Reports
Spring Break to Harrogate 2024.
Leaving Sandy on time, at 9am, a party of 48 set off for the Probus 5 day break to Harrogate. Travelling northwards on the A1 we had a midway break at Tickhill Nursery, where we stopped for a quick look round the Nursery and lunch in the restaurant. Leaving there we continued our journey to Harrogate arriving at our hotel “The Old Swan” at about 2.15pm. leaving plenty of time to unpack and have a quick look round our immediate surroundings before our evening meal.
Tuesday morning after breakfast we headed out from the hotel at 9.30am. for our trip to York. First on the agenda for the day was a trip on a City River Cruise for an hour where we could view some of the many interesting areas of York, which are only visible from the river itself. This was followed by free time in York to visit many of its historical landmarks, such as the Minster or The Shambles, for those with shopping on their mind, or a visit to the National Railway Museum and other attractions. After a busy day we departed York around 3.30pm arriving back at the Hotel by 4.15pm.
Wednesday was a free day in Harrogate for everybody to do as they pleased. Some went out to other local towns whilst others remained local to visit Harrogate itself. After dinner the evening was rounded off with a quiz organised and set by our president, Derrick.
On Thursday, after a leisurely breakfast, we left the Hotel at 10am for a short journey to visit Newby Hall and Gardens near Ripon. There we had a pre -booked tour of the house, which has long history and design features by Robert Adam. The house contains many antiquities collected by previous owners of the house from their Grand Tours of Europe etc. and some fine examples of Chippendale furniture. Those brave enough took advantage of the miniature train ride (not built for comfort for those of us with inflexible bodies) around the gardens. On leaving Newby Hall we took another short trip into Ripon for about an hour before returning to the Hotel at about 5pm.
All too soon it was Friday and time to return home after a very enjoyable five day break. After stopping for lunch at Downtown Grantham, we arrived safely back in Sandy about 2.45pm. The accommodation and food at ‘The Old Swan’ hotel was of a very good standard and all of the journeys were made in a comfortable coach and excellent driver provided by Cozys Coaches of Sandy. As usual, the whole five day break was very well organised by our Social Organising Duo Derek and Judy.
