Welcome to Luxury England Tours
Over 10 days, discover the character and beauty of northern England, from the historic streets of York to the lakes and fells of the Lake District. Taking in Yorkshire, Northumberland, Cumbria and the Peak District, this journey brings together some of England’s most celebrated landscapes and historic destinations.
With a private driver and executive touring vehicle, travel in comfort through the changing countryside, exploring ancient Roman sites, grand country estates, and the places that inspired some of Britain’s best-loved writers, including Beatrix Potter, William Wordsworth, and the Brontë sisters. From Hadrian’s Wall to the shores of Lake Windermere, each region offers a different perspective on the north and its rich heritage.
Along the way, stay in carefully selected country house hotels, enjoy private guided experiences, and discover the local food and character of each destination. Balancing cultural discovery with time to take in the scenery, this is a considered way to experience the north of England.
Every journey we create is fully bespoke. Should this itinerary inspire you, our travel designers can integrate your experience with tailored luxury tours in Scotland and exclusive tours in Ireland, crafted just for you.
Accommodation – The Grand, York (2 nights)
Transport – Train from London to York
Activities – Enjoy York at your leisure
Your journey begins by train from London to York, in the heart of northern England, where centuries of history are woven into everyday life. On arrival, check in to The Grand, York, housed in the former headquarters of the North Eastern Railway. Its grand Edwardian architecture recalls another era, while the interiors offer a more contemporary take on luxury. Settle in for the next two nights, with the city’s historic centre close at hand.
With the afternoon at leisure, take the opportunity to ease into your surroundings. The Museum Gardens offer a peaceful escape in the heart of the city, where the atmospheric ruins of St Mary’s Abbey sit among the greenery. Alternatively, find a traditional tearoom and take time over a pot of tea and something sweet. There’s no need to pack too much in today; it’s a chance to ease into your stay before a fuller day of exploring tomorrow.
This evening, head to The Pearly Cow for dinner, where the menu celebrates the best of land and sea. Seasonal produce takes centre stage, with an emphasis on quality ingredients and dishes that let the produce speak for itself. It’s a fitting introduction to York’s dining scene, and a relaxed start to your stay.
Accommodation – The Grand, York (2 nights)
Transport – We can request your driver to be on standby.
Activities – Private Walking Tour of York, York City Walls, The Shambles, York Minster
This morning, meet your private guide for a bespoke walking tour through the historic heart of York. Along the ancient city walls, discover the stories behind York’s Roman origins, Viking heritage, and medieval prosperity, with your guide offering a fascinating insight into the people and events that have shaped the city.
Continue to the Shambles, one of the city’s most distinctive streets, where overhanging timber-framed buildings and narrow cobbled lanes offer a glimpse into York’s medieval past. As you explore, your private guide will share the history behind this remarkable street and its transformation over the centuries.
No visit would be complete without stepping inside York Minster. One of the finest Gothic cathedrals in Europe, it features soaring vaulted ceilings and extraordinary medieval stained glass, making it a truly memorable sight.
After a day exploring York’s rich history, return to The Grand for some time to unwind before the evening. Later, make your way to The Royal Oak, a traditional pub known for its cosy atmosphere and selection of local ales. Settle in for a relaxed dinner in homely 15th-century surroundings, a great way to round off a day discovering the city’s past.
Accommodation – Matfen Hall, Northumberland (2 nights)
Transport – Executive vehicle & private chauffeur
Activities – Castle Howard House & Gardens, North York Moors National Park, Angel of the North
Today, leave York behind and head north with your private driver, travelling in the comfort of your executive touring vehicle as the landscapes of Yorkshire unfold along the way. It’s a chance to discover a different side of northern England, from grand country estates to the wild beauty of its open moorland.
Begin at Castle Howard, one of North Yorkshire’s most celebrated country estates. Set within an expansive estate of landscaped gardens, ornamental lakes and woodland, this magnificent stately home offers a glimpse into a bygone era. Take time to admire its grand interiors and explore the grounds, where sweeping views stretch across the Yorkshire countryside. Beyond the estate, the scenery opens into the North York Moors National Park, where rolling hills and heather-clad moorland reveal a quieter side of northern England.
