Keith, our driver will be waiting for us and ready to whisk us away from the airport to the clear air of the glorious Yorkshire Dales. We will stop for lunch at Castle Howard, the beautiful setting for the BBC series Brideshead Revisited. The gardens are famous for their many varieties of Rhododendrons; this is the time of year to enjoy their first blossoms. A leisurely walk through this elegant house and garden will surely set the tone for the days to come.
The Feversham Arms Hotel in the heart of the charming village of Helmesley will be our home for the next three nights. This evening we will have an early dinner, and so to bed.

We set out today to explore the fascinating city of York. Aside from the magnificent Minster, York has buildings of architectural significance from the time of the Romans. You can shop your way through the medieval Shambles, Tudor, Georgian and Victorian streets! Our guide will show us through this lovely old city and leave you with the time to explore on your own. If you are looking for more information the Castle Museum is a font knowledge of the history of this ancient city, the Jorvik Museum tells of the Viking presence in this ancient city. For those who wish we will end the day with a special guided tour of the Minster. Evensong sung by the Minster choir is a fitting end to a glorious day in York.
Return to Helmesley for a relaxed dinner and evening

Wednesday April 16

A pretty drive this morning will take us to Burton Agnes, today's destination. Here are eight acres of varied English gardens to explore, including a maze and a large collection of hardy plants. The Head gardener will be on hand to answer your questions.
The Elizabethan manor house contains four centuries of treasures. To round off a full day we will take the coastal route back to Helmesley stopping at Flamborough Head to see the Lighthouse and an amazing colony of seabirds. Dinner at a very ancient pub with its Michelin acclaimed restaurant on the way back to Helmesley.

This morning we leave Helmesly for Newby Hall. The house is a brilliant example of John Adams creativity. We will be greeted by a family member and given a very special tour of this beautiful home followed by an introduction to the gardens by the head gardener.
Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Gardens are close by. This world Heritage site is not to be missed. We have a delightful guide to show us round, I hope that you will find this a mystical experience as the evening draws in. We will spend the next three nights at Grants Hotel in the heart of Harrogate.

Friday April 18

This promises a day of choices after a guided tour of Harrogate. Perhaps you would like to visit Harlow Carr, the Royal Horticultural Society headquarters for the North of England. These are spectacular Gardens a source of inspiration for all. Maybe you would prefer a relaxing massage. If this is your idea of heaven then you are in the right place. Take yourself off to the Turkish Baths and Health Spa- scene of high society regeneration for hundreds of years. The Baths have just been beautifully renovated and are one of Britains' best kept secrets in the art of cosseting. For others the call of the shops and Bettys' Tearoom will prove irresistible. The shopping in Harrogate is wide and varied. Needlework, antiques, cashmere, books and wonderful clothing boutiques - you won't need a guide, only more time! Dinner is on your own this evening, your choice where. I will be happy to advise you.

Harewood House has been the home of the Lascelles family for two hundred years. As a family they have collected a stunning treasury of rare art works worthy of the noble home that houses them. This is an imposing home that sits elegantly in beautiful gardens and terraces in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales. After a morning visit and lunch here we will continue on to York Gate, a Chelsea Flower Show prizewinning garden which I know that you will enjoy. Take the opportunity to talk with the owners about how they planned and designed it. This is our final night at Grants Hotel.

Sunday April 20

We leave Harrogate by way of Salts Mill at Saltaire. This original wool textile mill has been converted into a world of art, music, books flowers and shops and a general ambience of unhurried pleasure. The Gallery here is particularly dedicated to the works of David Hockney since the artist grew up in the nearby town of Bradford. I believe that you will be interested in the architecture and history of this Mill Town. From Saltaire we will drive on to Hawarth to visit the Parsonage home of the Bronte sisters. Haworth retains much of it's 18th century character. Both the village and the landscape would be recognized by the Brontes today. Perhaps you will recognize the settings for many of their books. I know that you will want to stop by one of the teashops for a bite to eat. A picturesque drive takes us to Windermere, and our hotel Linthwaite House where we will stay for the next three nights.

Monday April 21

A day to relax and explore your surroundings. Linthwaite House is a charming comfortable Hotel, and it is very tempting to stay put for the day with a good book. For those of you ready to explore we will take a pretty drive past the celtic standing stones at Castle Rigg. From here we have an incredible view of the Lake District, on a clear day you can see even see the Irish Sea! On through Keswick to Bassenthwaite there to visit a true Lakeland house, Mire House. After lunch at a pretty lakeside restaurant, we will return to Grasmere for shopping in the village, or to visit Dove Cottage and Wordswoths home at Rydal Mount.
Dinner at Linthwaite House.

April is the most beautiful month in the Lake District. Today's drive past fields of lambs frolicking in fields edged by beautiful white blossomed May leads us to one of the prettiest lonely lakes, Tarn Howes. We will drive here and take a walk around the Tarn. Back on the coach from where Keith will drive us down to the waiting steam yacht Gondola to be ferried across the lake to Brantwood, the home of John Ruskin. Ruskin was a leader in the Arts and Crafts movement and there is much to learn from his home and spectacular garden. Dinner at Linthwaite House.

Wednesday April 23

Sadly this is our last day in the Lake District. We cannot leave without visiting Hill Top Farm, the home of Beatrix Potter and inspiration for many of her her books, for example the Tale of Two Bad Mice and that of Peter Rabbit. Close by is the village of Hawkeshead. Not only Ms Potter but Wordsworth too, spent a part of their life in this town. After a happy morning of exploring we drive south through leafy Grizedale Forest to the delightful Elizabethan Manor, Levens Hall. You will be amused by its imaginative use of topiary in the gardens of this house. Dinner at a favourite restaurant on the way to Manchester Airport where we will stay, this last night, at the Radison Hotel .

After breakfast we will depart for Dallas on the 10.30am flight.