Kynren Castle Raby and Railway Heritage

 

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Thursday 13th – Monday 17th August 2026

5 days

Blackwell Grange Hotel

The Blackwell Grange Hotel is a stunning 17th-century mansion which enjoys an enviable setting in beautiful grounds on the outskirts of Darlington. Hotel facilities include a leisure club with a heated indoor swimming pool, spa and sauna. All bedrooms are en suite and have television, radio, telephone, hairdryer and tea & coffee making facilities.

 

Thursday-Depart from your home area to the North East arriving late afternoon at Blackwell Grange Hotel. 4 nights stay – dinner, bed and breakfast. Tea/Coffee and biscuits served on arrival.

Friday-Today we make for Barnard Castle. In this little town you can see where Dickens immortalised ‘Dothboys Hall’, take a look at Cromwell’s refuge, browse around the antique shops or visit the castle itself, high above the Tees. This afternoon, we visit Raby Castle one of the finest Medieval Castles to remain in Britain and the resident home of the Vane family since 1626. 
Saturday-This morning, we journey South to the Market town of Northallerton, where it is market day. Tonight we head to Bishop Auckland to watch Kynren – an epic tale of England. Taking place on a vast landscaped stage with a huge lake at its centre hiding a host of surprises.You’ll meet many of the characters and events that have shaped England from the Roman occupation through to World War II, history will unfold in front of your eyes, thanks to a cast and crew of almost 1,500 performing on a vast open-air stage. The scale of the show must be seen to be believed. Spectacular sets appearing as if by magic, mass choreography and fierce battles are illuminated with dazzling special effects, effervescent lighting and pyrotechnics, set to a spine-tingling original score which you’ll experience in movie-like surround sound.
Sunday- Today we embark on a journey through railway history. We begin with a visit to Hopetown Museum for a guided tour. A newly restored museum on the site of the Darlington & Stockton Railway the first passenger transport line when it was opened in 1825. The site showcases how trains opened a gateway for the lower classes at the time to travel and see sights outside of their local area. Later, we head to Shildon and Locomotion - the National Railway Experience and home to many famous locomotives, including the one that hauled the first passenger train.

Monday-After breakfast we leave and head for home.

 

Highlights

• Kynren- An Epic Tale of England

• Raby Castle

• Hopetown Museum

• Shildon Railway Experience

 

Ref: PEL106

Four nights dinner bed and breakfast

Price £595.00

Single Supplement: £96.00