As you approach Newcastle, pause at the Angel of the North, Antony Gormley’s monumental sculpture and one of the North East’s most recognisable landmarks.
By late afternoon, arrive at Matfen Hall, a grand country house hotel nestled in the Northumberland countryside. Settle in for the next two nights before heading to the Emerald Restaurant, where seasonal ingredients and thoughtful cooking set the tone for your stay in this corner of northern England.
Accommodation – Matfen Hall, Northumberland (2 nights)
Transport – Executive vehicle & private chauffeur
Activities – Northumberland, Hadrian’s Wall visit including Roman Army Museum & Vindolanda and Corbridge Roman Town
Northumberland’s landscape holds centuries of history, none more fascinating than the legacy of Roman Britain. With your private chauffeur, journey into the countryside surrounding Hadrian’s Wall, where ancient forts and settlements offer a glimpse into life on the edge of the Roman Empire.
Begin at the Roman Army Museum, where immersive exhibits reveal the lives of soldiers stationed along the frontier. Nearby, explore Vindolanda, an awe-inspiring archaeological site where the remains of a Roman settlement bring the past to life. Among its remarkable discoveries are Britain’s oldest surviving handwritten documents, offering rare insights into everyday life nearly 2,000 years ago.
Your exploration continues at Corbridge Roman Town, once an important settlement and supply centre for the Roman army. Wander among the excavated streets and ancient buildings, discovering another perspective on Roman life in northern England.
Return to Matfen Hall for dinner at Cloisters, the hotel’s contemporary grill restaurant. Set beneath a striking glass ceiling within the historic courtyard, it pairs an elegant setting with a menu of salt-aged steaks and locally sourced fish. Enjoy a relaxed dining experience surrounded by the character and heritage of this Northumberland country house.
Accommodation – Storrs Hall Hotel, Windermere (3 nights)
Transport – Executive vehicle & private chauffeur
Activities – Lake District National Park, Beatrix Potter’s Hill Top Farm, Wordsworth’s Dove Cottage
Today, discover the Lake District National Park, where glassy lakes, rugged fells, and picturesque villages have inspired generations of writers and artists. This is a landscape that has long captured the imagination, and today offers an opportunity to explore the places that shaped two of England’s most celebrated literary figures.
Begin at Hill Top, Beatrix Potter’s former home in the village of Near Sawrey. This charming farmhouse, with its cottage garden, offers a glimpse into the life of the beloved author and illustrator. Look out for the details that inspired many of her much-loved stories and brought the world of Peter Rabbit to life.
From here, head to Dove Cottage in Grasmere, where William Wordsworth lived with his sister Dorothy. Step inside the modest home where he wrote some of his most celebrated poetry, discovering how the surrounding landscape influenced his work.
Later, arrive at Storrs Hall Hotel, a Georgian country house set on the shores of Lake Windermere. Settle in for a three-night stay before dinner at The Lake Edge Restaurant, where seasonal dishes and views across the water offer a lovely introduction to your Lake District stay.
Accommodation – Storrs Hall Hotel, Windermere (3 nights)
Transport – Executive vehicle & private chauffeur
Activities – Grasmere Gingerbread Shop, Lake District Walk, Kendal
Today is all about the quieter pleasures of the Lake District, from traditional Cumbrian treats to the region’s beautiful walking country. Begin in Grasmere at the much-loved Grasmere Gingerbread Shop, tucked inside the village’s former schoolhouse. Here, the famous gingerbread has been made to a closely guarded recipe since 1854, making it a delicious piece of local history to take home.
With the fells and lakes providing a spectacular backdrop, spend part of the day enjoying a walk through the surrounding countryside. Whether following gentle paths beside the water or venturing further into the hills, the Lake District offers scenery that rewards every step, with sweeping views and peaceful stretches of landscape along the way.
