York, Historic Homes and the North Yorkshire Moors Railway

Staying at the Parsonage Hotel and Spa in York, enjoy a luxurious escape amidst six acres of picturesque gardens and woodland. Dating back to the 1840s, the hotel retains many of its original features and boasts a fantastic on-site gastropub, The Fat Abbott. From here, this tour will take you on a journey through time as we combine visits to some of Yorkshire’s great historic homes, such as Castle Howard and Fairfax House, with a spectacular steam train journey. We’ll also enjoy outings to some of Yorkshire’s prettiest towns and cities, including the charming York and wonderful Whitby. If you’re a lover of British history and architecture, then this is the break for you!

5 days from £825pp

Single Room Supplement from £160pp

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Your Tour Includes

  • 4 nights hotel with English breakfast
  • 4 evening meals
  • Services of an experienced Tour Manager
  • Coach transfers for our excursions

Itinerary

Please choose your preferred 5 day itinerary

Make your own way to our hotel in York where you will meet an experienced Tour Manager. Enjoy a relaxing evening with dinner and a drink served in the hotel's restaurant.

Included Meals

  • Dinner

After breakfast, we travel by coach into the centre of York and embark on an introductory walking tour with a local guide. Our tour will end at Fairfax House, one of England’s finest Georgian townhouses. We have included entrance to this remarkable house, which will transport you to the glory days of city living in 18th-century York. Fairfax House was originally the winter home of Viscount Fairfax and his daughter Anne. The richly decorated interiors and magnificent stucco ceilings make it a masterpiece of Georgian design and architecture. Set in the heart of York, Fairfax House reveals the domestic interiors in which these Georgians would have walked, the tastes and fashions of the day for architecture, interior decoration, food and furnishings, as well as the customs and habits of York’s wealthy gentry and aristocracy. A beautiful collection of furniture brings the house to life and creates a special feeling of warmth. It evokes a life once lived in comfort and grandeur, vividly recalling a lost world of townhouse living in the 1760s. 

After our visit here, we will then board our coach and travel to Nunnington Hall for an afternoon visit. Situated on the banks of the River Rye, this manor house dates back to 1249 and tells the story of three families: the Grahams, Rutsons and Fifes. Outside you will also find a walled garden and, if you are lucky, you might even spot the resident peacocks or the otters in the river. We will have ample time to explore the hall and its gardens before returning to our hotel by coach for our evening meal.

Included Meals

  • Breakfast
  • Dinner

Included Highlights

  • Fairfax House
  • Nunnington Hall
  • York and Walking Tour

After breakfast, we will make our way across the North York Moors National Park by coach to the moorland village of Goathland, also known as ‘Aidensfield’ in the television series Heartbeat. This quaint village has been attracting visitors since the 19th century and offers a small selection of independent shops and tea rooms, which you can explore during some free time.

After our visit to Goathland, we will board our coach and travel on to the much-loved seaside town of Whitby. Overlooked by the dramatic ruins of Whitby Abbey, Whitby is referenced in Bram Stoker’s Dracula, as well as being the location where Captain Cook’s ship, the Endeavour, was built. We’ll have some more free time here before we join the North Yorkshire Moors Railway for a scenic journey along the length of the line from Whitby to Pickering. We arrive into Pickering for a short stop before continuing by coach back to our hotel where dinner is served.

Included Meals

  • Breakfast
  • Dinner

Included Highlights

  • North Yorkshire Moors Railway
  • Pickering
  • Whitby
  • Goathland

After another enjoyable breakfast, we will join our coach and travel to the market town of Helmsley, where our first stop will be a visit to Helmsley Castle. Posed as a medieval fortress, a Tudor mansion and a Civil War stronghold, Helmsley Castle offers over 900 years of history.

After some free time to explore, we will continue our journey to Castle Howard in the heart of the Howardian Hills. One of Britain’s finest historic houses, it has been the private residence of the Howard family for over 300 years. First created by Charles Howard, the 3rd Earl of Carlisle, the house has seen eight generations and has also been used occasionally for TV filming. You’ll have free time to explore this delightful castle and its grounds which span over 1,000 acres and include parkland, a walled garden, lakes, waterways and wildlife.

We will return to our hotel by coach for a relaxing final evening and dinner.

Included Meals

  • Breakfast
  • Dinner

Included Highlights

  • Castle Howard
  • Helmsley Castle

After a leisurely breakfast, it is time for you to check out of the hotel and make your way home.

Included Meals

  • Breakfast

Introducing

Boasting expertly crafted itineraries and luxurious, handpicked accommodation, enjoy an indulgent escape in the UK's most desirable destinations with The Signature Collection.

The Parsonage Hotel & Spa

The Parsonage Hotel & Spa

Accommodation

You will stay for four nights at the Parsonage Hotel and Spa in York.





The Parsonage Hotel & Spa

The Parsonage Hotel & Spa

Set in six beautiful acres of gardens and woodland, the 4-star Parsonage Hotel & Spa is conveniently located just a 15-minute drive from the historic city of York. Retaining many of its original features, the hotel provides a luxurious experience, with comfortable rooms offering en-suite facilities, a TV, a hair dryer and tea and coffee-making facilities. The hotel also features a spa, including a swimming pool, jacuzzi, spa treatments and more (extra charges may apply, please pay locally), and serves delicious and hearty homemade meals from popular gastropub, The Fab Abbot.

Location: York Road Esrick, York, YO19 6EY

Hotel Facilities

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Room
  • TV
  • Tea and Coffee Making Facilities
  • Hairdryer
  • Air Conditioning
  • Free Wifi
General
  • Guest Lounge
  • Restaurant
  • Lift
  • Sauna or Steam Room
Accessibility
  • Disabled Rooms Available
  • Ground Floor Rooms on Request
Car Parking
  • Free Car Parking
Hotel
  • Guest Lounge
  • Restaurant
  • Lift
  • WiFi Available

Single Room Supplements

Single Room Supplement from £160.00

*Please note: We cannot guarantee that all our rail journeys will be steam hauled and the running order of the itinerary may change depending on availability. The final itinerary will be confirmed in your final Travel Documents.*

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