Our first trip of the year is to Liverpool to see two new attractions. We shall visit the Anglican Cathedral for a guided tour and then have the opportunity to visit the new Visitor Centre, which tells the story of the Cathedral and has a changing series of exhibitions. For the fit and able there will be the opportunity to climb the tower to enjoy spectacular views over the city. After lunch we shall transfer by coach to Albert Dock to visit the new Liverpool Museum, telling the history of the city. You may also like to visit the other museums around Albert Dock if time permits - these include the excellent Maritime and Slavery museums. Or you may prefer to make your own way to visit the Catholic Cathedral or Liverpool’s other attractions.

Papplewick is Britain’s  best preserved working Victorian Water  Pumping Station. It has its original steam engines of 1884 set in a profusion of stained glass windows, elaborately decorated columns and polished mahogany. Here we shall have coffee or tea and biscuits before a private guided tour. This will be followed by lunch in Nottingham.

Thrumpton Hall is a private Jacobean gem, rarely open to the public. The house includes a priest hole and Byron memorabilia. We shall have a private guided tour led by a family member and opportunity to explore the lovely gardens. We shall be served afternoon tea and biscuits in one of the reception rooms in the house before departure.

A Richard III Day! We visit the Battlefield site at Bosworth and have a short but informative guided tour to the traditional battle site at Ambion Hill. We will also meet a 15th C soldier in armour for a fascinating private demonstration of mediaeval warfare and weaponry in a private tent. There will also be either a Living History or Falconry display; all of this is included in our price. Later in the afternoon we go to the picturesque moated late mediaeval castle of Kirby Muxloe (EH) again with Richard III connections.

We are extremely fortunate to have secured a visit to this romantic early 19th Century Castle which is only open to private tours on half a dozen days in a year, as it is still  the  residence of the Marchioness of Cholmondeley. We shall have a private visit to the Chapel and Castle interior led by the Archivist. There will then be time to  explore the extensive and magnificent gardens, which will be at their best at this time of year. The grounds include picturesque Temple and Ruin, Water Gardens, a Lake, a Rose Garden and Aviary.

Boughton is the residence of the Duke of Buccleuch and not often open to the public. The house will be providing us with a substantial buffet lunch, made on the premises and using produce from the kitchen garden. We shall then have an exclusive private tour of the magnificent interior of the mansion. There will be time to explore the beautiful gardens and we shall have afternoon tea with a selection of cakes.
At some point in the day we shall call at Geddington to see the Eleanor Cross, one of only two preserved in England, in an idyllic village setting; these were erected by a grieving Edward I to mark the stopping places of the funeral cortege of his Queen from Lincolnshire to London.

Astley is among the top 100 in Simon Jenkins Best Houses as a superb example of an Elizabethan & Jacobean mansion. It has fine plaster ceilings and is furnished  in the 17thC style; it includes  a priest hole and the sumptuously decorated ‘Cromwell’s Bedroom’.
After lunch we shall move on to Hoghton Towers, which was first built in the 12th C. The present romantic  castle-like mansion  was built in the mid 16th C by Thomas Hoghton, the ancestor of the present owner. It has a rich history, including the knighting of a loin of beef as ‘Sirloin’ by James I in 1617. We shall have a private guided tour of the mansion, and there will be time to explore the gardens, as well as having afternoon tea, with a selection of cakes or scones.

Kirkharle was the birthplace of the famous landscape designer, Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown in 1716. He lived and worked on this estate until the age of 23 and the lake is thought to be the inspiration for many of his designs.
There is now a visitor centre around a former farm courtyard with a coffee shop and restaurant, and many craft workshops. There is also a lakeside walk and historic church.
After lunch we have a private visit to Capheaton Hall, very rarely open to the public. This  is a gem of a  medium sized Georgian country house set in small but lovely gardens. We shall be shown around this family home by the owners, Mr & Mrs Browne-Swinburne,
who will also provide afternoon tea and cakes.

Our first call will be the historic town of Stamford for lunch. Then on to the little known mediaeval gem of the Lyddington Bede House (EH). It was originally the Palace of the Bishops of Lincoln, but was later converted by Thomas Cecil into an almshouse for “twelve poor ‘bedesmen’ and two women all to be free of lunacy, leprosy or French pox”!
Deene Park is a most interesting house first built in 1514 by the Brudenell family, who still occupy it. The most flamboyant member of the family was Lord Cardigan of Charge of the Light Brigade fame, and there are many memorabilia of his career. We shall have a private guided tour of the house, which is being specially opened for us, and time to explore the lovely gardens, with their autumn colours. Finally afternoon tea and cakes will be served.

*The trips to Thrumpton and Cholmondeley  are to houses never open to the general public except for a very limited number of private guided tours. Both are limited in numbers to 40 people and so you are recommended  to book by AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. If booking, make out seperate cheques for these two in case your application is unsuccessful.

**Boughton and Capheaton are also only open occasionally and early booking is also advised for these as well.

• The pick up points vary according to demand. Departure from the York area is usually about 8 - 9am. Return from destination is about 5pm, and return to York area 7.30 - 8pm. There are comfort stops on outward & return journeys, and plenty of opportunity for refreshments and meals in the programme. The coach company is Inglebys.

• The bus will pick up at Hartrigg Oaks, New Earswick, Haxby, Wigginton, Clifton, Holgate, York City Centre, Tadcaster Road/Fulford Road, Copmanthorpe, Tadcaster, Boston Spa, Wetherby & Ferrybridge.

• Pick ups vary according to whether the trip is South, North or Westbound. Other pick ups may be arranged according to demand at Harrogate/Knaresborough, Dunnington and Easingwold. You will be advised of the pick up time and place before the trip - if in any doubt
ring up and check. - Mobile (on day of trip only) 07703 230934

• Early booking is strongly recommended - you can always cancel and get a refund or a voucher for a free future trip. The cost is a flat amount of £21.50 per trip, including public liability insurance. If you book for more than one trip and pay for them together the cost is discounted:
£40 for 2, £60 for 3, and £80 for 4 trips; 5 or more trips £19 each.
Sorry for the price increase this is due to increased insurance and fuel costs.

• To book; click HERE to view the booking form. Print the form and complete it before sending it along with your remittance to the organiser, W.R. Burton - address below.
Cheques to “Yorkwalk Ltd.”

• Enclose a stamped addressed envelope if you require a receipt.

• Admission charges are extra, and must be PAID IN CASH ON THE DAY.
DO NOT pay for admissions with your booking.

• If you are a member of the HHA or English Heritage (EH) bring your membership card, so as not to pay admission to their properties.
If HHA properties are opened specially for us free HHA admission will not apply.

• These trips are not suitable for persons under 16.

• If you have to cancel, you will get a refund up to 4 weeks before the trip.
After that you will be issued with a voucher for a free future trip, at the discretion of the organiser, up to 28 days after the trip.
Apply for refund/vouchers in writing, enclosing a stamped addressed envelope.

• No refund/voucher if you fail to turn up on the day.

• Please advise the organiser BY PHONE if you are unable to go right up to the departure time, or else the bus will be delayed waiting for you,
and somebody on the waiting list may not be able to go.

• Whilst every effort will be made to adhere to the advertised programme the organiser may have to alter it in the event of unexpected closures.
English Heritage in particular are unable to guarantee 2012 opening dates due to public spending cuts.