From your own front door pick-up you will then join your coach and travel northwards to Carlisle then follow Hadrian's Wall into Northumbria and your hotel in the village of Belford.
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Today we visit one of the most exciting contemporary gardens to be developed in the last century 'Alnwick Gardens', the inspiration of the Duchess of Northumberland. The centrepiece is the Grand Cascade and beyond is the ornamental, rose, serpent and poison gardens. Adjoining to the gardens is Alnwick Castle the home of The Duke & Duchess of Northumberland. Afternoon visit to Howick Hall Gardens rated by the BBC Gardeners' World magazine as one of the top five coastal gardens in the country.
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Today we visit probably the most amazing Victorian Estate in the country, Cragside House at Rothbury, home of Lord Armstrong, inventor, innovator and landscape genius. Built on a rocky crag high above the Debdon Burn, the house was the first house in the world to be lit by hydro-electricity. The variety and scale of the gardens are incredible and in June its spectacular display of Rhododendrons.
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After breakfast our excursion takes us to the English Heritage Site of Belsay Hall and Gardens with its fine formal gardens, unique Quarry Garden and Castle. During the afternoon you visit the nearby Wallington Hall and Gardens much of which was planned by Capability Brown.
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Sadly we must depart today but before we head home a visit to the historic city of Durham and the beautiful Crook Hall and Gardens which are on the banks of the river with fine views of the cathedral and castle.
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B=Breakfast Included, D=Dinner Included
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