Newcastle, Northumberland and the Northeast

Embark on an all new highlight to discover the inspiring landscapes, vibrant towns and cities plus unique steam heritage of England’s Northeast.

• Stay throughout at Newcastle’s Crowne Plaza hotel, perfectly located for easy access to the Northeast’s finest castles, churches, heritage railways and scenic attractions.
• Experience the region’s remarkable railway heritage with visits to the award-winning Beamish Living Museum, the Stephenson Steam Railway, and the heritage lines at South Tynedale, Tanfield, Weardale and Aln Valley.
• Travel on the recently reopened Northumberland Line between Newcastle and Ashington, restored to passenger service in 2024 after more than 60 years.
• Explore the spectacular Northumberland coast, visiting the tidal Holy Island of Lindisfarne and its ancient priory, the magnificent Bamburgh Castle, and the breathtaking scenery of the Northumberland Coast National Landscape.
  

Thursday 27 May

London to Newcastle by First Class rail

Your holiday begins in the First Class lounge as you await your LNER rail journey from London to the vibrant city of Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Relax in your First Class reserved seat and enjoy complimentary refreshments as you travel north along the East Coast Main Line. On arrival in Newcastle, transfer to the Crowne Plaza Hotel, perfectly situated in the heart of the city. The remainder of the day is at leisure to relax or perhaps enjoy your first taste of Newcastle’s lively Quayside and historic city centre. (L D)

Friday 28 May

Beamish Living Museum and Angel of the North

Step back in time today with a visit to the award-winning Beamish Living Museum.

This remarkable open-air museum recreates life in Northeast England during the Victorian and Edwardian eras, complete with vintage trams, steam locomotives, traditional shops and historic streets brought to life by costumed interpreters. On our return to Newcastle, we pause for photographs at Antony Gormley’s iconic Angel of the North, one of Britain’s most recognisable modern sculptures. The evening is free for you to enjoy Newcastle at leisure. (B D)

Saturday 29 May

Steam in the Pennines, Roman Britain and Hadrian’s Wall

A day combining railway nostalgia with ancient history begins as we travel into the beautiful North Pennines to board a steam-hauled train on the delightful South Tynedale Railway. Sit back and enjoy the unspoilt scenery as your heritage train winds through one of England’s most scenic landscapes. Continuing by coach, we visit the remarkable remains of Epiacum Roman Fort before reaching one of Britain’s greatest historic monuments – Hadrian’s Wall. Built nearly 2,000 years ago to mark the northern frontier of the Roman Empire, this UNESCO World Heritage Site offers spectacular views and fascinating insights into Roman Britain. We return to Newcastle this evening for dinner at our hotel. (B D)

Sunday 30 May

Tanfield Railway and Stephenson Steam Railway

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast in the hotel this morning, with a free morning to explore Newcastle. Later, we visit the historic Tanfield Railway, the world’s oldest railway, where a traditional afternoon tea.???
Following arrival back to East Tanfield, we visit the Stephenson steam railway. 

We then return to Newcastle for dinner at the hotel this evening. (B L D)

Monday 31 May 

Aln Valley Railway, Holy Island and Lindisfarne 

Following breakfast in the hotel, you take a short walk to Newcastle railway station, where we board a service heading north to Alnmouth, just up the East Coast mainline.

Following arrival at Almouth, we meet the coach for the short trip to Aln Valley railway for a return excursion. Following our return trip with a visit to the tidal Holy Island of Lindisfarne. Crossing the famous causeway (tide permitting), we visit the atmospheric ruins of Lindisfarne Priory, cradle of Christianity in northern England, and enjoy time to explore this unique island with its rich history and peaceful surroundings.

Later, the coach will transfer you over to Berwick-upon-Tweed railway station for a trip back down the East Coast mainline over the royal border bridge to Newcastle. Dinner will be at your hotel this evening. (B D)

Tuesday 1 June

The reopened Northumberland Line and Bamburgh Castle

This morning we experience one of Britain’s newest railway routes with a journey aboard the recently reopened Northumberland Line. Closed to passengers for more than sixty years, this historic railway was restored in 2024 and once again links Newcastle with Ashington. From Ashington, our private coach follows the spectacular Northumberland coastline, passing through the attractive seaside villages of Seahouses and Beadnell. We pause at picturesque Beadnell Harbour before continuing to magnificent Bamburgh Castle, dramatically perched above one of England’s finest beaches. Enjoy time to explore this imposing fortress and its magnificent coastal setting before returning to Newcastle for dinner. (B D)

Wednesday 2 June 

Railway Heritage of the Northeast

Our final full day celebrates the region’s extraordinary railway heritage. We visit the heritage Weardale Railway for a specially chartered trip along the line, before continuing to Locomotion, home to one of Europe’s finest collections of historic railway locomotives and rolling stock. Throughout the day, discover how the Northeast became the birthplace of the modern railway and the engineering innovations that transformed the world. Returning to Newcastle, enjoy dinner with your fellow travellers one last time. (B D)

Thursday 3 June 

Return to London

After breakfast, we bid farewell to Newcastle and board our LNER service for First Class travel back to London, where we end this memorable journey through the spectacular landscapes, remarkable railway heritage and historic treasures of England’s Northeast. (B L)