Yorkshire Philosophical Society

Event Information

Sat. 2–Mon. 4 August 2014  3 days, 2nts  £178/person S. Suppl. £10

Following the successful visit in 2010 a repeat visit, with a slightly different itinerary has been arranged for 2014, travelling by coach and staying again at the modest but comfortable Gilsland Spa Hotel on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis.

Saturday                                                         Prospective Itinerary

Dep. Memorial Gardens, Leeman Road, York 8.30a.m. for coffee etc. at Appleby Manor before continuing to nearby Acorn Bank Gardens & Mill (N.Trust). After a simple buffet lunch at Eden Hall continue to the unusual church at Wreay which has been called the most interesting building in England. Then on to Houghton Hall Garden Centre with an opportunity to visit the surprising and fascinating World in Miniature Museum and purchase tea, before continuing to Lanercost Priory remains (E.Heritage), scene of many Border raids. Then on to Gilsland Spa Hotel and dinner. Hardy souls can drink the sulphurous spa mineral water in the grounds if they choose.

Sunday

Full morning at the extensive Vindolanda excavated fort, reconstructions, and museum which includes thousands of moving letters written on wooden tablets by the ancient Wall inhabitants. Café and shop on site. Back to Gilsland Spa for included Lunch. Afternoon visit to nearby Birdoswald fort & museum (EH), followed by a visit to the Roman Army museum at Greenhead with its artefacts, models, reconstructions, and must-see video of a bird’s eye view of a trip along the Wall. Return to hotel for dinner.

Monday

Visit to Housesteads fort (EH/NT joint site) on the exposed Wall, with an opportunity for those who wish, and subject to weather, to walk a mile beside the wall to Housesteads, passing a milecastle en-route. The fort visit involves a walk uphill of about half a mile from the coach park. As well as the dramatic remains of the fort and splendid views of the Wall snaking over hills there is an EH museum near the fort and a NT Visitor Centre by the coach park to see. Then on to Belsay Hall, Castle, and renowned Gardens (EH) where lunch may be purchased and the site explored. We then move south of the Tyne to the ruins and imposing reconstructions and museum of Arbeia supply fort for goods destined for the Wall personnel. Depending on time, it may then be possible to visit Bede’s World to see what happened after the Romans moved on.

As many members have N.Trust and/or E.Heritage membership, admission charges to these sites are not included in the tour cost. Included are coach transport, 2 nights d.b.b., Saturday coffee, Sunday lunch, admission to non-NT or EH sites, and gratuities.

The tour is offered exclusively to YPS members and their friends until the end of 2013, after which it will be opened up to other likeminded bodies. Accommodation is limited.

If you would like to join this tour, please complete and return the form below together with a deposit cheque of £50 per person

Alan Owen

Tour Organiser  (Tel.  01904 791543)

To : –  Alan Owen,  Yorkshire Philosophical Society, The Lodge, Museum Gardens, York  YO1  7DR

Tour to Hadrian’s Wall

Please reserve  …………. place(s) for me on this visit in ….single…twin…double room  (Please circle appropriately)

To receive confirmation of booking, please provide email address (preferred) or SAE

A deposit cheque for  £ ……….. (£50/person) is enclosed, (cheques to Yorkshire Philosophical Society please)

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Balance of tour cost will be required by 30 May 2014.