UK & IRELAND HOLIDAYS
Discover the archaeological treasures on our doorstep
7 BRAND NEW TOURS!
Explore Northern Ireland · Britannia Prima Falco’s Britannia · The Archaeology of London Archaeology & Ghosts in East Anglia The Golden Age of Northumbria · Discover the Picts Prices from £1,065 per person
THE WORLD’S BEST ARCHAEOLOGY ON YOUR DOORSTEP When an archaeological or historical site is within easy reach, it’s easy to overlook it and think, “I’ll get around to visiting eventually”. With our wider collection of UK tours, we are shining a spotlight on these historic locations because there is no time like the present to explore the ancient world around you. So, whether you’ve always wanted to walk the mighty Hadrian’s Wall, discover the vast Roman influence on the glorious West Country or come face-to-face with Scotland’s evocative standing stones, we have a ‘holiday at home’ for you.
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Each of these tours will be led by a renowned expert in archaeology, meaning that you tick off these sites in style – enjoying personal insights and getting insider knowledge from those who know these locations best. Stand before Stonehenge, go underground for a tour of the UK’s largest preserved tin mine in Cornwall or gain insight into the folklore of East Anglia as presented in the fictional works of M. R. James. See the place you call home in a new light next year.
Contents Delve into the stories, myths and legends to be found among the UK’s magnificent landscapes. Join us in a familiar destination to experience something new in 2020. NEW Explore Northern Ireland.............................................page 6 Prehistoric Ireland.................................................................. page 7 Archaeology of Wales.............................................................page 8 Cornwall | Ancient Kernow...................................................page 10 Journey through Wessex...................................................... page 11 NEW Britannia Prima............................................................ page 12 NEW Falco’s Britannia.......................................................... page 13 NEW The Archaeology of London........................................page 14 NEW Archaeology & Ghosts in East Anglia........................ page 15 The Archaeology of the Isle of Man....................................page 16 Highlights of Hadrian’s Wall................................................ page 17 Walking Hadrian’s Wall.........................................................page 18 NEW The Golden Age of Northumbria................................page 19 The Romans in the North.....................................................page 20 NEW Discover the Picts........................................................ page 21 Orkney & Shetland................................................................page 22
For more information or to book a tour visit: andantetravels.com or call 01722 395442
Hadrian’s wall
01722 395442 | 3
Douglas Lighthouse, Isle of Man
Why choose the UK for your next archaeological adventure? One of the world’s richest archaeological destinations With Stonehenge at one end of the country and magnificently carved Pictish stones at the other – and a whole host of incredible sites both in between and to the sides – the UK is home to an array of captivating archaeology. Years of history among varied and often surprising landscapes give birth to intriguing stories of the past, some of which are supported by fact and others presented as folklore, but all are well worth exploring.
There is never too much travelling involved If you’re not a fan of early airport arrivals, transfers and waiting around, a holiday at home is ideal. Travelling within the United Kingdom is never going to take huge chunks of time away from your touring experience, with flights from Southampton right up to Glasgow taking just 90 minutes, or thereabouts. Our public transport systems are efficient and can be cost effective if booked in advance, and a UK-based break means that you’re never too far from your destination – or from home.
Discover awe-inspiring ancient remains at every turn Even if you’ve lived in the UK all your life, chances are that you haven’t yet explored everything on offer here. Yes, our country may be fairly small, but that doesn’t mean it’s lacking in things to see and do! With history dating to myriad periods and archaeological sites that range from chambered tombs and mysterious monoliths, to ancient fortifications and even amphitheatres, there is often something magnificent just around the corner.
Standing Stones of Stenness, Orkney 4 | andantetravels.com
City Hall, Belfast
Amazing landscapes that never fail to enchant From the heather-soaked highlands to Cornwall’s quaint fishing villages and charming harbours, the UK is home to landscapes that never fail to impress.
Value for money with local currency Forget the hassle of changing money – a holiday in the UK means using your everyday currency, with no volatile exchange rates meaning that you’re left feeling a little short-changed!
A deeper understanding Taking a holiday means understanding the culture, cuisine and history of a destination in order to gain a better understanding of it. Enjoying a break in the country you call home means that you have already experienced these aspects of it, but you can now grasp the opportunity to see it in a whole new light through visits to sites that you might not otherwise visit. Doing this in the company of experts offers the chance to really get to know the history and heritage of someplace familiar, but in a way that you wouldn’t have on your own.
Embrace nostalgia and a sense of pride Many of us will be able to remember a time when we enjoyed family holidays not too far from home, so a UK break is likely to inspire a warming dose of nostalgia. What’s more, a week discovering the archaeological delights of your country is bound to make you feel a sense of pride at living here.
“A wonderful, mind-expanding view of a place I’ve always wanted to see.”
King’s College, Cambridge
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W NE R FO 20 20 Giant’s Causeway, Northern Ireland
EXPLORE NORTHERN IRELAND
An insight into the country’s archaeology and history 6 Days
From £2,095pp
10th - 15th August 2020
Activity Level
Northern Ireland is an area of rich and diverse ancient and historical interest. From great prehistoric sites shrouded in mystery to amazing rugged landscapes, this small corner of the world has a lot to offer. From enigmatic megalithic archaeology to medieval castles – and the region’s troubled modern history, we will sample the wonders of Northern Ireland’s varied past. With Belfast as our hub, this tour will allow us to experience the warm welcome of the city’s culture. Tour Highlights • Walk along the Peace Wall in Belfast to view its Murals • Visit Titanic Belfast and hear about the story of this iconic liner • Get insights into Ireland’s past from early prehistory up until the modern day
Giant’s Causeway
• Explore Navan Fort - ancient seat of kings – and its reconstructed Iron Age dwelling
Day One | Belfast We fly from London to Belfast and check into our hotel. In the early afternoon, we meet for an orientation walk around the city. Before dinner, there will be an introductory lecture. Day Two | Titanic Belfast This morning we will visit the Ulster Museum, which features significant archaeological finds from Northern Ireland. A walk along the Peace Wall and Murals brings us back into modern history. In the afternoon we spend time at Titanic Belfast, exploring the history of this tragically famous ship. Our last visit of the day will be to the National Museum of the Royal Navy. Day Three | Downpatrick Today we journey to Downpatrick, stopping at the impressive Neolithic Legananny Dolmen and Ballynoe Stone circle en route. Upon our arrival, we visit Down Cathedral to view the magnificent stained glass windows and St. Patrick’s grave just outside. Next, we visit the 18th century mansion Castle Ward, the setting of Winterfell in HBO’s ‘Game of Thrones’. 6 | andantetravels.com
Navan Fort
Day Four | Navan Fort We begin with a tour at the Giant’s Ring, a Neolithic henge monument situated on the outskirts of Belfast. On to Armagh to visit Navan Fort, a large hilltop enclosure assumed to represent an ancient ceremonial site. We continue with a visit to St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Armagh and the Beaghmore Stone Circles, a complex of early Bronze Age megaliths. Day Five | Giant’s Causeway Today we journey north. Situated dramatically on the edge of an outcrop on the craggy Antrim coast, we visit the ruins of Dunluce Castle, seat of the McDonnell Clan. A short drive brings us to probably the most famous geological feature of Northern Ireland, the Giant’s Causeway. Before we make our way back to Belfast, we pay a delicious and warming visit to Bushmills Distillery. Day Six | Belfast Before we travel home, we visit St. George’s Market, one of Belfast’s oldest attractions. Built between 1890 and 1896, it is now one of the best markets in the UK and Ireland.
