Great British Heritage
Pre-Raphaelites in the North
Enter a world where art and architecture meet.
From intricately carved chapels and beautifully painted artworks to stained-glass windows gleaming with Pre-Raphaelite colour, this journey reveals the quiet beauty of northern churches, ruins, and castle interiors.
From Arthurian reliefs to hand-painted mausoleums, each artistic touch is an echo of the movement’s visual poetry.
what’s included
At A Glance
Meet Your Expert Guide
Professor Anne Anderson
Anne is an author, broadcaster and Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries, with a first degree in archaeology and a PhD in English. She was a senior lecturer in Art and Design History for fourteen years, specialising in the Aesthetic Movement, Arts and Crafts, Art Nouveau and Modernism.
An experienced international speaker and published author, Anne has inspired Travel Editions travellers for more than fifteen years with her wit, wisdom and enthusiasm. Her tours reveal the connections between architecture, interiors and design, bringing the artistic revolutions of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries vividly to life.
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.
Day 1: Arrival
Arrive independently from 15:00. Evening welcome reception, dinner and a talk from Professor Anne Anderson.
Day 2: Naworth Castle, St Martin’s Brampton & Lanercost Priory
First of all is a very special visit to privately-owned 15th-century, Naworth Castle, for a tour with the owner. The interiors were restored after a fire in 1844, by the 9th Earl of Carlisle, who counted many of the leading Pre-Raphaelites among his friends, including Edward Burne-Jones and William Morris, who stayed at the castle in 1874.
Next to St Martin’s Church in Brampton, famous as the only church designed by the Pre-Raphaelite architect Philip Webb, which contains one of the most exquisite sets of stained glass windows designed by Sir Edward Burne-Jones, and executed in the William Morris studio. Sir Nikolaus Pevsner described it as a ‘remarkable building, the windows glowing with gem-stone colours’. Finally the 12th-century Lanercost Priory which houses a rare “dossal” embroidery by William Morris, made in 1885.
Day 3: Hutton-in-the-Forest, St Mary’s at Wreay, & Warwick Bridge
Begin at Hutton-in-the-Forest, a historic house with strong Arts & Crafts connections and Morris-inspired interiors.
We will enjoy an included light lunch before continuing onto St Mary’s at Wreay, a visionary church designed by Sarah Losh, blending symbolism and craftsmanship. End at Our Lady and St Wilfrid, Warwick Bridge, an early Pugin masterpiece of Gothic Revival design. Return to the hotel by 17:00.
Availability
Choose Your Departure
HOTELS
Tour Accommodation
Crown Hotel, Wetheral
Crown Hotel, Wetheral offers refined country hospitality, nestled beside the River Eden in charming Cumbria. Guests enjoy an inviting leisure club with a heated indoor pool, sauna, steam room, Jacuzzi, and well-equipped gym. Elegant rooms provide comfort, while the AA Rosette-rated Conservatory Restaurant and traditional Walton’s Bar serve delightful dining overlooking landscaped gardens. Stroll riverside paths to historic Wetheral Abbey ruins and the 19th-century viaduct, or explore Hadrian’s Wall and the Northern Lake District nearby. With EV charging and parking, it’s an excellent base for peaceful exploration in one of England’s most scenic and historic regions.
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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