Described by Simon Jenkins in 1000 Best houses as "the most perfect house to survive from the middle ages", this remarkable old house is surrounded by terraced Elizabethan gardens and is set amongst the rolling countryside of the Peak District National Park. Haddon has featured in many films and TV programmes including, most recently Pride and Prejudice starring Keira Knightly, Mathew MacFadeyn, and Dame Judy Dench & also BBC’s 2006 production of Jane Eyre.

Beaumaris is a well known historic town on the Menai Strait with its medieval castle dating back to the reign of Edward I and its Victorian pier, gaol & courthouse.  Plas Newydd is set amidst breathtakingly beautiful scenery on the Menai Strait, this elegant house was redesigned by James Wyatt in the 18th century. There is a fine spring garden and Australasian arboretum, with an under storey of shrubs and wild flowers, a summer terrace and massed hydrangeas, which give autumn colour.

Bodnant Garden is one of the most beautiful gardens in the UK, spanning some 80 acres and is situated above the River Conwy on ground sloping towards the west and looking across the valley towards the Snowdonia range. The garden has two parts. The upper garden around Bodnant Hall consists of the terraced gardens and informal lawns shaded by trees. The lower portion, known as the’Dell’ is formed by the valley of the River Hiraethlyn and contains the wild garden.

Llandudno is Wales  largest resort, uniquely situated between the Great and Little Ormes with two wonderful beaches, the award winning North Shore and the quiet, sand duned West Shore. Llandudno has kept its Victorian and Edwardian elegance and splendour, despite its modern attractions.

Lyme Park is set in the foothills of the Peak District with magnificent views across the Cheshire Plain, the house sits in the middle of this 1,400 acre medieval deer park – home to almost 450 red and fallow deer. Surrounded by 17acre garden, Lyme featured as 'Pemberley' in the BBC's 1995 adaptation of Pride and Prejudice. Lyme Park is owned and managed by the National Trust.

Buxton, the cultural capital of the Peak District, as a spa town, has been a popular holiday resort for centuries. Based at the heart of the Peak District in the county of Derbyshire and blessed with stunning scenery, magnificent architecture, a wealth of shops and a thriving arts scene coupled with its world famous spa water, Buxton has plenty to offer any visitor.

After a  two course lunch served at the Calf's Head, we are pleased to offer the opportunity to visit the stunning Stoneyhurst College. Find out how the students live during term time whilst also seeing the exquisite interior of the college. A large collection of artifacts and historically significant objects are on view during the guided tour.

Yorkshire's finest historic house & estate. Home to the Howard family for over 300 years, Castle Howard is a magnificent 18th-century residence set within 1,000 acres of breathtaking landscape. Visit and enjoy world-renowned collections, stunning architecture and inspiring family stories. Relax amid idyllic gardens, enjoy woodland and lakeside walks. Castle Howard's changing programme of events and exhibitions offers something for all the family.

Chatsworth is the home of the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire, one of Britain's best loved historic estates and the heart beat of the Peak District National Park. With famous works of art, a working farmyard, spectacular fountains and the finest shopping and eating, there is something for everyone to enjoy.

After a short stop at Clitheroe Market, we travel to the Calf’s Head @ Worston for pre booked two course lunch with tea/coffee. After lunch we travel to Townley Hall.

A visit to the Lake District isn’t complete without seeing the 400 year-old home of its most famous resident, William Wordsworth. Nowhere else will you see a collection of buildings and objects with such historical and cultural significance.

Visit the home of the Earl and Countess of Harewood. Harewood sits at the heart of Yorkshire. The House, one of the treasure houses of England, was built in the mid-18th century and has magnificent interiors by Robert Adam, furniture by Thomas Chippendale and paintings by JMW Turner, Reynolds, Titian and El Greco, among others. An Italianate Terrace, designed by Sir Charles Barry, stretches along the South Front of the House and provides stunning views of Lancelot 'Capability' Brown's landscape and lake. The collection of paintings, furniture and porcelain is as fine as any in the land, and the setting is Yorkshire’s most beautiful landscape. But that’s not all. Harewood is just as much about today as it is about history. There are exhibitions of contemporary art, an award-winning educational department and gardens overseen by the Professional Gardener of the Year. If you love art or gardens or walks in the English countryside, or if you’re looking for a family day out, a cultural experience or a romantic afternoon, come to Harewood. We think you‘ll be delighted.

After some time for shopping & sightseeing in Lancaster, a two course lunch is booked at ‘The Borough’ frequented by Gordon Ramsey, and awarded a Michelin recommendation for its food. Later we visit Leighton Hall, a  very much lived in house, brought to life by the enthusiasm of the guides, there are no roped off areas and visitors can enjoy their tour without being asked not to touch.

Uniquely situated where three counties meet, the 7 acres of lawn and stunning borders of Burford House Gardens sweep along the banks of the picturesque River Teme. Originally designed by the late John Treasure in 1952 around an early Georgian house the gardens contain a National Clematis Collection. Today around 400 varieties of clematis are on display in the gardens flowering from early spring through to early autumn, all cleverly interwoven amongst a wide variety of other traditional and unusual plants.

Visit Ripon Market

or

Newby Hall & Gardens including admission

Powis Castle is laid out under the influence of Italian and French styles .The world-famous garden retains its original lead statues, an orangery and an aviary on the terraces. Perched on a rock above the garden terraces, the medieval castle contains one of the finest collections of paintings and furniture in Wales.

Welshpool Nestles into the upper reaches of the picturesque Severn Valley near the border between Wales and England. The bustling Market Town is surrounded by the rolling hills of Montgomeryshire and the glorious unspoilt countryside in Mid Wales. Traditionally an agricultural service centre, Welshpool possesses the largest sheep market in Europe and the feeling of a traditional hard working market town still remains today.