A new tour based on the NE coast
Book NowDeparture date 15th September 2025 5 days £600.00pp
Single supplement £10.00 per night
Your holiday includes:
Washington Wetland Centre
Historic City of Durham
Hartlepool's Maritime Experience Pass
Cream Tea at Hotel
Auckland Project All Access Pass
Mining Gallery
Faith Museum
Spanish Art Gallery
Auckland Tower
Auckland Castle & Gardens
Day 1 Monday
Depart from your home area in the morning travelling to Hartlepool and arriving late afternoon at the Best Western Grand Hotel. Enjoy a warm northern welcome with tea, coffee and biscuits as we settle in for 4 nights of dinner, bed and breakfast.
Day 2 Tuesday
This morning we head along to the Washington Wetland Centre where a friendly warden will greet us and take us on a guided tour of the site. It’s a chance to see a wide variety of wildlife species that make the River Wear their home and as a special bonus, there are resident flamingos and otters. This afternoon we visit the historic city of Durham, acclaimed as a World Heritage Site and dominated by the magnificent Norman cathedral sitting high above the river; you have free time here to explore.
B, DDay 3 Wednesday
After a leisurely breakfast, we visit Hartlepool’s Historic Quay - a faithful reproduction of an 18th-century seaport portraying the exciting experience of life in the times of Nelson and Trafalgar. The centrepiece is the HMS Trincomalee – Europe’s oldest floating warship. You’ll also find the Museum of Hartlepool & PSS Wingfield Castle all included in the Maritime Experience ticket. Later in the afternoon we enjoy a cream tea at the hotel and relax before tonight’s dinner.
B, DDay 4 Thursday
After a leisurely breakfast, we make the journey west to Bishop Auckland and Auckland Castle. This proud home of the Bishops of Durham stands as one of the best-preserved Bishop’s Palaces in Europe. Enjoy time at leisure to explore the castle where staterooms are designed to tell the history and story of the bishops that lived here. In the grounds of the castle, you can explore the 17th-century walled garden which often provides fresh produce for the café menu.
This afternoon we have included an all-access pass to the other attractions in the town centre managed by The Auckland’s Project. Choose from the Mining Art Gallery, the Spanish Art Gallery, the Faith Museum and Auckland Tower providing 360-degree views of the castle, Bishop Auckland and the surrounding rural area. The choice is yours and you are free to explore at leisure.
Day 5 Friday
After a hearty breakfast, we depart the hotel and begin the journey home with fond memories of our time in the North East.
BB=Breakfast, D=Dinner
This is a new tour to us and it has a lot packed in, with a great variety of activities and sights.Includes a guided tour of the Washington Wetland centre and a chance to explore the maritime history of Hartlepool. We visit one of the best preserved Palaces in Europe plus an all-access pass to visit other attractions run by the Auckland Project.
The Best Western Grand Hotel, Hartlepool, 4* www.bestwestern.co.uk
Originally a former British Railway Hotel, Best Western The Grand Hotel in Hartlepool has recently been lovingly restored and refurbished to a high standard. The grand, iconic building is recognised throughout the city and is well-known for its friendly environment and proximity to attractions. Having undergone a £1.3m refurbishment the hotel boasts a range of fully equipped bedrooms, onsite dining, hi spec lounge and a stylish fully stocked Bar 1899; once you stay there, they say you won't want to leave.The hotel has a lift.
All rooms have ensuite facilities, free Wi-Fi, phone, flat screen TV, tea and coffee tray, complimentary toiletries and hairdryer.
Below is a list of pick-up points available on this tour.
Below is a list of pick-up points available on this tour.
