Spring time in the Lakes & Dales (Morecambe)
Monday 3rd April - Friday 7th April
£399.50
Single Supp Nil 5 days
Summary
Morecambe is a small seaside town that appeals to all ages. There is a lovely refurbished promenade to stroll along admiring the wonderful views of the Lakeland hills across Morecambe Bay and not forgetting the statue of Eric Morecambe! The town has shops, cafes and
restaurants. It is also an ideal base for trips to the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales which we include in our excursions - two of the UK’s most popular national parks.
Isle of Man
Friday 14th April - Tuesday 18th April
£549.50
Single Supp £60.00 5 days
Summary
Just 33 miles long and 12 miles wide, this island is magnificent for so many unique reasons - steeped in myths and legends and packed with stunning coastal, mountain and countryside scenery. During your stay our excursions will show you as much of the island as possible including its major heritage attractions that make its history and culture so unique. • TT Course • Laxey Wheel • Manx Railways
Eastbourne “Magnificent Motors” & Bluebell Railway Steam Railway
Friday 28th April - Monday 1st May
£349.50
Single Supp Nil 4 days
Summary
Thanks to its sheltered position and its claim of “most hours of sunshine” in the UK, Eastbourne has an enviable reputation on the south coast. Its sea-front promenade stretches over three miles. During the bank holiday weekend, the sea-front is taken over by a fabulous continental market and “Magnificent Motors” of the past. We also include a steam-train journey on the Bluebell Railway.
Sidmouth & Devon Delights
Wednesday 7th June - Sunday 11th June
£549.50
Single Supp Nil 5 days
Summary
John Betjeman was one of the many famous people
who, over the years, implied that Sidmouth is the
loveliest seaside resort in England. Indeed, Sidmouth
has always been an extremely chic, elegant and
genteel place and is not conformist to the modern day
“glitzy party” image which other seaside resorts have.
It is situated at the centre of the world heritage Jurassic
Coast in Devon and was developed for the richest of
Victorian aristocracy.
Yorkshire Rail & Sail (New for 2023)
Monday 12th June - Friday 16th June
£499.50
Single Supp £80.00 6 days
Summary
Mon – Travel to Yorkshire with a stop in Holmfirth where 'Last of the Summer Wine' was set.
Tue – Journey to Embsay to enjoy a return steam train journey to Bolton Abbey. Rejoin the coach for the short trip to the charming market town of Skipton with time to wander around the lovely cobbled streets and shop before taking a relaxing canal trip with hilarious cruise
commentary from Dave Spikey.
Wed – Travel to the splendid city of York and enjoy the history and culture of this walled riverside city. Visit the magnificent National Railway Museum for an interesting and informative end to the day.
Thu – A full day guided excursion through the Yorkshire Dales National Park, to the pleasant market town of Appleby. Board the famous Settle to Carlisle Railway for the journey south to Settle for more wonderful dales scenery. Rejoin the coach and return to the hotel.
Fri – Homeward journey.
Delights in The Garden of England (Kent) (New for 2023)
Sunday 29th May - Saturday 4th June
£699.50
Single Supp £100.00 5 days
Summary
Mon – we head south and visit Chartwell Manor & Gardens – Winston Churchill’s much-loved home.
Tue - Full day in Canterbury, famed for its Cathedral and medieval streets. We also include an entertaining and informative “punt” boat trip on the River Stour that flows through the heart of this historic city.
Wed – we join the Romney / Hythe & Dymchurch steam railway to Dungeness - home to the world’s smallest passenger railway as well as the largest shingle beach in Europe, a haven for wildlife, an RSPB nature
reserve and over 600 species of plants. Later,we continue to Sissinghurst Castle Garden – for many, the finest country garden around.
Thu – we stay in Dover today and visit its most prominent landmark – Dover Castle. With historic highlights such as the secret wartime tunnels, medieval interiors and facts behind the Romans and the Cold War, it is a great place to explore and find out more of Dover’s
heritage.
Fri – we leave for home via a visit to Leeds Castle – often referred to as “the loveliest castle in the world”
Isle of Wight “The Diamond Isle” (New for 2023)
Saturday 1st July - Saturday 8th July
£799.50
Single Supp Nill 8 days
Summary
Come to the Isle of Wight - the ideal location for relaxation and enjoyment. Only a short ferry trip across the Solent to enjoy the sandy beaches, stunning coastline and rolling countryside - something for
everyone. Our stay will include live entertainment each evening.
