Fantastic group tour from Swansea to Harrogate & The Yorkshire Dales

Oh, the wonderful Yorkshire Dales! We do this trip regularly it's always as stunning as the last time and always new treasures to be found. Wayne had the privilege of accompanying this cheerful bunch from Swansea to the spa town of Harrogate and the surrounding Yorkshire Dales. This was a four-day and three-night trip to the floral spa town of Harrogate, staying at a wonderfully quaint 3* hotel, with breakfast to fill up for a day full of excursions and dinner to wrap up the day.

And off they set on their Yorkshire adventure

Our first stop on this trip was in one of Yorkshire finest and most popular tourist destination, Whitby a town located at the mouth of the River Esk where it meets the North Sea. Whitby is a charming and scenic coastal town and has much to offer, be it browsing the diverse range of independent shops which line the narrow cobbled streets of this charming town or visiting one of its historical attractions. This is the very place where Captain Cook learned seamanship and where his first ship, the Endeavour, was built. Whitby is also well-known for its Jet and Alum, minerals mined by the Romans and Victorians and now known as Whitby Jet. On the East cliff overlooking the town stands Whitby Abbey, which was featured in Bram Stoker's masterpiece novel, Dracula.

Speaking of Dracula, our group missed an biannual Whitby event which sounds very interesting. This very weekend (October 27th- October 29), Whitby hosts the biannual Whitby Goth Weekend. This incredible weekend festival fills the town's pubs, cafes, cobbled lanes, and seafront promenade with visitors darkly dressed in goth and period-style clothes. Dracula himself might roam amongst the visitors, thirsty for blood while celebrating gothic culture and perhaps he'll make time for a trip to the Bizarre Bazaar Alternative Market. It sounds like an event not to be missed! But rest assured our group made the most of their Dracula free time in Whitby.

Know as the town of Captain Cook it is fitting to set sail on a guided sailing adventure which Whitby has plenty of. One of those available is a replica of Captain Cook's HMS Endeavour; the ship he used during his scientific expedition in 1768. This voyage takes passengers around Whitby Harbour and along the coast to Sandsend and offers breathtaking views of North Yorkshire's Jurassic coastline. Passengers witness the area's many geological features and discover a wealth of fossils and minerals, including the renowned Whitby Jet. While on board the Endeavour, passengers have the chance to observe the diverse wildlife and sea birds that inhabit the area. They may also come across seals and if they're lucky, catch a glimpse of porpoises, dolphins, and even whales. All while listening to stories about Captain Cook's life and the history of Whitby. and those who are interested can also join in singing traditional Whitby sea shanties. Why not take in the whole experience. For those who want to learn more about the seaman extraordinaire can head to the Captain Cook Memorial Museum which is housed in the very house where he lived during his trainee days.

As I mentioned earlier, Whitby is well-known for the Whitby jet, a unique stone which is collected from the coastline after natural erosion has occurred. It is loved and famous for its intense black colour and its lightweight which makes it ideal for jewellery. When polished, the jet gains an amazing deep and beautiful shine, adding to its appeal. Whitby jet has been worked into jewellery and accessories since the Bronze Age, the Romans and Victorians particularly loved the stone and the latter exhaustively mined for jet on massive scales. Nowadays mining is forbidden and all jet is found and collected along the 7.5-mile stretch of the North Yorkshire coastline.

Genuine Heritage Whitby Jet is still being made in Whitby's many Jet shop and workshops, we highly recommend a visit to The Whitby Jet Heritage Centre. They offer fascinating guided tours of the last remaining Victorian jet workshop where they cover the history of Whitby and its wonderful Whitby jet and heritage. Visitors get the opportunity to see and handle rare fossils of Whitby jet and antique Victorian jewellery.

Whitby is such a lovely place and the group had a great time there.

Whitby Abbey

Whitby harbour

On the second day the group had the morning free to enjoy Harrogate, a Victorian spa town which is renowned for its floral beauty and the Victorian Pump Room which put Harrogate on the map. The Royal Pump Room Museum tells the story of Harrogate's prime time as a fashionable spa town. It was built in Victorian times and stands over four wells. It's said that over a period of time over 1,500 glasses of heavily sulphured spa water were served every day to visitors who came to 'take the waters'. The water from these wells was popular as a remedy for a many illnesses like gout, rheumatism, skin disease, and digestive complaints. Now, as an Icelander born and bread in a country very rich in hot water and sulphur, I have to say that I wouldn't recommend drinking sulphur water! It's harmless but foul and could lead to tummy aches and a rushed trip to the toilet. I digress, The Royal Pump Room is small but an interesting museum in a beautiful building with fascinating exhibits from Harrogate's spa history. If you want to experience the real thing, there are many spas to choose from in this historical town because modern day Harrogate is the go-to destination for relaxation, indulgence, quality shopping and afternoon teas. But the the town's spa history remains an integral part of its identity, with several excellent spas available, including the original Turkish Baths located in the iconic Royal Baths building at the town centre

After exploring this beautiful town a cozy rewarding visit to Betty's Tearoom is a must where customers have been served coffee, tea and goodies since 1919.

Clifford Tower

The third day was spent in the ancient city of York and the group set off from Clifford Tower for free leisurely day in York. Clifford Tower is an old giant we recommend you visit. There you can immerse yourself in England's rich history that spans over a thousand years. The tower has stood over York since 1245 when it was a part of York Castle. Today, it still stands tall. Inside the tower, you can explore various interesting exhibits that showcase the castle's history. As you make your way up to the top of the tower, you can enjoy spectacular views of York. Helpful information panels provide insights into the history of this part of York and some of its most iconic landmarks. If you enjoy heights and breathtaking views, York Minster is a must-visit place. If you are ready to brave the 275 steps up to the Central Tower, you will be rewarded with stunning views over the city. The climb is definitely worth it, as the Central Tower is the highest point in York. The York Minster is one of the most magnificent cathedrals in the world, with a history stretching back 2,000 years. Don't forget to visit The Undercroft Museum in the Minster showcases York’s history with artefacts and interactive displays. It has to be said that a trip to York is incomplete without checking out this remarkable landmark. Another unmissable enchanting York landmark are the Shambles. The group spent a good time wandering thorough the maze of narrow, twisting cobbled lanes, alleys and overhanging buildings of the Shambles. Those twisty streets are one of the best preserved medieval shopping streets in Europe. Domesday Book mentions The Shambles, so it is known that they has been in continuous existence for over 937 years. It is magical walking through The Shambles, taking in the wonky looking half timbered houses while widow shopping and eyeing up the many cafes, restaurants and chocolate shops nestled in the overhanging buildings in these narrow lanes that were actually purposely built that way. The streets were designed for meat preparing and selling. The narrowness was meant to keep the meat out of direct sunlight, It's easy to imagine the Shambles bustling with people, cuts of meat being served from the open windows. I can only just imagine the smell, I personally prefer the garlicky smell from the restaurants along with all the more pleasant aromas from the cafes, chocolate, fudge and sweet shops.

There are so many things to see and do in York. With more attractions per square mile than any other city in the UK, you are guaranteed to find something that interests you in this amazing city. The possibilities are endless, so whether you're looking for history, culture, entertainment or just a great day out, York has it all.

Another fabulous trip to Yorkshire done and we are already looking forward to coming again.

Lisa