England Lake District, Gardens, and Castles

Your journey to England begins with an overnight flight to (NCL) Newcastle Upon Tyne Airport. Please note your flight will be booked multi-city, into Newcastle and home from Manchester: Home/NCL and MAN/Home. (Meals on plane).

PLEASE NOTE: Strabo has included all breakfasts and four dinners. Those that wish to get a take-out meal or have a meal on your own can do so for other dinners and all lunches. If the weather cooperates the group can stop at a local grocery store and enjoy a lunch or dinner outside.

Check in time is approximately 3PM, tonight’s hotel has been included to relax after the flight, or perhaps go on a walk along the River Tyne or old town on your own. The Millennium Bridge can be an interesting photo op at dusk. The hotel can be reached via a taxi ride from the airport or contact Strabo Tours if you would like private transfer arranged. Overnight Newcastle Upon Tyne Hotel (Meals on own)

Last night was to prepare for an early start this morning to photograph the amazing landscape and the historical Hadrian’s Wall. Travel to the great outdoors with highlights which include Crag Lough, Castle Nick, Rapishaw Gap, or perhaps one of the highest peaks – Sewingshield Crags. Continue on to the Northeast Coast for two evenings photographing the beautiful landscape amidst the least traveled park of England. Not for its lack of beauty, simply because it is the furthest away from London and more populated areas. From your home base for these two evenings there will be photo ops along the coast of Holy Island of Lindisfarne, explore the 9-acres of Bamburgh Castle, up-close and from a distance with the long sandy beach in the foreground and surrounding sky.

A visit to Northumberland would not be complete without a visit to the Victorian Cragside House, gardens and woodland in Rothbury. One of the largest rock gardens in England leads down to a beautiful Iron Bridge and formal garden. Overnight Newton by the Sea (B, D; B)

Depart early this morning and travel south to the lovely seaside villages of Whitby and Robin Hood’s Bay. On the East Cliff of Whitby, overlooking the North Sea, is the ruined Gothic Whitby Abbey, which was Bram Stoker’s inspiration for “Dracula”. Robin Hood’s Bay is a picturesque old fishing village along the Heritage Coast. Continue on through the North York Moors to just outside the Yorkshire Dales National Park. Photo stops along the way to your accommodation for the evening. Overnight Harrogate (B, D)

Rise in time to be at the gate opening of the photogenic ruins of Fountains Abbey. The dramatic architecture  is the largest monastic ruin in the country. Step back into a rich and dramatic past and immerse your camera and yourself into the age of the 1100’s when the Benedictine monks from York came to escape from the extravagance of the boisterous city style. Another beautiful site is a place referred to as Crackpot Hall. The abandoned 18^th-century farmhouse lies in ruins near the village of Keld in Swaledale.

Continue on after your morning shoots and enter the Lake District National Park. The Lake District is a magical region, frequented by poets and artists alike. They have turned nature in to art. Enjoy four full days here amidst so many amazing landscapes. There is a reason William Wordsworth lived in various homes in the Cumbria District – never ending inspiration. Travel at a relaxed pace to immerse yourselves in the beauty. Nancy and your local guide will tap into these inspirational locations each day, which you will each photograph in your own vision.

Speaking of poet Wordsworth, his last home, just outside the lovely town of Ambleside, is the lovely Rydal Mount and Gardens with beautiful views of Lake Windermere, Rydal Water, and surrounding woodlands. You can take an optional tour of the home or meander during your visit through the five acres of gardens, amazing natural fells and paths Wordsworth designed himself.

A beautiful view from a hilltop above Loughrigg Fell may present itself in good light just outside Ambleside. Lake Coniston is considered to be one of the most beautiful in the district with yet another lovely, yet smaller village than the more famous towns in the region. Keswick in the Northern area of the lakes and Windermere, in the South will certainly provide photogenic opportunities for your small group, yet the majority of time the group will spend in the great outdoors landscapes.

Another day closer to Keswick is Castlerigg Stone Circle, it is one of the earliest and the most dramatic of England’s stone circles, with panoramic mountain views. Lowther Castle near Penrith is considered a ruin on a grand scale, if open it will be worth a visit to the castle and gardens. Pooley Bridge is another famous site on Lake Ulswater where given proper weather conditions a traditional boat ride will be in order, after all you are in the Lake District.

There are several museums and traditional arts and craft places to visit should there be inclement weather, however your guides prefer to have more outdoor photography in the tiny village of Hawkshead, the home of Beatrix Potter with picture perfect squares, quaint traditional buildings and architecture. Overnights Keswick (B; B, L; B, D; B)

Enjoy another morning in the wonderful landscapes of the Lake District, photograph previously visited sites in different light or perhaps some lesser known places, favorites of your local guide. Make your way south and west to the City of Manchester.  Your driver will deliver you to your airport hotel, where you will be on your own for the evening or perhaps join Nancy and others for a farewell toast to end the program

Everyone can depart in time to check-in for their flight onward. The hotel has shuttle service taking you to the airport in time for your flight. (B)