Great British Heritage
Land of The Prince Bishops
During the Saxon, Norman and Medieval periods, the Prince Bishops of Durham had ecclesiastical and political sovereignty over County Durham.
Their influence touched all aspects of the county’s life and left a fascinating legacy, which can still be traced today. During its greatest period in the 7th and 8th centuries, Northumbria was a great centre for arts, learning and early Christianity and was especially noted for the great saints it produced, like Cuthbert, Wilfrid and the Venerable Bede.
Your guide for this fascinating tour is Julian Humphrys, whose passion for early and medieval history has no bounds and he will entertain you with his knowledge and skill as your host and guide.
what’s included
At A Glance
MEET YOUR EXPERT GUIDE
Julian Humphrys
Julian read history at Emmanuel College, Cambridge, and has worked at historic sites in Britain and abroad. A trustee of the Battlefields Trust and Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, he has written widely on castles, battles and military history.
With infectious enthusiasm, wit and panache, Julian leads more than a dozen Travel Editions tours across the UK and Europe. His extraordinary historical insight brings fortresses, battlefields and medieval landscapes to life, creating tours that are educational, entertaining and consistently popular with travellers.
itinerary & excursions
Your Itinerary
Explore this incredible tour in detail and discover what makes each day so special. Below, you’ll find a full day-by-day breakdown of your journey, from the moment you arrive to your final farewell. Learn more about the highlights you’ll experience, the unforgettable places you’ll visit, and the unique moments that bring each destination to life. Whether you’re drawn by rich history, stunning landscapes or unforgettable cultural encounters, this itinerary gives you everything you need to picture your adventure and look forward to every step of the way.
Exact order of itinerary may vary depending on local conditions and tour manager’s discretion.
Day 1: Arrive independently at the Hotel Indigo Durham
Arrive from 15.00. This evening there will be a welcome reception followed by dinner and talk by Julian Humphrys: ‘An Introduction to the Land of the Prince Bishops’.
Day 2: Durham & Bishop Auckland
First visit of a packed day is a guided tour of Durham Cathedral, one of Europe’s greatest buildings, set grandly on a rocky promontory next to the Castle with the medieval city huddled below. Begun in 1093 to house the shrine of St. Cuthbert, the castle and cathedral have dominated the Durham skyline for over 900 years and it is a World Heritage Site. A walking tour with Julian will show you more of this beautiful city on the River Wear, including its Castle, (now a student residence).
After lunch, (not included) we will head to Bishop Auckland where we will visit Auckland Castle, which has a thousand years of historic connection with England’s only Prince Bishop. Granted exceptional powers by the Norman kings, the Bishop of Durham remained the virtual monarch in his diocese right up to the 19th century. We will also visit the new Faith Museum at the castle which opened in late 2023.
Day 3: Richmond Castle, Bowes Museum & Barnard Castle
Firstly to magnificent, Norman Richmond Castle, begun in 1071 and which still dominates the market town to this day. The best preserved part of the castle is the 12th century Keep, which towers over 100 feet above the town; the walls are actually eleven feet thick.
This afternoon a guided tour and lunch is included at the Bowes Museum, housed in a magnificent French-style chateau, purpose built in the 19th century, which has diverse collections of paintings and wonderful ceramics, furniture and a solid silver swan automaton which moves to music and appears to catch a fish.
The last visit of the tour is to Barnard Castle, founded by the Normans shortly after the conquest. It enjoyed its heyday under Barnard Bailleul in the latter half of the 12th century and later passed into the hands of King Richard III who inherited it through his wife, Anne Neville. Return to the hotel for approximately 17.00.
Day 4: Raby Castle & Esombe Saxon Church
We start today with a visit to Raby Castle, a magnificent medieval fortress built by the powerful Neville family in the 14th century. We enjoy a ‘behind the scenes’ tour to some hidden parts of the castle to reveal rooms, stories and treasures not usually seen by the public. We also have time to explore the beautiful 18th century walled garden which includes yew hedges and the iconic Raby fig, and surrounding deer park.
After time for lunch in the cafe (own expense) we drive to Escombe Saxon Church, one of the oldest and most complete Anglo-Saxon churches in England. Dating from around 675 AD, the church was built with stones from the nearby Roman fort at Binchester. Return to the hotel for approximately 16.00.
Post-tour nights at the hotel are available at a supplement.
our guests say
Recent reviews
“Julian Humphrys was as entertaining and informative as ever, bringing the fascinating history of the Land of the Prince Bishops to life. The historic hotel was a real highlight, with friendly staff and excellent attention to dietary needs.”
Mr C, June 2025
“The behind-the-scenes guided tour of Raby Castle was an unexpected delight and added real depth to the trip. While the hotel room lighting could have been improved, the overall experience was excellent.”
Lisa Rhys-Davies, June 2025
“On my second tour with Julian, he proved once again to be a knowledgeable and engaging guide. His enthusiasm made the history truly come alive.”
Peter Anderton, June 2025
“The exclusive behind-the-scenes experience at Raby Castle felt like a rare privilege. I was especially grateful to be able to bring along my assistance dog, Hector, and enjoy such a welcoming trip.”
Ms Wilkinson, June 2025
“An excellent choice of hotel paired with perfectly curated visits to historically significant sites. We’re happily catching up on our history knowledge thanks to Julian Humphrys’ insightful guiding.”
Mrs G, June 2025
“The behind-the-scenes tour of Raby Castle was a standout highlight of an already fascinating itinerary. The trip combined comfort, history, and great company.”
Ms Gosling, June 2025
Availability
Choose Your Departure
HOTELS
Tour Accommodation
Hotel Indigo, Durham
Moments from the historic city centre, Hotel Indigo Durham is located in the former Old Shire Hall building, a short walk to experience all that this charming city has to offer. The hotel has a bar, restaurant, and fitness centre. Rooms are modern and all have Wi-Fi, TV, individual climate control, tea and coffee-making facilities, and safe.
Car parking is available at the rear of the hotel costing £20 per 24 hours, payable directly to the hotel. There are 33 parking spaces, available on first come, first served basis. There is also on-street pay and display parking available directly outside the hotel.
Hotel Website
our regular tours
Mobility Information
This tour has a moderate fitness rating, reflecting a fuller itinerary with a good balance of visits, walking and time spent exploring on foot.
Some visits may involve cobbled streets, uneven paving, slopes, steps, stairs, limited seating, or walking from the coach drop-off point to the entrance of a site or attraction. The exact demands will vary from day to day, and we highlight specific practical details within the itinerary wherever possible.
You should feel comfortable walking at a steady group pace, standing during visits and enjoying a full day of sightseeing. If you are unsure whether this tour is right for you, please contact us before booking.
Your questions answered
Tour FAQ
If you have a question, we are more than happy to answer it via email or phone, but you may find your answer below more quickly.
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