Day 1. Welcome to the Blackwell Grange
We pick you up from your door and journey to Darlington. Tea/coffee on arrival.
Day 2. Catherine Cookson Country and Darlington
This morning we head to South Shields, home of the late Catherine Cookson where we pick up our tour guide. We head along the coast road, past Marsden Bay, Whitburn and Seaburn with a guided commentary. We finish back in South Shields where we can enjoy lunch, before returning to Darlington for the rest of the afternoon.
Day 3. Pennines Scenic Drive
We head through the countryside to the small market town of Stanhope, right on the edge of the Pennines. We stop here for a break and time to explore. Maybe visit the Durham Dales Centre, which has a cafe. Later, we head through the rugged terrain of the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty to Alston where we stop for lunch. There is a variety of tea rooms and cafes, as well as independent shops to look around during our stop. We then head over the scenic hills as we descend to Barnard Castle, a market town where we have time to explore its many shops.
Day 4. Whitby and the North Yorkshire Moors
We enjoy a morning drive via the North Yorkshire Coast to historic Whitby. The town’s skyline is dominated by the ruins of St. Hilda’s Abbey, high on the East Cliff, whose churchyard gave Bram Stoker the inspiration to write Dracula. Spreading below in the old town, a maze of alleyways and narrow streets run down to the busy quayside. We return via the scenic Cleveland Hills.
Day 5. Homeward Journey
Sadly, we wave goodbye to our hosts at the Blackwell Grange, arriving early evening for our taxis home.