Manchester, The Peak District and Cheshire

These are three days packed with variety and interest in a region perhaps ignored by those not in on its secrets. Until recently, the ancient city of Lincoln was an unknown for many visitors, despite it having one of the country’s finest Norman cathedrals. However, the ‘Da Vinci Code’ film, where the cathedral doubled for Westminster Abbey, has put it firmly on the tourist map. Lincoln green is a colour associated with the legendary outlaw of Sherwood Forest, Robin Hood. Not everyboby realises they can actually stand under Robin’s great oak during a forest walk.

Nearby we find sites associated with those seventeenth century heroes who set sail on the ‘Mayflower’ for a new world and heroes of a modern time are commemorated at the ‘Battle of Britain Flight’ memorial and museum at Coningsby. And we must not forget Mr Straw, the anonymous hero and ‘everyman’ who battled everyday early 20th century life. Add to these fine sites the incredible scenery of the Peak District and a range of truly unspoilt picturesque villages and towns, and you have a tour difficult to surpass. It's time you were in on the secret!

TENTATIVE ITINERARY	NIGHTSTOP

DAY ONE - WEDNESDAY
We depart from our Manchester base and drive over the fabulous Pennine mountain Snake Pass towards Sheffield. The dam that is a feature of this area was used to test the famed dam-buster bouncing bomb in World War Two. Our next stop is in the village surrounding Scrooby, a quintessentially English village in north Nottinghamshire. This is one of the villages that the Pilgrim Fathers left to cross to the New World on the ‘Mayflower’. Nearby we will find the unusual house of Mr Straw. Mr Straw's is a semi-detached house built in the 1905, unchanged inside since the 1930s. The house offers a glimpse into the past, complete with family letters, photos, Victorian furniture and household objects - all seen in their rightful places, where their owners left them. There are also annual exhibitions of the family’s belongings which were previously hidden away in cupboards and draws. Visitors can find out all about The Straw's in the introductory video and hear the memories of people who knew The Straw's. Outside the house is a traditional urban garden. Thence to Gainsborough Hall, a magnificent stately home in complete contrast to Mr Straws! Finally, to our overnight base in Lincoln.	Lincoln
DAY TWO - THURSDAY
We begin our day with time exploring the astounding, historical city of Lincoln. Its magnificent cathedral was used as a film stetting for the ‘Da Vinci Code’ but, more importantly, an original of the Magna Carta is to be seen at the castle. Our walking tour of the city will also include the old Jewish area and there will be some time for independent sightseeing or shopping. This afternoon we’ll visit the Battle of Britain Memorial flight. This tremendous museum houses Hurricans, Spitfires, Lancaster bombers, Chipmunks and assorted other World War Two historical artefacts. Our tour participants may part for a while leaving those interested here while those who might not be quite as enthralled as their spouses (!), visit the town of Horncastle. This town is famed for its antique shops, Roman town walls and fine 18th & 19th century buildings including the county’s original mud and stud construction pub.	Lincoln
DAY THREE - FRIDAY
We drive the short distance to Sherwood Forest where we learn of perhaps Lincoln’s most famed inhabitant, Robin Hood! We’ll walk through part of the forest to Robin’s Great Oak tree. Our day next takes us into the fabulous Peak District. This is a region often missed by our visitors – at their cost! The scenery is delightful with dry stone walls criss-crossing the sheep covered hillsides. In the early summer months the villages dress their wells with flower petals and celebrate other quaint folk customs. Whatever time of year you’re travelling, you’ll visit the plague village of Eyam, the ‘Blue John’ semi-precious stone village of Castleton and the elegant spa town of Buxton. All in all, a truly memorable day to round off a truly memorable short tour.	Manchester (at own expense)
Note: Additional accommodation can be booked for you in central Manchester at a cost from £45 per person, B&B, in a twin share and £60 for a single. With dinner, from £60 twin share, £75 single. This tour can also be combined with a tour starting on a Saturday from any other of our departure cities of London, Glasgow, Dublin or Lille. You'd travel between cities either by rail or low-cost airline.