Historic Homes of Yorkshire for Christmas

Make your own way to the four-star Parsonage Hotel & Spa in Yorkshire, where you will meet our Tour Manager. Before arrival at the Hotel, why not head into the city of York, for the final day of the St Nicholas Fair, held here each year.  Make sure to check in between 14.30 and 16.00 to enjoy a Cream Tea on arrival.

Enjoy a relaxing evening with dinner and a drink served in the hotel’s restaurant.

After a leisurely breakfast, we head to Harewood House.  Harewood is one of England’s Treasure houses, and is the family seat of the Lascelles family, built in the 18th century for Edwin Lascelles. In the 20th Century the house was lived in by Princess Mary the only daughter of George V, after she married Henry Lascelles in 1922.  Harewood estate occupies a beautiful rural setting, with 100 acres of gardens, including the Lakeside Bird Gardens. At Harewood this Festive season, visitors will experience ‘Upon A Christmas Wish’ created by Lord Whitney. You will be immersed into the Christmas story, through the beautifully decorated rooms. After exploring the delightfully adorned house, we head to the Billiard Room, for our Festive Afternoon Tea; wherever possible using produce from the Harewood house walled Garden and surrounding Harewood Estate - a delight for the taste buds. Afterwards, why not take a stroll around the beautiful grounds to finish of our enjoyable Christmas Eve visit.  Relax back at the hotel with some Mulled wine and mince pies, as we listen to Christmas Carols performed by a local village singing group.  Dinner is served in the hotel restaurant this evening. 

After a leisurely breakfast at the Hotel, we head to Castle Howard. Set in the heart of the Howardian Hills it is one of Britain's finest historic homes. Bought to life by Charles Howard the 3rd Earl of Carlisle, the building has been the home to eight generations of the Howard family over the last 300 years. There are over 1,000 acres of parkland, lakes and waterways to explore. Each year Castle Howard is transformed for the festive season, with magnificent and beautiful decorations, making for a truly magical experience. We include a light lunch here, leaving plenty of time to explore Castle Howard and the beautiful grounds at leisure, before we return to the Hotel.  This evening we enjoy an included arrival drink as we make our way to the restaurant for our final evening meal.