Belfast Downpatrick
Guided by Jeremy Bennett A British archaeologist, Jeremy is currently studying for his PhD, for which he is examining Maltese agricultural terraces at Cambridge.
Dates & prices per person Date
Twin/Dbl Share
SS
10th - 15th Aug
£2,095
£325
Price Includes • • • • • • •
Expert Guide Lecturer & Tour Manager Return flights from London & all local transport Accommodation in Belfast 5 breakfasts, 4 lunches & 5 dinners Water with all meals, tea or coffee with dinner Entries to all sites & museums All taxes & gratuities
Full tour details of this tour visit andantetravels.com/nir
Polnabrone Dolmen, Burren
PREHISTORIC IRELAND
See the iconic Megalithic sites of Newgrange & Knowth 8 Days
From £2,445pp
Departing June - August 2020
Activity Level
Experience the fascinating prehistory of Ireland. The monumental passage tomb of Newgrange is but one of the highlights on this tour that takes in Dublin, the Boyne Valley, Carrowmore, mystical Galway, and the island of Inis Mor. Famous for its Celtic remains, Ireland has so much to offer archaeological enthusiasts. Join us to discover impressive burial monuments and captivating archaeological sites of earliest Ireland, all of which are scattered across this verdant isle. Tour Highlights • Take a boat trip to the island of Inis Mor and visit Dun Aengus • View one of the largest examples of an Irish Court Tomb at Creevykeel
Creevykeel Carrowmore Carrowkeel Newgrange Loughcrew Hill of Tara Dublin Galway Inis Mor Poulnabrone
• Admire the collection of prehistoric artefacts at the National Museum of Dublin • Visit the Hill of Tara with over 30 visible monuments, including the Stone of Destiny
Day One | London - Dublin Fly to Dublin and enjoy a city walk. This includes a visit to Trinity College to view the Book of Kells and also the 12th century St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Day Two | Hill of Tara Our tour begins at Fourknocks, a burial chamber discovered in 1949. We then explore the Hill of Tara before continuing to the National Museum. Here, we explore its fine exhibition on prehistoric Ireland. Day Three | Newgrange - Knowth This morning we journey to Newgrange, a monumental burial mound from the Neolithic period. From here, we enjoy a guided tour of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Knowth, situated in the Boyne Valley. Day Four | Loughcrew - Creevykeel We head for Loughcrew, a rugged group of partially engraved megalithic carvings. Next, we travel to the coastal town of Sligo and stop for lunch. Our final visit of the day is to one of the best and largest examples of an Irish Court Tomb at Creevykeel.
Day Five | Carrowmore - Carrowkeel Today’s highlight is our visit to Carrowmore, considered as the largest prehistoric cemetery of Ireland. 30 monuments are still visible on site. After lunch, we wander around Carrowkeel megalithic complex, one of the most important Neolithic centres of prehistoric Ireland. Day Six | Poulnabone - Galway We start with a scenic drive south towards Galway. En route, there will be stops to view Drumanone Dolmen and Castlestrange Stone. After lunch, we travel to Poulnabrone Dolmen. In Galway, we visit the prehistoric collection in the Galway City Museum, before ending our day with a city walk. Day Seven | Inis Mor We catch a ferry to Inis Mor, a magnificent island bearing a wealth of sites and monuments. We visit Dun Aengus – the largest prehistoric hillfort on the Aran Islands, situated on a steep cliff above the sea. Day Eight | Galway - Dublin - London We travel back to Dublin for our return flights to London.
Guided by Jeremy Bennett A British archaeologist, Jeremy is currently studying for his PhD, for which he is examining Maltese agricultural terraces at Cambridge.
Dates & prices per person Date
Twin/Dbl Share
SS
14th - 21st Jun
£2,445
£555
28th Jun - 5th Jul
£2,445
£555
2nd - 9th Aug
£2,545
£555
Price Includes • • • • • • •
Expert Guide Lecturer & Tour Manager Return flights from London & all local transport Accommodation in Dublin, Sligo & Galway 7 breakfasts, 7 lunches & 7 dinners Water with all meals, wine & tea or coffee with dinner Entries to all sites & museums All taxes & gratuities
Full tour details of this tour visit andantetravels.com/pir 01722 395442 | 7
Three Cliffs Bay, Swansea
THE ARCHAEOLOGY OF WALES
Delve into the fascinating stories of this country 10 Days
From £2,895pp
Departing June 2020
Activity Level
Join us on a fascinating journey through 30,000 years of Welsh history. We see prehistoric sites from the Gower to the Clwydian Hills, and trace the Romans in Caerleon, Caerwent, Chester and Wroxeter. We cross the moats of several remarkable medieval castles and visit the greatest of the castles built by Edward I at Caernarfon. This is a unique tour for Andante as every day we follow a different theme, with a guide whose specialism, local knowledge and enthusiasm will transform each site we visit, bringing it vibrantly to life.
