Rolling green hills and endless countryside, ancient cities and elegant spa towns, Yorkshire is a gem of a county!
The County of Yorkshire with its undulating green dale landscapes, stately period manor houses and historic links takes us from the heritage city of York, home to its Gothic Minster and Roman walls, along the stunning Yorkshire coastline, from tiny fishing villages clinging to rocky cliffs to glorious stretches of white sand and finally to the elegant spa town of Harrogate. The north of England is said to be the spiritual home of Brass bands and Yorkshire certainly has its fair share of music festivals and brass players. A very friendly and welcoming part of the country where a good cup of tea and our native dish of Fish and Chips are waiting for you to sample!
*official star rating *official star ratingOur Tour Highlights
York
Rich in history and surrounded by its ancient walls, York is the ultimate heritage city. ...more
Harrogate
The elegant spa town of Harrogate is home to magnificent buildings, colourful banks of flowers, broad tree-line boulevards and a diverse range of shops ...more
Castle Howard
Built over 300 years ago, Castle Howard’s rich and varied history is waiting to be discovered and is considered one of the most spectacular period houses in Yorkshire. ...more
Dales, Ale and Rail
The Yorkshire Dales National Park is famous for its wonderful scenery and stunning meandering landscapes. ...morePerformance Venue Highlights
The Piece Hall, Halifax
Hailed as Yorkshire’s most significant secular building, this Grade I listed building is an architectural and cultural phenomenon, the sole survivor of the great 18th century northern cloth halls, it has stood proudly at the heart of Halifax since 1779. It has recently undergone a £19 million conservation and transformation programme and provides a fascinating insight into this once thriving cloth industry.
The National Centre for Early Music
Located in the medieval Grade One listed converted church of St Margaret’s in the heart of York. This unique performance venue was converted in 2000 and transformed the building into a stunning setting. It also runs a year-round music programme promoting classical, folk, world and jazz music as well as hosting the internationally acclaimed York Early Music Festival. A truly special venue!
Hardraw Scar Natural Amphitheatre, Yorkshire Dales
The setting in this beautiful gorge, surrounded by high cliffs, provides excellent acoustics and welcomes musical ensembles to perform. It is a natural amphitheatre and is the site of a world famous annual brass band contest. Even more famous is Hardraw Force, England`s largest single drop waterfall, and is set within the grounds behind a historic inn, another excuse for a Yorkshire ale.
Ripon Cathedral
Ripon Cathedral dates back almost fourteen centuries with the present church being founded in 672 and it has been rebuilt several times since. The ancient Saxon crypt, one of the oldest in the country, is the only part of the original church that remains. The medieval woodcarvings that decorate the choir stalls are believed to have inspired Lewis Carroll with his novel, Alice in Wonderland.
Harrogate Bandstand
Located in the glorious Valley Gardens, the bandstand setting encompasses a 17-acre English Heritage Grade II listed garden in regal Low Harrogate. Popular with locals of all ages, it includes beautiful historic buildings, such as the Sun Pavilion and colonnades, and plentiful eye-catching floral borders and of course the bandstand itself.
Fountains Abbey
Veiled in a secluded valley, this National Trust property promises to surprise and captivate with its vast Cistercian abbey ruins, Georgian water garden, a medieval deer park, Elizabethan Hall and Gothic church. Performances can be arranged in the unique setting of the abbey cellarium and at certain times of the year, choirs are invited to perform in either Fountains Hall or the abbey cellarium.
Music Festivals
Why not combine your performances to Yorkshire with a visit to appreciate some of the local talent? The most notable being the Harrogate Music Festival and York Early Music Festival both in July, or why not head to the coast for music loving Whitby, hosts to a 60s music festival in May and Folk Festival in August!
Where To Stay
Crowne Plaza, Harrogate
Queens Hotel, York
Sample Itinerary
Morning Afternoon Evening Day 1 Travel to your destination from your chosen collection point Welcome drink at the hotel and time at leisure in Harrogate or York Group evening meal at the hotel and time to socialise! Day 2 Day visit to York with guided tour of the city and boat cruise Lunchtime concert in York Evening meal at the hotel and evening activity Day 3 Day excursion to the glorious Yorkshire Dales Lunch at a historic inn with afternoon outdoor concert opportunity at the Hardraw Scar Natural Amphitheatre Evening meal at the hotel and potential evening concert Day 4 Morning visit to Ripon with lunchtime indoor concert in Ripon Cathedral or outdoor concert in a nearby park Afternoon visit to Fountain’s Abbey. Potential performance opportunity Evening meal at the hotel Day 5 Morning excursion to The Piece Hall and informal performance opportunity at this historic and spectacular building Afternoon excursion to Harrogate with afternoon tea at Betty’s tearoom Farewell meal in local restaurant Day 6 Optional morning excursion Onward journey home