Northumbrian Delights inc Alnwick Castle & Garden
(New for 2023)
Sunday 9h July- Thursday 13th July
£499.50
Single Supp £80.00 5 days
Summary
Sun – outbound journey via a visit to the beautiful cathedral city of Durham.
Mon – Full day at Beamish - a world famous, awardwinning open air museum, telling the story of life in North East England during the 1820s, 1900s, 1940s and 1950s.
Tue – Hexham (mkt day) & a scenic forest drive through the Kielder Forest to Kielder Water – England's largest forest and largest man-made lake in northern-Europe.
Wed – Alnwick Castle & Gardens. The “Windsor of the North”, Alnwick Castle is the second largest inhabited castle in the country and is home to the Duke of Northumberland’s family. Featured in film and television
productions such as the magnificent Brancaster Castle in Downton Abbey and as Hogwarts School ofWitchcraft and Wizardry in the Harry Potter films. The magnificent award-winning gardens are home to the
world’s largest Tai Haku Cherry Orchard, a Grand Cascade comprising 120 water jets and the worlds largest Treehouse Restaurant.
Thu – we return home via a ride on the South Tynedale Steam Railway to Alston.
Scenic Rails of Mid Wales (New for 2023)
Sunday 16th July- Thursday 20th July
£599.50
Single Supp Nil 5 days
Summary
Just look at what we are including below on this amazing holiday.
Mid Wales is bordered by the two stunning national parks of the Brecon Beacons and Snowdonia and is home to rich, green landscapes, the unspoilt Ceredigion coastline, the stunning Cambrian mountains and glorious castles, gardens and railways – discover just some of them from our base at the fantastic Metropole Hotel.
Royal Sandringham Flower Show & “Thursford in Summer” (New for 2023)
Monday 24th July- Friday 28th July
£549.50
Single Supp £80.00 5 days
Summary
Sandringham House and church provide a magnificent backdrop for the Flower Show - an annual one-day event displaying the country's finest horticulture and packed with fun-filled events throughout the day.
Thursford has one of the world's largest, privately owned collection of steam engines. Chance to also listen to the famous Wurlitzer, played by Robert Wolfe.
Northern Ireland Delights & Antrim Coast
Sunday 30th July - Saturday 5th August
£799.50
Single Supp £150.00 7 days
Summary
Our very popular tour of Northern Ireland (is always a sellout) includes an overnight stay at Dumfries before sailing to Belfast. Taking in the County Antrim coast, sights include Giants Causeway, Titanic Exhibition in Belfast, Strangford Loch, Mount Stewart House, Downpatrick via Portaferry and the Ulster Transport Museum.
Eastbourne & Sussex Delights (News for 2023)
Wednesday 9th August - Monday 14th August
£499.50
Single Supp Nill 6 days
Summary
Wed – outbound journey
Thu – We travel east along the coast to historic Rye – time here for its open-air weekly market. Historically known for once being a naval base, a fishing port and an agricultural centre. Lovely shops, art galleries and
restaurants now line the town’s ancient streets. Later, we continue to Carr Taylor Vineyard for a “tour & tasting”.
Fri – Arundel Castle & Garden.Going back to 1067, learn from the castle guides about the finely preserved interior with its fascinating furniture, tapestries and rare collection of paintings by renowned artists including Van Dyck, Gainsborough and Canaletto. Stroll through the tranquil
grounds where you will discover inspiring gardens.
Sat – Eastbourne at leisure. Five miles of glorious seafront, a beautiful pier, Europe’s busiest bandstand, a lovely harbour, great shopping, a “summer seaside show” at the theatre – there is so much to enjoy!
Sun – Eastbourne at leisure – market day.
Mon – Homeward bound,we visit Leonardslee Lakes & Gardens. Famous for its Rock Garden, Doll’s House Museum, a rare colony of wallabies and England’s first Pinotage vineyard – so much to see and do!