Caergybi Caernarfon
Tomen y Mur Wroxeter
Tour Highlights
Dolaucothi
• Some of the finest medieval castles anywhere in the world, testament to the clash of the Norman and Welsh kings • Follow the intriguing story of Wales’ industrial heritage as we go underground at the ancient Roman gold mines at Dolaucothi • View the marvellous prehistoric and Roman remains situated in Anglesey, including the sacred lake at Llyn Cerrig Bach
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Bryn Celi Ddu Chester Rhosesmore
Llansteffan Carew
Gower
Caeleon Cardiff
Day One | Cardiff We meet at our hotel. This afternoon, we spend time in St. Fagans National Museum of History for an introduction to the archaeology of the Principality. Day Two | Caerleon - Caerwent We journey to Caerleon to visit the Legionary fortress of the Second Legion, the best preserved in all of Britain. Visible remains here include the baths, amphitheatre and barracks. Not far away is one of the most complete Roman town walls in Britain, which once protected the town of Venta Silurum – Caerwent. Day Three | Gower - Rhossili Down Today we explore the Gower Peninsula, which is rich in prehistory. We will walk to the Severn-Cotswold chambered tomb at Parc le Breos and the nearby Cat Hole Cave. A walk on Rhossili Down takes us past cairns and chambered tombs, including Sweyne’s Howes. We end our day at Arthur’s Stone burial chamber. Day Four | Llansteffan - Carew A day of castles in the south-west. The subjugation of the old Welsh kingdoms by new Norman rulers in the 11th and 12th centuries were consolidated by the construction of a line of castles from Chepstow to Pembroke. We visit Llansteffan, Laugharne and Carew. Day Five | Dolaucothi - Tomen y Mur Today we visit the gold mines at Dolaucothi, which provide evidence for Roman and later mining. We journey to the Roman fort of Tomen y Mur. The last visit of the day will be to Penmachno to see a remarkable collection of post-Roman inscriptions, housed in St. Tudclud’s Church.
Day Seven | Segontium - Caernarfon We visit the Roman fort at Segontium, situated to watch over the Menai Straits, and Caernarfon Castle, one of the huge fortifications built by Edward I. After an independent lunch, we have free time to explore Caernarfon. Day Eight | Foel Fenlli - Rhosesmor It’s into the Clwydian hills today to see the impressive Iron Age hillforts, including Foel Fenlli and Moel y Gaer Rhosesmor. Day Nine | Chester A day on foot in Chester awaits, fortress base of the 20th Legion, and a prosperous Roman, medieval and later city. We visit the amphitheatre, city walls and Grosvenor Museum, which is home to a very fine collection of Roman tombstones and artefacts. Day Ten | Wroxeter - Cardiff We travel through the Welsh Marches, stopping at Wroxeter to visit the remains of this important Roman town and the reconstructed Roman house. Our tour comes to an end upon our arrival back in Cardiff.
Day Six | Bryn Celli Ddu - Caergybi A day on Anglesey, the ancient and sacred Isle of Mon. We start with a visit to the chambered tombs of Bryn Celli Ddu and Barclodiad y Gawres. Afterwards, we explore the Ty Mawr hut circles. Next, it’s on to Caergybi to view the Roman fort at Holyhead and finally over to Penmon Priory.
Remains of the Caerleon, Newport
Guided by Mark Corney A lecturer, broadcaster and former Senior Landscape Investigator with the Royal Commission for Historic Monuments of England, Mark contributed to the popular Channel 4 TV show, ‘Time Team’. He specialises in later prehistoric and Roman archaeology.
Dates & prices per person Date
Twin/Dbl Share
SS
15th - 24th Jun
£2,895
£585
26th Jun - 5th Jul
£2,895
£585
Price Includes • • • • • • •
Caernarfon Castle, North Wales
Expert Guide Lecturer & Tour Manager All local transport Accommodation in Cardiff, Swansea, Anglesey & Chester 9 breakfasts, 7 lunches & 9 dinners Water with all meals, wine & tea or coffee with dinner Entries to all sites & museums All taxes & gratuities
Full tour details of this tour visit andantetravels.com/wal 01722 395442 | 9
Lanyon Quoit, Cornwall
CORNWALL | ANCIENT KERNOW Evocative landscapes and ancient history 7 Days
From £1,995pp
19th - 25th September 2020
Activity Level
Celtic Cornwall contains spectacular coastal and upland historic landscapes, and a remarkable variety of prehistoric, medieval and industrial archaeology. Explore Cornwall’s chambered tombs, stone circles, hut circles, and courtyard houses. Visit chapels and castles, including Tintagel – where reality outdoes the myths surrounding King Arthur, Tristan and Iseult. We will also discover the industrial archaeology of tin-mining, which brought wealth to Cornwall from Roman times and beyond. Tintagel Roughtor
Tour Highlights • Separate myth and archaeological reality at Tintagel Castle
Bodmin Moor
• Follow the transformations of St. Michael’s Mount through history • Explore 6,000 years of archaeology, from Early Neolithic to modern day tin mines
Restormel
• Unravel the ancient landscape during walks in West Penwith and on Bodmin Moor
Day One | Falmouth We meet at our hotel and enjoy an introductory lecture before dinner. Day Two | Zennor - Geevor We journey to West Penwith to visit the megalithic tomb of Lanyon Quoit. We explore the extraordinary ancient landscape of Zennor, walking through Iron Age fields to Gurnard’s Head cliff castle. After lunch, we make our way to Geevor Tin Mine for an underground tour of the largest preserved tin mine in the whole of the UK. Day Three | Roughtor - Tintagel We set out to Roughtor, a beautiful mini-mountain with a Neolithic tor enclosure rearing over a moorland landscape. This afternoon we explore Tintagel, the hefty half-island that was the focus of power and pre-Norman trade with the Mediterranean. This enigmatic place is associated with the tales of legendary King Arthur. Day Four | Eden - Restormel We travel to Bodelva to visit the Eden Project. Two massive biomes house the largest rainforest in captivity as well as a Mediterranean landscape. After 10 | andantetravels.com
lunch, we head towards Restormel to explore the ruins of the medieval castle. A short drive brings us to Lostwithiel town to view Duchy Palace.