Name | Address |
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Ashingdon Golden Cross | Golden Cross, By Fox (Welcome Homes) |
Barking, North St | North Street, Barking,outside St Margaret's Church |
Barkingside | Barkingside, Fulwell Cross, by Swimming Baths |
Basildon | Southernhay, long layby opposite Bus Station |
Billericay Sun Corner | Sun Corner, Laindon Road, Billericay |
Brentwood | Brentwood High St, by Dairyman (Argos) |
Canvey Island - Canute | King Canute PH, Canvey Island |
Canvey Island - Haystack | Long Road, Canvey Island, Haystack |
Chalkwell Park | Chalkwell Park Bus Stop |
Chandos Garage Hockley | Chandos Garage Hockley |
Cricketers Westcliff | Cricketers Bus Stop, Southend on Sea |
Dagenham Wood Lane | Wood Lane, Dagenham, Opp Morrisons |
Eastwood - Kent Elms | Kent Elms Corner, Eastwood, Rayleigh Road |
Eastwood - Rochford Cnr | Rayleigh Road, Eastwood, Rochford Corner |
Eastwood Jones Corner | Eastwood, Rayleigh Road, Jones Corner Bus Stop by Brookside Tavern |
Folkestone services XX | Eurotunnel- Stop 24 Junction 11 on M20 |
Grays Oak PH | Oak PH, Socketts Heath, Grays |
Hadleigh - Vic House Cnr | Vic House Corner, Kiln Road, Hadleigh |
Hadleigh Church | Hadleigh Church, Bus Layby |
Harold Wood | Bus Stop Station Road Harold Wood by Coop |
High Rd, S Benfleet | High Rd S.Benfleet by Benfleet Travel opp Shell Ga |
Hockley Spa | SPA ROAD Bus Stop, Hockley |
Hornchurch | North Street, Hornchurch, Fire Station |
Ilford | Clements Road, Ilford, by Travelodge IG1 !BA |
Kents Hill Lights | Kents Hill Lights Bus Stop, London Road, Benfleet |
Kiln Road (Kenneth Road) | Kiln Road (Kenneth Road) - Thundersley |
Leigh on Sea - Elms | Elms PH, London Road, Leigh on Sea |
Leigh on Sea - Thames Dr | Thames Drive, Leigh on Sea |
M25 Thurrock Services | M25 Thurrock Services Coach Park |
North Shoebury Road | Bus Stop , North Shoebury Road, (St Marys Church near Asda) |
Pitsea | Old Gala Bingo, Pitsea SS13 3AH |
Rayleigh Websters Way | Websters Way, Rayleigh, opp Rayleigh Lanes |
Rochford Station Bus Stop | Rochford Station Bus Stop, Bradley Way |
Romford | St Edwards Way, Romford, Bus Stop 'H' |
Shenfield | Shenfield Station |
Shoeburyness - Kathryn Ct | The Cambridge.(Kathryn Ct.), Shoeburyness |
South Benfleet Clare Rd | Tarpots Coach Stop (opp Clare Road), Sth Benfleet |
South Benfleet St Marys | St Mary's Church, Layby, South Benfleet |
Southchurch Tyrrel Drive | Southchurch Road - Tyrrel Drive (Swintons) |
Southchurch White Horse | White Horse Bus Stop, Southchurch |
Southend Airport | Bus Stop, Southend Airport, Eastwoodbury Crescent |
Southend Queensway | Bus Layby, Rear of Sainsburys, Southend |
Stanford le Hope Rookery | Rookery Corner, SLH (St Cleres Hall Golf Club) |
TBA | TBA |
Thorpe Bay Station | Bus Stop, Acacia Drive, Thorpe Bay |
Upminster | Station Approach, Upminster |
Vange Barge | Vange Barge Bus Stop, High Road, Pitsea |
Wakering Crouchmans | Wakering High St/ Crouchmans Avenue |
West Leigh Schools | West Leigh Schools, London Rd, Leigh on Sea |
Westcliff on Sea Bell PH | Bell PH, Rochford Road Bus Stop |
Westcliff on Sea Palace | Palace Theatre, Westcliff on Sea |
Wickford Halls Corner | Halls Corner, opp Police Station, Wickford |
x Benfleet Hopes see hope | xxxxxHopes Green, High Road,xxxxxxxsee new p/up |
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