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The Golden Age of Northumbria
From £1,745
We are sorry to inform you that due to the COVID-19 outbreak, it has become necessary to reschedule this tour. Your safety and wellbeing are our utmost priorities, so we do hope you understand this enforced change of travel arrangements. A new date will be confirmed shortly. For more information, please read our full statement about the Coronavirus here. If you are booked onto this tour, you can get in touch with our friendly sales team on 01722 713800, who are ready to help.
Summary
The Kings of the North
In an era of warfare, raiders and ruthless kings, northern England occupied a place on an international stage that placed it alongside the great powers of the continent. The kingdom of Northumbria dominated the north and under its Kings Edwin, Oswald, Ivar the Boneless and Eric Bloodaxe, it held primacy over Anglo-Viking Britain. Royal, secular and ecclesiastical patronage produced unrivalled cultural achievements in art, architecture, writing, and learning.
Meet your Experts
John Oxley
Guide Lecturer
John Oxley has worked in York since 1989 as City Archaeologist and is a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London.
Your itinerary
Day 1 - York
Arrive independently in York and gather at the hotel. This afternoon will be spent exploring the heart of the medieval city. We walk to see the city walls and York Minster with its awe-inspiring stained-glass windows. Before dinner, there will be an interesting introductory lecture.
| Hotel | The Grange Hotel, York |
|---|---|
| Meals included | Dinner |
Day 2 - Jorvik centre
Today we will walk through the city to the Yorkshire Museum, with its superb collection of finds from Roman Anglian and Viking York. This afternoon we walk to Coppergate and the Jorvik centre, where, during the 1970s, ground-breaking excavations uncovered rich evidence for the early city.
| Hotel | The Grange Hotel, York |
|---|---|
| Meals included | All meals included |
Day 3 - Brompton - Auckland
We drive to Brompton. Here, in the churchyard, are the famous hogbacks – Anglo-Viking tombstones formed in the shape of an early medieval longhouse or hall being savaged by fierce bears. On to Bishop Auckland, where the bishop of Durham had both a castle and palace. We continue to Durham and enjoy a walk through the city.
| Hotel | Royal Station Hotel, Newcastle |
|---|---|
| Meals included | All meals included |
Day 4 - Durham
We explore the Norman magnificence of Durham Cathedral, one of the best-preserved Norman buildings in Europe. Inside the building are the tombs of St. Cuthbert and St. Bede. Next, we visit Durham Castle, where the bishop, the Royal warden in the north, held power from the 11th century.
| Hotel | Royal Station Hotel, Newcastle |
|---|---|
| Meals included | All meals included |
Day 5 - Jarrow - Hexham
We drive to Jarrow to visit the remains of St. Paul monastery, once Bede’s home monastery. Amazingly, some of the original buildings remain standing around the later church. After, we drive to see another great building of its time at Hexham Abbey. We end the day with a visit to Corbridge, a Roman supply base.
| Hotel | Royal Station Hotel, Newcastle |
|---|---|
| Meals included | All meals included |
Day 6 - Bamburgh - Lindisfarne
Today we head to Bamburgh. The Norman royal castle is evocatively located right above the sands of the beach. This afternoon we make our way to Lindisfarne, where St. Cuthbert’s community produced masterpieces like the Lindisfarne gospels. We return to Durham for our onward journeys.
| Meals included | Breakfast, Lunch |
|---|
Tour dates & prices
| Tour Departure | Tour ID | Departure date | Return Date | Guided by | Price | Deposit | Single Supp. | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 September 2020 | ANOB200914 | 14 September 2020 (Monday) | 19 September 2020 (Saturday) | John Oxley | £1,745 (ex. flights) |
£500 | £325 |
Postponed Call for availability |
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