Day Five | Bodmin Moor - St. Neot Today, we take a walk on Bodmin Moor. Wander through the Hurlers stone circles and past old tin mines to Stowe’s Hill tor enclosure and Craddock Moor’s hut circles. Drive to King Doniert’s Stone and to St. Neot, to the church with its early crosses and medieval stained-glass windows. Day Six | St. Michael’s Mount The morning is spent at Roman-period Chysauster Courtyard House Village, one of Britain’s best-preserved ancient settlements, where we nose around multi-roomed dwellings. After lunch on the island of St. Michael’s Mount, we take an extensive tour of this iconic priory, including the castle, stately home, gardens, and historic harbour, once an Iron Age tin-trading centre. Day Seven | Falmouth A free morning to explore the historic maritime town of Falmouth awaits, before travelling independently home.
Eden Project
Zennor Chysauster Geevor
Falmouth
St. Michael’s Mount
Guided by Pete Herring Lead for the Strategic Historic Environment team at Cornwall Council, Pete has spent over 30 years studying Cornwall’s rich landscape.
Dates & prices per person Date
Twin/Dbl Share
SS
19th - 25th Sep
£1,995
£585
Price Includes • • • • • • •
Expert Guide Lecturer & Tour Manager All local transport Accommodation in Falmouth 6 breakfasts, 5 lunches & 6 dinners Water with all meals, tea or coffee with dinner Entries to all sites & museums All taxes & gratuities
Full tour details of this tour visit andantetravels.com/cor
Please note that the order of the itinerary is subject to change, due to the accessibility of St. Michael’s Mount
LEBRATING CE
35 Years
Stonehenge, Wiltshire
JOURNEY THROUGH WESSEX
Visit the famous stone circle of Stonehenge 7 Days
From £2,395pp
Departing May & August 2020
Activity Level
Nowhere else in the world could you find such an outstanding cluster of sites covering thousands of years in one small area. This tour, which was our very first back in 1985, takes advantage of the monuments of Wessex as a “textbook” introduction to the story of our human past in Britain. Follow us on a trip through the millennia, from prehistory to medieval Britain, using the famous representative milestones in human development to chart our progress, piecing together the ancient past as we go. Tour Highlights • Enjoy a journey through time, visiting outstanding monuments from each period
Avebury
Bath
• Visit Old Sarum, Salisbury Cathedral and Winchester Cathedral • View the excellent collections of the Wessex Gallery within the Salisbury Museum
Devises Stonehenge
• Get first-hand insights from renowned British archaeologists
Old Sarum Salisbury
Day One | Winchester We meet this evening at our hotel in Winchester and enjoy an introductory lecture before dinner. Day Two | Devizes - Avebury This morning we visit the Wiltshire Museum in Devizes, which houses some of the finest prehistoric collections in England. Next, we visit the Neolithic henge at Avebury. After lunch, we enjoy a walk around the countryside, viewing the chambers of the Long Barrow at West Kennet and Silbury Hill. Day Three | Salisbury - Stonehenge We visit Salisbury Museum to view finds from the earliest evidence of human occupation in the Salisbury area. In the afternoon, we explore the rich prehistoric landscape at Stonehenge, with its world famous stone circle. Day Four | Maiden Castle - Dorchester Today starts at Maiden Castle, widely known for its impressive ramparts. It is one of Europe’s largest and most important Iron Age hillforts. We spend our afternoon at the Roman Town House in Dorchester to view the excavated remains and mosaic floors.
Day Five | Fishbourne - Portchester We continue our exploration of the Romans with a visit to Fishbourne Roman Palace. Here, we will view the largest assemblage of in situ mosaics in the UK. The afternoon is spent at Portchester Castle, part of the fortification sites along the Saxon Shore in the late 3rd century. Day Six | Bath This morning we travel to Bath to visit the Roman Baths Museum. Aside from the vast pre-Roman and Roman collections in the associated museum, the complex comprises the remains of a Roman Temple and a Sacred Spring. The afternoon is free to wander the charming cobbled streets of Bath. Day Seven | Old Sarum - Winchester Our first visit of the day is to Old Sarum, which was known as Sorviodunum in Roman times. We then continue to Salisbury Cathedral with its important tombs and the world’s oldest still-working mechanical clock. Before our tour comes to an end, we will visit Winchester Cathedral, one of Europe’s largest Gothic cathedrals.
Winchester
Portchester Castle Dorchester Fishbourne
Maiden Castle
Guided by Mark Corney A frequent contributor to Channel 4’s series “Time Team”, Mark Corney is a freelance archaeological consultant.
Dates & prices per person Date
Twin/Dbl Share
SS
3rd - 9th May
£2,395
£310
30th Aug - 5th Sep
£2,395
£310
Price Includes • • • • • • •
Expert Guide Lecturer & Tour Manager All local transport Accommodation in Winchester 6 breakfasts, 6 lunches & 6 dinners Water with all meals, wine & tea or coffee with dinner Entries to all sites & museums All taxes & gratuities
Full tour details of this tour visit andantetravels.com/whc 01722 395442 | 11
W NE R FO 20 20 Chedworth Roman Villa, Gloucestershire
BRITANNIA PRIMA
The wealth of the Roman west country 5 Days
From £1,435pp
19th - 23rd April 2020
Activity Level
After distant and mysterious Britannia was conquered and brought into the embrace of the Roman Empire, new systems, beliefs and comforts mixed with local traditions to produce a uniquely British twist. High-ranking Britons increasingly enjoyed a luxurious and cultured lifestyle, particularly evident in the Cotswolds. These western lands became the late Roman province of Britannia Prima, with its principal city at Cirencester, as well as other nearby rich villas and temples. Tour Highlights • Visit the Roman temple and famous hot spring bathing complex in Bath • Explore some of the best-preserved monuments of the Roman world
Cirencester
• Discover the forum, basilica and vast town walls at Caerwent, ancient Venta Silurum
Day One | Bath Arrive independently and meet the group at our hotel in Bath. We will have an introductory lecture before dinner. Day Two | Bath Spend the day in Bath and visit the famous Roman Baths complex and its museum. The deity of the hot spring, worshipped by the Iron Age Dobunni tribe as Sulis, was identified by the Romans with their Minerva, and the bathing complex became more elaborate as time went on. There will be some free time in the afternoon to explore Bath at your own leisure. Day Three | Cirencester - Chedworth This morning, we drive out to Cirencester. Just on the outskirts of the modern town we find the remains of one of Britain’s largest amphitheatres, ingeniously adapted from a prehistoric henge. In the Corinium Museum we explore the galleries with impressive finds from the Roman city, second in size only to London in its heyday. After lunch, we continue to Chedworth to investigate one of the largest Roman villas in Britain, which boasts several beautiful mosaics. 12 | andantetravels.com
Day Four | Lydney Park - Caerwent We make our way to Lydney Park, famed for its lush rhododendron gardens, at their best in the spring. Above these stand the remains of the Roman Temple of Nodens and its bathing complex, with remarkable finds in the museum. The most famous is a perfect little bronze statue of a dog, associated with healing. The afternoon will be spent at Caerwent, Venta Silurum, built as a planned settlement and market town for the defeated Silures tribe. We view the impressive remains of the town wall, excavated houses, forum basilica, and a temple. Day Five | Caerleon On our last morning, we journey out to Caerleon, the Roman legionary fortress Isca Augusta, one of only three permanent legionary fortresses in the country. We explore the exposed fortress walls and barracks blocks, and pay a visit to the remains of the military bath house. The excellent National Roman Legion Museum contains important finds from the site. After lunch, we return to Bath and our tour comes to an end.
