Overview

Join us for Christmas in County Durham and enjoy a super Christmas programme as well as spending time in some of the great places of the region that have played such an important part in England’s history and culture. We include visits to Helmsley, lovely Thirsk and historic Durham.

Your Accommodation:

The Blackwell Grange Hotel is a stunning 17th Century mansion, which enjoys an enviable setting in the beautiful County Durham countryside. The hotel is nestled in wooded parkland in Darlington, located between the North Yorkshire Moors and the Pennines. Hotel facilities include leisure club with heated indoor swimming pool, spa and sauna. All bedrooms are en-suite and have television, radio, telephone, hairdryer and tea & coffee making facilities.

Your Itinerary:

From your front door to the waiting coach for the drive north making suitable refreshment stops before arriving at our hotel mid afternoon for a welcoming drink. Time to settle in before tonight’s dinner which is follower by light entertainment.

Christmas Eve This morning we drive through Bilsdale – “Little Switzerland” on the way to Helmsley, with its huge market square, where we take a break for lunch. Afterwards we descend spectacular Sutton Bank on the way to Thirsk, home of James Herriot, for a short break before returning to the hotel. Tonight, we enjoy some more hotel entertainment. For those wishing to attend Midnight Mass details of local church services will be available at reception.

Christmas Day - Merry Christmas! Enjoy a relaxing morning, open your presents, maybe take a stroll to work up an appetite for Christmas Day Lunch. Father Christmas will be popping in for a visit. This afternoon, listen to the King's Speech with a slice of Christmas cake, maybe watch a movie, and get ready for tonight’s Christmas Day Buffet, followed by a quiz and music from the hotel’s resident DJ.

Boxing Day This morning we travel to the ancient and historic city of Durham, acclaimed as a World Heritage Site and dominated by the magnificent Cathedral and Norman Castle nearby, high above the River Wear. We have chance to explore the historic city, maybe visit the Cathedral. There is a wide range of shops to explore and lots of opportunities for lunch. Away from the bustle you can stroll along wooded riverbanks offering a peaceful retreat below the peeling bells of the Cathedral. We have a final evening of entertainment after dinner.

After a leisurely breakfast we bid farewell to our hosts before the homeward journey. We return to our home area and waiting taxis after a most enjoyable Christmas break in the North East.