ITINERARY 2020

Art Treasures of North East Castles, chateau and cathedrals – ancient Durham’s hidden treasures

The Bowes Museum, Photo Visit

Overview Immerse yourself in the spectacular art treasures of Durham one of Northern England’s most historic cities - voted best city in the UK by Condé Nast magazine. Durham’s strategic role in defending the border with Scotland, led to immense powers being conferred to the Bishop of Durham, the “Prince Bishop” with powers to raise armies, mint coins and levy taxes. For 800 years the Prince Bishops ruled a semi-autonomous buffer zone between the English and the Scots and the legacy of their wealth and power is written in the region’s palatial architecture, its reputation as place of learning and its libraries and its art works.

Visiting some of the country’s finest buildings, including Durham Cathedral, Raby Castle and the Bowes Museum, this tour will take you to Durham’s UNESCO World Heritage site, dominated by its Norman Castle and 12th century Cathedral, as well as to the region’s traditional market towns and the rugged beauty of the Durham Dales - part of the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

We will enjoy privileged access to the University’s outstanding modern art collection and behind the scenes tours with conservators at The Bowes Museum, the magnificent French style chateau built by John and Josephine Bowes in the 19th century to house their

UK Countryside Tours, Art Treasures of www.ukcountrysidetours.com TEL: (604) 899-9249 or Toll Free 1 855 900-9249 pg. 1 extraordinary and eclectic collection of textiles, ceramics and art works. The Bowes is home to one of the most exceptional collections of fine and decorative art in Europe, including its iconic Silver Swan - an 18th century musical automaton, which has been admired by visitors from around the world for over 200 years.

Highlights

 Immerse yourself in the captivating city of Durham, with its winding cobbled streets, vibrant cafés and prestigious university.  Discover Durham Cathedral, a place of worship and learning for 1000 years, housing the tombs of St Cuthbert and St Bede, the cradle of Christianity in Northern England.  Enjoy exclusive behind the scenes access to the Bowes Museum, the jewel in the heart of the historic market town of and home to one of the finest collections of fine and decorative art in Europe.

Entry and departure points Manchester airport

Tour Director and specialist contributors

Jan Williams is an award-winning Blue Badge Guide, based in the North East of England with extensive experience of guiding for study groups and special interest groups, including the English speaking international market. Clients include USA operator Elder Hostel (now Road Scholar), Odyssey Traveller (Australia), British Council Summer Schools, Summer Academy (University of Durham), Tailored Travel (NADFAS groups), Ciceroni Travel and Heritage Group Travel. Jan is passionate about the North East and currently holds professional memberships of The British Guild of Tourist Guides and the Institute of Tourist Guides. Jan is also a Trainer and Examiner for the Institute of Tourist Guides.

Outline Itinerary

Day 1 Arrival into Manchester and transfer to Durham.

Day 2 The day begins with a scene-setting, short guided walking tour of Durham City, before arrival at Durham Cathedral where an in-depth and extended tour of this UNESCO World Heritage Site will take place, exploring the Cathedral’s architectural development, history and its works of art. To conclude the day, afternoon tea will be enjoyed at historic Crook Hall and Gardens, a 13th century Grade I listed Medieval hall, close to the city’s busy market place overlooking the Hall’s idyllic English theme gardens.

Day 3 Enjoy a tour of Durham University's modern art collection in the stunning Palatine Building, conducted by Henry Dyson, the University’s Keeper of Fine Art. Continue to UK Countryside Tours, Art Treasures of North East England www.ukcountrysidetours.com TEL: (604) 899-9249 or Toll Free 1 855 900-9249 pg. 2 Durham University’s Oriental Museum - the only museum in the North of England devoted entirely to the art and archaeology of the great cultures of Northern Africa and Asia – to enjoy a talk on the collection - Ancient Egypt to Modern China.

Day 4 Discover the land of the Prince Bishops and their palatial residence at Aukland Castle, one of the best preserved examples of a medieval Bishop’s Palace in Europe . Uncover surprising parallels between the powers of the Bishop of Durham and the Charter for the governance of Maryland, granted by Lord Baltimore in 1632. Auckland Castle has a thousand years of history and is at the centre of a wider sacred Christian landscape which may be 1500 years old.

Day 5 Visit historic market town, Barnard Castle and enjoy a specialist of the internationally renowned Bowes Museum. Discover its delightful collections of fine and decorative arts, and the romantic story which led wealthy businessman John Bowes and his French actress wife Josephine to create this exceptional French style chateau to house them. Continue to privately owned Rokeby Park, an outstanding 18th century Neo-Palladian villa set picturesquely in the Durham Dales countryside. Discover amongst its treasures the exquisite needlework “paintings” of Anne Eliza Morritt and connections to the Scottish writer and poet Sir Walter Scott, who was inspired whilst visiting to compose his epic poem “Rokeby”.

Day 6 Explore Raby Castle - one of the best-preserved castles in Northern, Lord Barnard's home provides over 600 years of history and a glimpse of life throughout the ages. Raby was home to the medieval warrior family, the Earls of Westmorland, and birthplace of Cicely Nevill “the Rose of Raby” (1415-1495) - mother of two English kings who were at the heart of the Wars of the Roses - Edward IV and Richard III. Raby’s fine interiors and architecture span the Medieval, Victorian, Georgian and Regency periods providing a magnificent backdrop for the stunning art collection including works by Sir Joshua Reynolds, Anthony Van Dyck and the American Neo-classical sculptor Hiram Powers. A visit High Force waterfall, inspiration to many artists including JMW Turner completes this tour of Durham’s artistic.

Day 7 Transfer to Manchester airport

Activity level

Moderately active (meaning walking in the countryside / parkland estate of a country estate – walking moderate distances on unsurfaced paths)

For further information

Please enquire for pre- or post-tour extension options.

For further information contact UK Countryside Tours [email protected] or

UK Countryside Tours, Art Treasures of North East England www.ukcountrysidetours.com TEL: (604) 899-9249 or Toll Free 1 855 900-9249 pg. 3 TEL: (604) 899-9249 or Toll Free 1 855 900-9249

UK Countryside Tours, Art Treasures of North East England www.ukcountrysidetours.com TEL: 01629 700648 or US Toll Free 1-844-221-3366 pg. 4