Monday
Departing Cobham services around 08:30 we head north by motorway, stopping at the medieval town of Stamford for free time to look around and obtain an early lunch. We continue north arriving late afternoon at Crowne Plaza Hotel Harrogate.
Tuesday
We start today with a visit to the market and spa town Knaresborough. The town centre is perched on the cliffs above the River Nidd and offers a great place to enjoy a cup of tea or something delicious and home baked. Knaresborough Castle is a ruined fortress overlooking the River Nidd, A stronghold of medieval kings, from here we return to Harrogate for free time. Harrogate boasts the world-famous Betty’s tearooms, founded in 1919 by a Swiss confectioner. This afternoon enjoy a stroll through the lovely Valley Gardens and maybe Afternoon Tea at Betty’s or visit the Royal Pump Rooms Museum to find out why Charles Dickens said that ‘Harrogate is the queerest place with the strangest people in it, leading the oddest lives.
Wednesday
After a hearty breakfast we depart for a full day’s tour around the Yorkshire Dales National Park We head towards Masham then on towards Middleham and along Wensleydale past, Aysgarth arriving at the magical little market town of Hawes, it is also home to world famous Wensleydale creamery. Here we will have time for lunch. After lunch we will head back south to the hotel via the Ribblehead
Viaduct, Horton in Ribblesdale to Settle and across country to Harrogate.
Thursday
After a leisurely breakfast we leave Harrogate and head for historic York. We have the day to explore this fascinating city with lots of attractions to keep you busy, such as the National Railway Museum, Jorvik Centre, the City Walls, the little streets, and alleyways in the centre, not forgetting the magnificent Minster, you may even fancy tea and cakes at famous Betty’s Tea Rooms (Booking is advised). We return to our hotel by late afternoon.
Friday
We depart our hotel and head south towards the Peak District National Park and visit Bakewell with its riverside walks and Old Pudding Shops. We depart in the afternoon by motorway and travel
southwards, returning to the local area by 18:00/19:00.
Crowne Plaza Hotel, Harrogate
The Crowne Plaza Hotel is superbly situated just a short walk from Harrogate town centre and gardens. The stylish rooms are decorated in natural colours, and each features air conditioning, tea/coffee facilities, a spacious work desk and Freeview TV. All rooms have a private bathroom, and many have scenic views.
Amenities
*Lift *Porterage *Bar *Restaurant *En suite Bedrooms *Tea and coffee making facilities in the room *Leisure facilities