Chedworth
Lydney Park
• Stand in the amphitheatre arena at Caerleon and view the legionary bath house Caerleon
Caerwent Bath
Guided by Denise Allen One of our top-rated guides, Denise has been leading tours for Andante since 1999, and has excavated at numerous sites around the UK.
Dates & prices per person Date
Twin/Dbl Share
SS
19th - 23rd Apr
£1,435
£245
Price Includes • • • • • • •
Expert Guide Lecturer & Tour Manager All local transport Accommodation in Bath 4 breakfasts, 4 lunches & 4 dinners Water with all meals, tea or coffee with dinner Entries to all sites & museums All taxes & gratuities
Full tour details of this tour visit andantetravels.com/brp
W NE R FO 20 20 Old Sarum, Salisbury
FALCO’S BRITANNIA
Exploring Roman Britain with Lindsey Davis 6 Days
From £2,395pp
13th - 18th July 2020
Activity Level
This tour offers you the chance to visit some of the most important sites in Roman Britain alongside both an award-winning novelist and a well-known archaeologist. Your Guide Lecturer, Denise Allen, who has just written a book on Roman Britain, will provide you with cutting-edge commentary on the sites, while Lindsey Davis will give insights into how she conceived her Falco and Albia series, both with main characters who have had formative experiences in Britannia. Tour Highlights • Visit two superb Roman villas on the Isle of Wight • Gain an interesting insight into everyday life in Roman London
St Albans
• Discover the intrigue of Roman Bath in the company of an expert Guide Lecturer • Explore the Roman palace at Fishbourne for its history and place in the Falco novels
Welwyn London
Bath Old Sarum
Day One | London Our day starts with a visit to the Museum of London. Here, we view wonderful everyday artefacts like leather undergarments and a garum amphora. Next, we visit the Billingsgate Roman baths and the Mithraeum. Day Two | Welwyn - St. Albans We start with a visit to the Roman baths at Welwyn, just north of modernday Welwyn Garden City. We proceed to the ancient city of Verulamium, where we visit the theatre, the only one of its kind in England. Our final visit of the day takes us to Verulamium Museum, where we will see its colourful mosaics and everyday objects. Day Three | Butser - Fishbourne We travel to Butser Ancient Farm, to explore reconstructed Romano British housing, before proceeding to Chichester, where we see remnants of the heartland of King Togidubnus. We end the day at Fishbourne, the backdrop of a Falco novel, and believed by many to be Togidubnus’ palace, the opulence of which is evidenced by its extraordinary mosaics.
Day Four | Isle of Wight We venture to the Isle of Wight where we visit Brading Villa, which has some of the most interesting mosaics in Britain, including the intriguing depiction of a man with a cockerel’s head. We continue to Newport Villa, grand enough to be glazed and to have frescoes as well as a bath complex. Day Five | Portchester - Old Sarum This morning we head to Portchester Castle, the finest preserved Roman fortress in Northern Europe. Built in the end of the 3rd century, it was strategically placed to defend the coast from pirates. We continue to Old Sarum to consider the role this incredible fort played in the Roman period. Day Six | Bath - Charterhouse The bathing complex in Bath, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is intriguing for conflating a bathing complex with a sacred spring to the goddess Sulis. Our final visit is closely linked to the first Falco novel, namely the mines at Charterhouse, whose extraction of silver and lead was important for the payment of Roman soldiers.
Porchester Isle of Wight
Fishbourne
Guided by Dr Denise Allen. Lindsey Davis will also be joining the tour as our special Guest Lecturer.
Dates & prices per person Date
Twin/Dbl Share
SS
13th - 18th Jul
£2,395
£610
Price Includes • • • • • • •
Guest Lecturer, Expert Guide Lecturer & Tour Manager All local transport Accommodation in London, Portsmouth & Bath 5 breakfasts, 6 lunches & 5 dinners Water with all meals, tea or coffee with dinner Entries to all sites & museums All taxes & gratuities
Full tour details of this tour visit andantetravels.com/fbr 01722 395442 | 13
W NE R FO 20 20 Remains of the London Wall
ARCHAEOLOGY OF LONDON
Discover a wealth of intriguing history 5 Days
From £1,675pp
Departing June & October 2020
Activity Level
The city of London has a history that extends back over 2,000 years. Starting with its earliest beginnings, this tour focusses on its Roman and medieval past, up into the modern age, on a walking tour. In addition to artefacts from London’s past, recovered during excavations and on display in the Museum of London, we trace back the city’s history from the foundation of Londinium in AD 43 up to the beginning of the 20th century at Whitechapel, and discover the secrets of this global metropolis. Tour Highlights • Visit London Mithraeum to view the temple remains in their new location • Delve into the 18th century at Dennis Severs’ House, with its recreated interior • Walk along the remains of the London Wall and discover other Roman sites hidden beneath the modern street level
Day One | Museum of London Arrive independently in London and meet at our hotel. This afternoon, we visit the Roman Gallery of the Museum of London, for a tour that is followed by an introductory lecture and dinner. Day Two | London Mithraeum We start with a walk along parts of the London Wall. Arriving at All Hallows by the Tower, we view the Saxon and Roman finds on display in the Crypt Museum, as well as part of a Roman pavement that once formed part of a domestic house. Next, we visit Billingsgate Roman House and Baths, discovered in 1848. This afternoon, we see the London Mithraeum, one of London’s most significant archaeological sites. We end our day at the Guildhall, where we view the remains of the Roman Amphitheatre. Day Three | Dennis Severs’ House Focussing mainly on medieval London today, we will return to the Museum of London to visit the medieval Gallery. A stroll along Smithfield Meat Market brings us to the Charterhouse. Founded as a Carthusian monastery, 14 | andantetravels.com
Museum of London London Mithraeum
it became a Tudor mansion and later a boys’ school and almshouse. Next, it’s on to the Museum of the Order of St. John. The exhibition tells the story of this religious military order. We visit the Church of St. John and end the day at Dennis Severs’ House in Spitalfields, the residence of a Huguenot silkweaver family from 1724 until the beginning of the 20th century.
