ENGLAND
5 DAYS from £440
East Lancashire Railway Credit Pat Kilner
Bewitched by Lancashire’s Enchanting Houses & Gardens
UPDATED TOUR
Barton Grange Garden Centre
Lancashire is a county of contrasting landscapes, captivating history and fascinating folklore and on our exciting tour we visit some of this region’s absolute gems. A guided tour of untamed countryside reveals the chilling story of the Pendle Witch Trials of 1612, and we enjoy spectacular visits to Leighton Hall and Gawthorpe Hall as well a journey back in time with a journey on the East Lancashire Steam Railway.
LONG STANDING PARTNER
PACKAGED ITINERARY
Day 1 Arrival We arrive at our hotel in time for dinner.
Day 4 Leighton Hall & Barton Grange We spend this morning at Leighton Hall, a romantic Gothic stately house surrounded by magnificent rolling parkland, and ancestral home of the furniture making Gillow family. We will be made to feel part of the family as we explore the splendid rooms and collections of furniture and artefacts during the relaxed and interesting guided tour of the house. Before our departure from Leighton Hall we enjoy an afternoon tea in style. As we make our way back to the hotel, we have time to stop at Barton Grange, a garden centre with a wow factor. It won the Destination Garden Centre of 2022, and we have free time for a wander. Day 5 Departure After breakfast, we make our way home. INCLUSIONS • 2-hour step-on guided Pendle Witch Experience • Admission to Pendle Heritage Centre • East Lancashire Railway single journey Bury - Rawtenstall • Entrance to Gawthorpe Hall • Guided tour of Leighton Hall & afternoon tea
Day 2 Pendle Witch Experience & Heritage Centre This morning we embark on a spellbinding guided tour to discover the chilling story of the Pendle Witches, the most famous witch trials in English history. The Pendle Witch Experience brings their history to life as we retrace their steps throughout this wild and unspoilt area which has changed little in 400 years. We finish our tour at the Pendle Heritage Centre which houses exhibitions on the story of the notorious Pendle Witches as well as Park Hill & the history of the Bannister family. There will be free time to explore exhibitions as well as the 18th Century Walled Garden and of course time for refreshments in the tearoom overlooking the garden. Day 3 Bury Market, East Lancashire Railway & Gawthorpe Hall This morning, we head straight to Bury and its famous market – voted Britain’s best – where we can browse the extensive stalls in the large market hall and outside. After an early lunch it is time to board our train as we step back in time for a nostalgic trip on a steam train along the East Lancashire Railway . Our journey takes us through the beautiful Lancashire countryside to Rawtenstall where we disembark. Our final stop is Gawthorpe Hall, affectionately known as the “Downton of the North” and is a fine example of Elizabethan architecture. NB: East Lancashire Railway is subject to timetable.
Mercure Dunkenhalgh Hotel & Spa Blackburn, Lancashire plus Originally a 700-year-old country manor house, the Mercure Dunkenhalgh has been sensitively converted into a 4-star hotel, retaining many original features in the public areas, including an impressive gothic staircase in the entrance hall. All 175 bedrooms are of a good size, decorated in neutral tones and is equipped with a TV, hairdryer and tea/coffee making facilities. Meals are served in the contemporary restaurant and there is also an atmospheric bar area where customers can relax. For ultimate relaxation, the hotel has extensive landscaped grounds to explore, an indoor heated pool, sauna, jacuzzi as well as treatment rooms. Please note due to the historic nature of the building, rooms are split across several wings which can have external access, steps to the rooms and can also be a fair distance from the public areas. • Lift • Ground floor rooms • Coach parking is on-site & free of charge 4 Nights Half Board Twin from £440pp Double for Sole Use Supplement from £120 Based on Monday arrivals
MIX & MATCH
Choose either itinerary from either hotel on pages 160 & 161. Please ask for details.
Leighton Hall © Crosby Granger
Gawthorpe Hall
Albatross Approved Rating: ✓ Visited ✓ Inspected ✓ Graded
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