Destinations for 2023

Keswick (9:00 am – 6.00 pm)

From Newton Aycliffe we drive straight to Keswick, when disembarking the coach each senior citizens will receive £15.00 in cash, to purchase their own lunch, the town centre has a wide variety of cafes, pubs and restaurants to choose from.

The heart of this pretty Lakeland town is the Market Square, surrounded by many independent shops, there are no cars allowed in this area which makes for a very pleasant shopping experience. Hope Park is one of Keswick’s major attractions, positioned between the town and Derwentwater with attractive landscaped gardens, stream and woodland walk, set in magnificent scenery overlooking the fells.

Derwentwater is only a ten-minute walk from the town centre, to its west, rise the fells of Cat Bells, and to the east is the fantastic viewpoint of Friar’s Crag, jutting into the lake. You can take a stroll round the lake edge or take a 50-minute cruise round the lake on the Keswick Launch. The coach will depart at 4.00pm at Booths Supermarket.

Whitby (9:00 am to 5:15 pm)

After leaving Newton Aycliffe we drive straight to Whitby, this ancient fishing port boasts connections to Captain Cook and Dracula. It’s quirky narrow streets and bustling harbour, overlooked by the striking Gothic ruins of the Abbey.

You’ll have time to wonder round the harbour, take in the sights and sounds of a working fishing port, this is also where HMS Bark Endeavour is docked, entry £5.00, experience what life was like for Captain Cook and his crew in the 1760’s.

For your enjoyment £15 will be issued to you on the coach, so you can lunch at any of Whitby’s wonderful eateries at a time that best suits you.

After lunch you can explore the East side of the river Esk, where a wide range of independent shops are situated. The West Cliff is home to the whalebone arch which commemorates the town’s maritime heritage, take a stroll along the West Pier, you can sit and enjoy the amazing views of the Abbey.

The RNLI Lifeboat Museum (free entry) celebrates Whitby’s lifeboat history with a treasure trove of memorabilia from famous wrecks and rescues. The coach departs at 3.45pm at the main coach park.

South Shields (10:30 am – 4:00 pm)

This excursion is perfect for anyone preferring a shorter day, from Newton Aycliffe we drive straight to The Little Haven Hotel, South Shields. The hotel is uniquely situated at the gateway of the River Tyne and on Little Haven beach. Lunch will be served at 12:00 noon.

After lunch why not have a leisurely stroll along the modern promenade, taking in the artwork and sea views as you go. From the hotel it’s only a 5 minute walk to North and South Marine Park. North Marine Park has recently undergone a transformation to return it back to its Victorian splendour, the park enjoys great views over the coastline.

Arbeia Roman Fort is only an 11 minute walk from the hotel, entrance to the museum and fort site is free. Step into the fort and immerse yourself in the world of the romans right in the heart of South Shields. Explore inside the full-scale reconstructed Roman buildings and one of the finest collections of finds from Roman Britain.

The coach departs Little Haven Hotel at 3.00pm.

Harrogate (9:00 am – 5:20 pm)

From Newton Aycliffe we drive straight to Harrogate, the coach will drop you off at St Mary’s Walk, which is a short walk from all the amenities this magnificent Spa Town has to offer.

You could pay a visit to the Royal Pump Room Museum, entry is £3.50, or why not enjoy a stroll through the Valley Gardens, it includes beautiful historic buildings, such as the Sun Pavilion and colonnades, which sit along side a wide variety of shrub, flower and herbaceous beds. You could take in one of the local coffee shops and watch the world go by.

You will enjoy a two-course lunch at The Crown Hotel at 12 noon and afterwards have a couple of hours to explore the many independent shops Harrogate has to offer. If shopping’s not your thing you could visit the Mercer Art Gallery (free entry), housed in the Promenade Rooms, you will find a wide range of exhibitions, including paintings, photography, sculpture and crafts.

The coach departs at 4.00pm from St Mary’s Walk.

Beamish (9:15 am to 4:20 pm)

After leaving Newton Aycliffe we arrive at Beamish, this world famous open air museum tells the story of life in North East England during the 1820s, 1900s, 1940s and 1950s.

The latest exhibition depicts life in a North East town in the 1950s, which includes Welfare Hall which is situated next to Coronation Park, in the terrace street you can pay a visit to John’s Café, Elizabeth’s Hairdresser’s, Middleton’s Fish and Chips and No.2 Front Street, which is the home of celebrated North East artist Norman Cornish who lived in Spennymoor.

Lunch will be served at 12 noon in the 1900’s Tea Rooms, afterwards you will have plenty of time to explore more of this fascinating museum, either on foot or take a tram ride. Go back in time to the Pit Village, discover what it was like to live in a tight knit community at the turn of the century, visit the Colliery where men and boys faced dark, wet and often cramped working conditions.

The coach departs at 3:30pm from the main coach park.