Day Four | Whitechapel - Southwark On our last full day, we continue our exploration of industrial to modern day London. A walk through Whitechapel and its troubled past leads us back to Spitalfields. From London Monument, a reminder of the Great Fire of 1666, we cross the Thames to Southwark. A visit to Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, a reconstruction of the Elizabethan playhouse based on archaeological and historical sources, will bring to life the theatre’s history, the reconstruction process and its modern use. Day Five | London Our tour ends this morning after breakfast. It’s time to travel home or explore more of London independently.
Dennis Severs’ House Whitechapel
Southwark
Guided by John Oxley Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London, John has also worked in York as City Archaeologist since 1989.
Dates & prices per person Date
Twin/Dbl Share
SS
1st - 5th June
£1,675
£660
19th - 23rd Oct
£1,675
£660
Price Includes • • • • • • •
Expert Guide Lecturer & Tour Manager All local transport Accommodation in London 4 breakfasts, 3 lunches & 4 dinners Water with all meals, tea or coffee with dinner Entries to all sites & museums All taxes & gratuities
Full tour details of this tour visit andantetravels.com/lon
Please note that the order of visits might change due to availability of site bookings in London.
W NE R FO 20 20 The old library and clock tower, Cambridge
ARCHAEOLOGY & GHOSTS IN EAST ANGLIA M. R. James & the supernatural 4 Days
From £1,065pp
Departing October & December 2020
Activity Level
East Anglia’s rich archaeological heritage exists alongside fables, legends and stories, exemplified by the ghost stories of M. R. James. As a Cambridge based archaeologist, medievalist and curator, James was born and bred in the region, and was privy to its odd corners and folklore. This tour will introduce some of the world-class archaeological sites that are to be seen, together with a peep behind the curtain into pandemonium as we follow James’ fiction between monuments. Tour Highlights • Explore the Neolithic flint mines at Grime’s Graves
Grime’s Graves
• Listen to the haunting classic ghost stories in atmospheric surroundings • Tour Sutton Hoo, the burial place of kings and Britain’s richest archaeological find • Visit the reconstructed Saxon village at West Stow – a chance to sit in a Saxon Hall
Day One | Cambridge We arrive in Cambridge and take an orientation walk around this great university city. An evening presentation on M. R. James includes a reading of “Oh whistle, and I’ll come to you my lad,” perhaps his greatest story – a warning of the dangers of archaeology. Day Two | Fitzwilliam Museum This morning we visit the Fitzwilliam Museum, where M. R. James was assistant director, and where he most likely composed “Canon Alberic’s scrapbook,” a tale of the dangers awaiting bibliophiles. On to King’s College Chapel, the setting for the story “A night in King’s College Chapel,” and, after lunch, we walk past the Cambridge University Library, which James borrowed for the setting of the story “The Tractate Middoth,” a terrible admonition about returning library books! Next, we pay a visit to the library of Magdalene College, almost as famous as Samuel Pepys’ own collection of books. Tonight will be accompanied by a reading of “Canon Alberic’s scrapbook”.
Day Three | Bury St. Edmunds We start the day by visiting Bury St. Edmunds and the ruin of the great Benedictine abbey. From here, we drive to West Stow, where excavations in the 1980s brought to light a remarkable Saxon village of the migration years. After lunch, we go on to Grime’s Graves near Brandon, to visit a Neolithic flint mine. Later, we drive via Great Livermere (where James’ father was Rector) to Scole. This evening, we’ll hear a story about the dangers of illicit excavation in burial mounds, entitled “A warning to the Curious”. Day Four | Sutton Hoo - Cambridge Our last day begins with a trip to the coast, and Aldeburgh, the seaside town James used as inspiration for last night’s story, among others. We explore some of James’ haunts – the Martello Tower, the White Lion Hotel and the curiosity shop. After lunch, we will go on to see some burial mounds at Sutton Hoo, the great royal necropolis of East Anglia – burial place of King Redwald, the richest burial ever found in England – with its new visitor centre. We return to Cambridge for our onward journeys.
Cambridge
Bury St. Edmunds
Aldeburgh
Sutton Hoo
Guided by Oliver Gilkes One of our longest-standing Guide Lecturers, Oliver has also worked as a field and museum archaeologist in the UK, Albania and Italy.
