Spend four days exploring the beautiful northern Pennines region of England, based at a lovely hotel in the beautiful and unspoilt countryside of Teesdale. Discover the delightful, quiet roads of Swaledale, Teesdale, Tynedale and Weardale, visiting some of the wonderful castles and stately homes along the way. Drive along Hadrian’s Wall and enjoy some of England’s best scenery.

This tour is now fully booked. Contact us if you wish to be on the waiting list, in case of any cancellations.

Accommodation

Stay at Headlam Hall, a superb 17th century country house hotel with a luxury spa and golf course standing in beautiful walled gardens and surrounded by its own rolling farmland estate. This rural retreat sympathetically blends excellent hotel facilities with old-world charm to offer a relaxing and comfortable environment. Old stone walls, wooden floors and huge fireplaces evoke the rich history and character of this warm and welcoming Jacobean hall. The entire hotel is booked for the XK Club, so it’s like a grand country house party!

Itinerary

Day One – Sunday 27 September

Assemble at the tour hotel – Headlam Hall, Gainford, Durham, in the late afternoon and settle in. Meet for pre-dinner drinks and introductions in The Edwardian Suite at 7.30, followed by dinner at 8pm.

Day Two – Monday 28 September

An easy drive into Swaledale for a brief visit to Richmond (optional coffee halt) or Reeth before driving over The Stang into Teesdale. Lunch will be taken at a famous hostelry. The afternoon is free with options to visit Bowes Museum and Barnard Castle, or Raby Castle, the home of Lord Barnard. Alternatively, just go back to Headlam to hit a few golf balls or have a rest in the hot tub.

Day Three – Tuesday 29 September

A short drive to Eddleston Hall & Gardens for an early coffee and visit. Then a great drive through and over the Pennines for lunch in a castle. Follow this route east along General Wade’s military road by Hadrians Wall and then via Lanercost Priory up onto the Pennines once more and through Alston, England’s highest market town. We continue down the high moorland and through Middleton-in-Teesdale to Headlam Hall. Meet 7.30 in The Edwardian Suite for Dinner at 8pm

Day Four – Wednesday 30 September

Another super drive through Weardale and Tynedale and over the Pennine moors with a coffee stop at Killhope and then on to lunch at that sporting mecca, Slaley Hall. After lunch we head back over the high moors by Blanchland and Stanhope (not through the ford) and back to our hotel. Drinks party at 7.30 in The Edwardian Suite followed by Final Dinner at 8pm.

Day Five – Thursday 1 October

Dispersal day – but – we have an interesting route down through Yorkshire for a farewell lunch near Harrogate at Millstones 67 Bistro. Now you are free to depart for home.

Details

Duration: 4 days

Price: per person, based on two people sharing a twin or double room. Single occupancy will incur a surcharge, so please call for details.

Classic Room – £550

Deluxe Room – £575

Junior Suite – £595

Premier Suite – £630

Please state which room type you require on the booking form. Rooms are subject to availability.

What’s included

What’s not included

• This tour is only open to members of the Jaguar XK Club
• You are also required to carry a warning triangle, first-aid kit, two fluorescent jackets, set of replacement bulbs and a national identification sticker.
• Dinner on most evenings will be a smart-casual affair, and a jacket and tie is usually expected for men.
• However, the most important requirement is that you take pleasure in motoring through fabulous scenery, relish individual, character hotels and enjoy the company of like-minded travellers – and the odd glass of Champagne!