens-Jekyll garden at Whalton Manor and the magnificent ‘Capability’ Brown park at Alnwick Castle. Here we also enjoy the spectacular Formal Gardens, the most ambitious garden project created in England since the Second World War.
Tour Leader
The tour will be led by Barbara Peacock MA FRSA, founder of Wessex Fine Art and Architecture Tours in 1982. She has since led numerous successful tours in Britain and overseas. Her particular interest is the country house and its associated historic landscape. She lectures internationally for organisations such as the National Trust, the Art Fund and The Arts Society.
The Full Programme
Download the brochure for full details of the daily schedule, visits, costs, how to book and terms and conditions.
Hotel
The **** Linden Hall Hotel and Spa will be our base for the tour. Conveniently situated between Alnwick and Morpeth, the hotel was built as a family home in Regency Grecian style in 1813 and has many period features. Set within 450 acres of landscaped grounds, many of the well-equipped bedrooms have fine views. Since becoming a Hotel, the house has been extended to provide more bedrooms and a spa with swimming pool. The nearest station is Morpeth, 10 miles away, on the main line from King’s Cross. Participants coming by train will be returned to the station at the end of the tour, which will finish in the early afternoon of June 26, 2027. Taxis can be arranged for the day of arrival.
Booking and Fees
The 8-day tour will cost £3190 per person in a twin-bedded or double room, £360 single supplement.
A £400 (non-refundable) deposit (per person) guarantees your place on the tour.
Terms and Conditions
Cancellation charges are as follows:
56 days or more before start of course - loss of deposit
55 - 43 days before start of course - 50% of the total
42 - 29 days before start of course - 60% of the total
28 - 22 days before start of course - 85% of the total
21 - 0 days before start of course - 100% of the total
It is a condition of booking that you arrange travel insurance to protect yourself against loss. In the unlikely event of cancellation by WFASC we undertake to refund you in full within 14 days all monies paid to us in course fees.
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