Next, your private chauffeur will transport you to Kendal, a historic market town known for its independent shops, handsome stone buildings, and distinctive Kendal mint cake. Take time to explore its streets before returning to Storrs Hall Hotel, your lakeside retreat on Windermere.
This evening, dine at The Bistro at Storrs Hall Hotel, where a relaxed atmosphere and thoughtfully prepared dishes provide a welcome end to another day exploring Cumbria.
Accommodation – Storrs Hall Hotel, Windermere (3 nights)
Transport – Executive vehicle & private chauffeur
Activities – Windermere, Boat trip on Lake Windermere
Having spent the past two nights at Storrs Hall Hotel, overlooking Lake Windermere, today is an opportunity to explore more of the lake and its surrounding landscape. One of the Lake District’s most celebrated sights, its waters are framed by wooded shores, rolling fells, and grand lakeside houses. Step aboard a fully restored heritage boat for a leisurely cruise across the lake, passing secluded bays, wooded islands and impressive waterfront properties along the way. From the water, the surrounding fells take on a different perspective, revealing the scale and beauty of the Lake District’s scenery.
Back on shore, spend some time exploring Windermere and neighbouring Bowness-on-Windermere, where independent shops, inviting cafés, and views across the water make for a relaxed afternoon. Take time for a coffee or enjoy a stroll along the waterfront before returning to Storrs Hall Hotel.
This evening, dine at The Lake Edge Restaurant, where seasonal cooking and views across Windermere provide a beautiful backdrop for dinner, allowing you to make the most of your lakeside setting.
Accommodation – The Peacock at Rowsley, Bakewell (1 night)
Transport – Executive vehicle & private chauffeur
Activities – Brontë Parsonage Museum, Haworth, Hebden Bridge & Heptonstall, Scenic drive through the Peak District National Park
Leave the Lake District behind and journey south through Yorkshire, where literary heritage and characterful villages reveal another side of northern England.
Begin in Haworth at the Brontë Parsonage Museum, once home to Charlotte, Emily, and Anne Brontë. Explore the lives of the sisters and the stories behind their celebrated novels, including Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights, before taking a stroll along Haworth’s cobbled main street. Its independent shops and traditional tearooms make the perfect excuse to linger a little longer.
Further south, stop in Hebden Bridge, a lively canal-side market town known for its independent spirit and creative community. Nearby Heptonstall, the resting place of Sylvia Plath, offers a quieter contrast, its historic cottages and old church ruins lending the hilltop village a distinctly timeless feel.
As you travel south, take in a scenic drive through the Peak District National Park, where rolling hills, limestone valleys, and dry-stone walls shape the Derbyshire countryside.
By evening, arrive at The Peacock at Rowsley, an elegant boutique country house hotel tucked into the Derbyshire Dales. Settle in before dinner at the hotel’s restaurant, where seasonal cooking makes the most of the region’s produce.
Accommodation – The Grand, York (1 night)
Transport – Executive vehicle & private chauffeur
Activities – Bakewell Town, Chatsworth House & Garden
Begin the day in Bakewell, a charming market town in the heart of the Peak District. Best known for its famous Bakewell pudding, it’s a lovely place to browse the local shops or pause for a coffee before continuing through the Derbyshire countryside.
A short drive away, Chatsworth House awaits. Home to the Dukes of Devonshire for generations, this magnificent stately home is renowned for its art collection, grand interiors and expansive gardens. Explore the house before heading outside to admire the landscaped grounds and sweeping views across the estate.
Later, journey north to York for your final night in northern England. Check in to The Grand, York, where elegant Edwardian architecture and contemporary comforts provide a memorable setting for your last evening.
For your final dinner, head to The Cut & Craft, a popular York restaurant known for its striking interiors and premium steaks. Enjoy a leisurely evening in the heart of the city before your train journey back to London tomorrow.
Transport – Train from York to London
After your journey through northern England, it’s time to return to London. Board your train in York and enjoy the journey south, reflecting on the places you’ve discovered along the way, from the historic streets of York to the peaceful shores of the Lake District. With a wealth of memories from your time exploring the north, arrive back in the capital, bringing your journey to a close.