Dates & prices per person Date
Twin/Dbl Share
SS
5th - 8th Oct
£1,125
£245
14th - 17th Dec
£1,065
£210
Price Includes • • • • • • •
Expert Guide Lecturer & Tour Manager All local transport Accommodation in Cambridge & Scole 3 breakfasts, 3 lunches & 3 dinners Water with all meals, tea or coffee with dinner Entries to all sites & museums All taxes & gratuities
Full tour details of this tour visit andantetravels.com/mrj 01722 395442 | 15
The Great Laxey Wheel
THE ARCHAEOLOGY OF THE ISLE OF MAN Discover a wealth of sites across a wide range of history 6 Days
From £1,545pp
Departing June & September 2020
Activity Level
Ellan Vannin - the Isle of Man - boasts a rich archaeological heritage from the Neolithic period and the Iron Age, a Celtic and Norse past, and times under the control of the Earls of Derby, the Dukes of Athol and then the British Crown. It is known for its craggy coastline, medieval castles and rural landscape. Add in the Great Laxey Wheel and Archibald Knox, and you’ll wonder why you’ve not explored this fascinating part of the world before. Kirk Andreas
Tour Highlights • Discover a Viking ship burial at Balladoole • View striking examples of Celtic and Norse crosses • See the world’s largest working waterwheel at Laxey • Visit Tynwald Hill, one of the island’s most distinctive landmarks
Laxey Wheel
Peel Tynwald Hill
Day One | Douglas We meet in Douglas, on the Isle of Man, at our hotel. There will be a welcome lecture from our expert guide before dinner this evening, which will give us an interesting introduction to the surrounding area. Day Two | King Orry’s Grave Kirk Andreas This morning we pay a visit to King Orry’s Grave, a Neolithic chambered cairn, the Neolithic tombs at Cashtal yn Ard, and Ballafayle, which is also a Quaker burial ground. Kirk Andreas houses cross-slabs from the 7th to the 11th centuries, and Kirk Maughold is the site of an early monastery with Celtic and Norse memorials. Day Three | Peel - Tynwald Hill We start with the Neo-Gothic Kirk Michael Church, which boasts an impressive collection of Norse crosses. We continue to Peel Castle, which was originally constructed by Vikings in the 11th century, before moving onto the House of Manannan museum. Here, we learn about the island’s fascinating maritime, Viking and Celtic past. 16 | andantetravels.com
We also visit Tynwald Hill, which still plays a prominent role in Manx government, and Saint Trinian’s medieval church, which is situated at the foot of Greba Hill.
Day Four | Balladoole - St. Michael’s Isle Today, we visit the Neolithic Meayll Circle and the village folk museum in Cregneash. Then it’s on to Chapel Hill in Balladoole to see an Iron Age fort, a Viking Ship and a Celtic/Norse chapel. After, we visit Castle Rushen in Castletown and Rushen Abbey in Ballasalla, before the chapel and Derby Fort on St. Michael’s Isle. Day Five | Laxey Wheel Our day begins at the Great Laxey Wheel, which is the world’s largest working waterwheel. Moving on via Cronkbourne village, we visit Braddan cemetery, the Old Kirk Braddan, to see the Braddan crosses. Afterwards, at the Manx Museum, we will have lunch and some free time to explore. Day Six | Douglas After breakfast this morning, our tour will come to a close.
Douglas
Balladoole
Saint Michael’s Isle
Guided by Andrew Foxon With a background in archaeology and interpretation, Andrew has many years of experience in the museum sector on the IOM.
Dates & prices per person Date
Twin/Dbl Share
SS
22nd - 27th Jun
£1,545
£95
7th - 12th Sep
£1,895
£95
Price Includes • • • • • • •
Expert Guide Lecturer & Tour Manager All local transport Accommodation in Douglas 5 breakfasts, 4 lunches & 5 dinners Water with all meals, wine & tea or coffee with dinner Entries to all sites & museums All taxes & gratuities
Full tour details of this tour visit andantetravels.com/iom
Milecastle 39, Hadrian’s Wall
HIGHLIGHTS OF HADRIAN’S WALL
Highlights of the north-west frontier of the Roman Empire 6 Days
From £1,595pp
20th - 25th September 2020
Activity Level
Hadrian’s Wall and the history of the Romans in Britain is as fascinating as ever. For those who wish to explore the former Roman frontier, but with less walking involved, we are delighted to offer an alternative tour. Join our guide lecturer Tony Wilmott, one of the leading experts in Roman archaeology, on this unique trip from coast to coast. Tony has excavated for many years on several sites included in the itinerary and will give you unparalleled first-hand insights. Tour Highlights • See the new Hadrian’s Wall gallery at the Tullie House Museum
Housesteads Roman Fort
• Visit the Temple of Mithras at Carrawburgh and take a tour of Vindolanda Tullie House
• View the bath house at Ravenglass, one of the tallest surviving Roman structures
Day One | Wetheral We meet this afternoon in our hotel for an introductory lecture before dinner. Day Two | Swarthy Hill - Ravenglass Today we look at the little-visited western flank of the Hadrian’s Wall frontier. In the morning, we start at the Roman fort Swarthy Hill (milefortlet 21). In the afternoon we drive to Ravenglass, the southernmost fort on the frontier system, to see the Walls Castle Roman bath house – one of the highest-standing surviving Roman structures in Britain. Day Three | Birdoswald - Tullie House We drive along Hadrian’s Wall, pausing at Turret 52a, Banks East and the pre-wall Pike Hill turret. We begin at Milecastle 48, Poltross Burn, and walk 1 mile to Birdoswald Fort, via Turrets 48a and 48b, the bridge at Willowford and Milecastle 49, Harrows Scar. In the afternoon we visit Tullie House Museum – one of the two major Hadrian’s Wall museums – and its new gallery. Day Four | Housesteads - Chesters Today, we see the iconic central sector of the Wall. In the morning, we visit
the Temple of Mithras at the fort of Carrawburgh, followed by Housesteads Roman Fort and Museum. From here, we walk three miles across the grandiose crags of the Great Whin Sill, passing Milecastle 37 and 39, towards Steel Rigg. Our day ends with a visit to the fort of Chesters.
Day Five | Vindolanda - Corbridge The Stanegate was the Trajanic frontier pre-dating Hadrian’s Wall, and today we visit its key sites. We spend an entire morning at Vindolanda, famous for its unique collection of Roman ink writing tablets. We visit the extensive and ongoing excavations and the superb museum. In the afternoon, we travel to the Roman site of Corbridge with its fascinating museum. Day Six | Newcastle On our final day, we drive to Wallsend - Segedunum, to visit the most completely excavated Roman fort on the line, the museum, and the reconstructed bath house. We continue in the museum of the eastern flank of the Wall, the Great North Museum in Newcastle before our tour ends.
