We begin the 'Edge of Empire' tour in York, one of England's oldest established cities with two days visiting major historical sites. We also take a fascinating hike through Studley Royal Deer Park and Gardens and the World Heritage site of Fountains Abbey with a Historian guide. We then cross the North Yorkshire moors by steam train to Whitby and walk the most spectacular section of the Cleveland Way National Trail along the coast to beautiful Robin Hoods Bay. Then heading north in the footsteps of the IX Legion, we come to the most significant Roman relic in Britain, Hadrian's Wall. We spend three days walking the best preserved central section of Hadrian's Wall to reach Carlisle, another far-flung city of ancient Rome. Beyond Carlisle we enter the most sublime corner of all England, driving across the rugged hills of the Lake District to reach the charmingly picturesque town of Ambleside at its heart. From our hotel base in Ambleside we have three days of hiking in this most most picturesue corner of England during which we will visit the remote Hardknott Fort, the Roman Baths of Ravenglass, medeival Muncaster Castle and ride on L'al Ratty the minature scale steam train which connects the Eskdale Valley with the West coast. We complete our historical odyssey in the well-preserved walled city of Chester. You simply will not find a better walking tour in England!.

Brief Itinerary

Included Meals: B = Breakfast, L = Packed lunch, D = Evening meal

Day 1. Meet in York at the group hotel at mid-day. A single timed transfer (1½ hours) is available from Manchester Airport in the morning. In the afternoon we take a walking tour of York city including all major sights.(D)

Day 2. Drive (40 minutes) through Ripon to Fountains Abbey World Heritage site. Visit the abbey and walk through Studley Royal Gardens. Approximately 3 miles. Return to York and take a guided tour of York Minster. (B)

Day 3. Drive to Pickering (45 minutes) and take a steam train across the Yorkshire Moors to Whitby on the East Coast . After looking around this old whaling town we walk for 6 miles along the coast to Robin Hoods Bay. We transfer (2 hours) to medeival Corbridge close to Hadrian's Wall. (B,L,D)

Day 4. Visit to Chesters Roman cavalry fort. Todays walk follows the Wall from Brocolitia to Steel Rigg. 7 miles. Return to hotel in Corbridge. (B,L,D)

Day 5. Visit to Vindolanda Roman fort and museum. Follow the Wall from Steel Rigg to Carvoran. 6 miles. Return to Corbridge. (B,L,D)

Day 6. Walking the Wall from Carvoran to Birdoswald Roman fort. 4 miles. Drive (30 minutes) to carlisle. Visit Carlisle Castle. Transfer (1 hour) to Ambleside in the Lake District. (B,L,D)

Day 7. Traverse the summits of Loughrig above Ambleside. 7 miles. (B,L,D)

Day 8. Drive across Wrynose and Hardknott passes to Hardknott Roman fort. (30 minutes). We have a short transfer from here to Eskdale to start of walk across Muncaster Fell and via Muncaster Castle to Ravenglass fishing village on the West Coast. Return to Eskdale aboard a steam hauled train on the narrow gauge railway. Final evening in Ambleside. (B,L,D)

Day 9. Drive (20 minutes) to Tarn Hows and walk for 5 miles via Colwith Falls, Skelwith Bridge and Elterwater to the Britannia Inn. Transfer (1½ hors) to Chester City. (B,L)

Day 10. Walking tour of city and walls and visit to Roman Amphitheatre. Afternoon free. (B)

Day 11. Services end after breakfast. A morning transfer to Manchester Airport is available.(B)