Edinburgh Tattoo The Falkirk Wheel & The Kelpies
Thursday 24th August - Sunday 27th August
£449.50
Single Supp £75.00 4 days
Summary
High above the skyline of Edinburgh’s capital on the floodlit Castle esplanade, The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo is a stunning international spectacle of music, ceremony, entertainment and theatre - attracting over 250,000 people each year - for many returning visitors, it
is “The Greatest Show on Earth”. This year, the theme is "stories" headed by the RAF.
Constable Country & Suffolk Explorer
Monday 28th August - Friday 1st September
£549.50
Single Supp £80.00 5 days
Summary
We visit the area made famous by the 18th-century paintings of John Constable, England’s foremost landscape artist of the time. See Flatford Mill,Willy Lott's House, the site of The Hay Wain painting, and visit the Village of Dedham,where Constable used to go to school. Including
a visit to Britain’s first city, Colchester - this is a brilliant tour filled with beautiful historic scenery, art and culture.
Historic Lincolnshire (New for 2023)
Monday 4th September - Friday 8th September
£499.50
Single Supp £80.00 5 days
Summary
Mon – Belton House – used in the 1995 film “Pride & Prejudice”. A beautiful country house surrounded by formal gardens.
Tue – A scenic drive to the county of Rutland for a visit to Barnsdale Gardens - created by TV gardener Geoff Hamilton for the BBC’s 'Gardeners' World'. Later, we cruise on Rutland Water reservoir and view Rutland’s most famous landmark, Normanton Church.
Wed – a guided visit to the International Bomber Command Centre. The exhibition tells the stories of those who served, supported and suffered during the bombing campaigns of World War II. See the Walls of Names, Ribbon of Remembrance and Spire Memorial, the UK’s tallest war memorial. The afternoon will be spent in the historic city of Lincoln.
Thu – We visit the magnificent, palatial Burghley House. Explore the Elizabethan ancestral home of William Cecil with its dramatic state rooms surrounded by a splendid Capability Brown parkland design. The
afternoon is spent in Stamford with its old world charm and prosperity.
Fri – Homebound via Melton Mowbray.
Ayrshire Coastal Delights & Dumfries House
Sunday 10th September - Saturday 16th September
£699.50
Single Supp £100.00 7 days with full day in Isle of Arran
Summary
We stay at a fabulous hotel and operate an excursion programme which has “wowed” Bensons’ customers for the past 10 years. In 2023 we are including a visit to Culzean Castle which is perched magnificently on top
of the Ayrshire coastline, as well as a guided visit to Dumfries House – a beautiful Palladian property famed for its magnificent Chippendale collection, saved for the nation by HRH Prince Charles. Based in Troon - a peaceful, seaside resort on the north Ayrshire coast which boasts stunning views of the islands of Ailsa Craig and Arran, across its beautiful
sandy beach. The town is home to 7 world-class golf courses, Ayrshire’s fish market, some charming independent shops and some great ice-cream parlours!
Autumn Splendours of the Lake District (New for 2023)
Monday 16th October - Friday 20th October
£489.50
Single Supp £64.00 5 days
Summary
In the autumn, the Lake District becomes ablaze with colour,with bright reds, oranges and yellows taking over from the greens of summer - making it one of the most spectacular times to visit. Just look at the amazing excursions – a lake cruise, a scenic steam-railway, a visit to a fabulous castle and garden and an unforgettable road trip over the famous Kirkstone Pass. Staying at a beautiful hotel with wonderful hospitality. This holiday will take a lot to beat!
Tenby Swansea & the Mumbles (New for 2023)
Monday 23rd October - Friday 27th October
£429.00
Single Supp Nill 5 days
Summary
Tenby is a charming walled town with plenty of independent shops, cafes and pubs. The town remains one of the most popular summer holiday destinations. There are beautiful sandy beaches and a charming
harbour from where you can take a boat trip to the peaceful haven of Caldey Island.
Fireworks in Devon Sidmouth & Ottery St Mary
(New for 2023)
Thursday 2nd November - Thursday 22nd November
£449.00
Single Supp Nill 5 days
Summary
The main highlight of this tour is when we enjoy a spectacular Bonfire Night in Ottery St Mary with its worldfamous “Tar barrel Event” taking place through its medieval streets – a unique spectacle steeped in tradition since the 17th century.
