North Yorkshire and the Heritage Coast
Holiday Highlights
- Afternoon tea in a private room at the iconic Betty’s Tearooms
- A scenic drive to Whitby with free time to explore
- Tour of historic York
- Visit UNESCO listed Fountains Abbey and Studley Water Garden
- Experience “The North Yorkshire Moor Railway” from Whitby to Pickering
- Discover the hidden treasures of Harewood House
What's Included
- The price of this holiday is per person, based on two people sharing a twin room. Single rooms are subject to availability at the relevant supplement. The price includes:
- Four nights accommodation
- Daily breakfast and two dinners (and a choice to book a hotel dining package for 2 nights from £50 per person)
- All local accommodation taxes
- The services of a Riviera Travel tour manager
- All tours and excursions as mentioned
Itinerary
Day 1
Arrive at your four-star hotel in the charming city of Harrogate and make yourself at home. There is plenty of parking at the location for those who have driven by car, with a nearby train station if you prefer to make your way by rail. Or if you’d like us to help arrange train tickets or even arrange a private car, our team are on hand to help personalise your experience. This afternoon, we visit the iconic Betty’s Tearooms for a delectable private afternoon tea in the Imperial Room. First opened in 1919, the story of Betty’s doesn’t start in Harrogate as you might think but in Switzerland. Fritz Bützer was the orphaned son of a baker, who despite a very difficult start in life decided when he was a young man to leave Switzerland, after training as a confectioner and chocolatier, and seek a new life in England. After working at a Swiss-owned confectioners, he fell in love with his landlady’s daughter, and married and with the families help the first Betty’s opened for business! Afternoon tea at Betty’s has been popular since the 1920’s and a selection of delicious sandwiches, cakes and of course Betty’s own tearoom blend tea will be served while you get to know your fellow travellers. They’re also famous for their Fat Rascals, fruity scones with a cherry topping, so look out for those in their working bakery.
Day 2
The day begins with a drive to Pickering , known as the “ gateway to the North York Moors, “to take what, has been described as one of the world’s greatest heritage railway experiences “The North Yorkshire Moor Railway” from Pickering to Whitby We travel through the North Yorkshire National park, starting with the Vale of Pickering bordered by the Cleveland Hills to the North, the Hambleton Hills to the West, and the magnificent coast to the East, the beauty of the landscape, history and nature combine to create something truly special. The line itself passes through the beautifully restored stations of Grosmont and Goathland, famously used for the Harry Potter films and in the long running TV series Heartbeat. We arrive in Whitby , home of the iconic Abbey ruins which inspired Bram Stoker to write “Dracula”, making Whitby the place where count Dracula came ashore. The views from the headland are stunning and can be reached by taking the famous 199 steps up to the Abbey . Or you may prefer explore the old town with its cobbled lanes leading to the traditional harbour, it’s the perfect place to wander and explore the many shops and workshops that sell the famous Whitby jet, a semi-precious organic gemstone that can be polished to a mirror finish. The history of Whitby jet actually goes back to the bronze age, Romans in Britain used it in magical amulets, but it was made most famous during the Victorian period when it was used as a mourning stone, these days it’s made into traditional and more modern jewellery. It’s also home to the Captain Cook memorial museum, where you can learn about the famous explorer’s life. If that’s not your thing, then maybe enjoy some of the world-famous fish and chips Whitby has to offer by the harbourside washed down with a locally brewed beer? We leave Whitby in the late afternoon travelling back through the North Yorkshire National park arriving at our hotel in the late afternoon/early evening early (On some occasions, this day may operate in reverse).