Segedunum
Birdoswald
• Explore Hadrian’s Wall and its forts during a more relaxed walking tour
Wetheral
Corbridge
Ravenglass
Guided by Tony Wilmott Senior Archaeologist at Historic England, Tony has directed numerous excavations, including the Hadrian’s Wall World Heritage Site.
Dates & prices per person Date
Twin/Dbl Share
SS
20th - 25th Sep
£1,595
£250
Price Includes • • • • • • •
Expert Guide Lecturer & Tour Manager All local transport Accommodation in Wetheral & Hexham 5 breakfasts, 1 lunch & 5 dinners Water with all meals, tea or coffee with dinner Entries to all sites & museums All taxes & gratuities
Full tour details of this tour visit andantetravels.com/hah 01722 395442 | 17
Roman wall near Caw Gap, Hadrian’s Wall
WALKING HADRIAN’S WALL
Discover the archaeological remains at Vindolanda 9 Days
From £2,195pp
7th - 15th September 2020
Activity Level
The Hadrian’s Wall footpath crosses wild and beautiful terrain, its route covering the shortest distance coast to coast across the country, following Hadrian’s frontier. This is a real walking holiday, covering up to 7.2 miles per day. Pass forts, mile castles and some fine museums as we walk west to east. Crossing the Northumbrian and Cumbrian fells, it’s easy to imagine the Roman soldiers, far from Syria or Spain, as they patrolled the farther flung corner of the Empire. Tour Highlights • Walk along the largest unbroken section of Hadrian’s Wall • Search deeper into the rich Roman history of this unique area • Explore Birdoswald, where we’ll see its fort and museum
Whittle Carrawburgh Dene Birdoswald Segedunum Benwell Lanercost Vindolanda Heavenfield Priory Scotswood
• Walk the route in the company of an expert, who knows its stories inside and out
Day One | Wetheral We meet at our hotel in Wetheral and enjoy a welcome lecture from our guide.
After lunch, we drive to Steel Rigg and head to Housesteads Roman Fort to view the remains and the museum.
Day Two | Tullie House Museum We drive to Bowness-on-Solway where our walk begins. We wander along the shore of the Solway Firth toward Burgh-by-Sands. Our day ends with a visit to Tullie House Museum in Carlisle.
Day Six | Chesters We head to the fort and mithraeum at Carrawburgh, and continue further on to Chesters. Here, we visit the most complete Roman cavalry fort and bath house in the country.
Day Three | Birdoswald Starting at Lancercost Priory, we stroll via Haytongate, Hare Hill and the Banks Turret to Birdoswald. Here, we explore the Roman remains, which include ancient gates and a museum.
Day Seven | Corbridge We start at Heavenfield and trek to Port Gate. Following lunch, we take a short drive to Corbridge, once a vibrant Roman town. In the museum, we will view the large collection of artefacts associated with Hadrian’s Wall.
Day Four | Carvoran We return to Birdoswald and walk towards Thirlwell along the longest unbroken section of Hadrian’s Wall. After a short drive, we stop at Carvoran to explore the notable collections of the Roman Army Museum. We continue on to Burnhead. Day Five | Vindolanda Our visit to Vindolanda includes the 3rd century bath house, fort, a temple, and the internationally important museum. 18 | andantetravels.com
Day Eight | Benwell This morning we start at Whittle Dene Reservoir and wander to Heddon-onthe-Wall. We then drive to Benwell to explore the remains of the Roman Temple and the Vallum Crossing. Day Nine | Segedunum We begin with a walk from Scotswood to Newcastle and visit the Great North Museum. Before heading home, we visit Segedunum Roman fort at Wallsend.
Tullie House
Wetheral
Guided by Tony Wilmott Senior Archaeologist at Historic England, Tony has directed numerous excavations, including the Hadrian’s Wall World Heritage Site.
Dates & prices per person Date
Twin/Dbl Share
SS
7th - 15th Sep
£2,195
£425
Price Includes • • • • • • •
Expert Guide Lecturer & Tour Manager All local transport Accommodation in Wetheral & Hexham 8 breakfasts, 8 lunches & 8 dinners Water with all meals, wine & tea or coffee with dinner Entries to all sites & museums All taxes & gratuities
Full tour details of this tour visit andantetravels.com/had
W NE R FO 20 20 Durham Cathedral
THE GOLDEN AGE OF NORTHUMBRIA The Kings of the North 6 Days
From £1,745pp
Departing April & September 2020
Activity Level
In an era of warfare, raiders and ruthless kings, northern England occupied a place on an international stage that placed it alongside the great powers of the continent. The kingdom of Northumbria dominated the north and under its Kings Edwin, Oswald, Ivar the Boneless and Eric Bloodaxe, it held primacy over Anglo-Viking Britain. Royal, secular and ecclesiastical patronage produced unrivalled cultural achievements in art, architecture, writing, and learning. Tour Highlights • Visit the famous monastery of Lindisfarne, raided by Vikings in AD 793
Bamburgh
• Explore the once bustling Roman town of Corbridge in the Tyne Valley
Lindisfarne
• View the abbey of Monkwearmouth-Jarrow, once home of the Venerable Bede • Discover medieval York and admire the Norman architecture of Durham Cathedral
Hexham
Jarrow Durham
Day One | York Arrive independently in York and gather at the hotel. This afternoon will be spent exploring the heart of the medieval city. We walk to see the city walls and York Minster with its aweinspiring stained-glass windows. Before dinner, there will be an interesting introductory lecture.
Day Four | Durham We explore the Norman magnificence of Durham Cathedral, one of the bestpreserved Norman buildings in Europe. Inside the building are the tombs of St. Cuthbert and St. Bede. Next, we visit Durham Castle, where the bishop, the Royal warden in the north, held power from the 11th century.
Day Two | Jorvik centre Today we will walk through the city to the Yorkshire Museum, with its superb collection of finds from Roman Anglian and Viking York. This afternoon we walk to Coppergate and the Jorvik centre, where, during the 1970s, groundbreaking excavations uncovered rich evidence for the early city.
Day Five | Jarrow - Hexham We drive to Jarrow to visit the remains of the Abbey of St. Peter and Paul, once Bede’s home monastery. Amazingly, some of the original buildings remain standing around the later church. After, we drive to see another great building of its time at Hexham Abbey. We end the day with a visit to Corbridge, a Roman supply base.
Day Three | Brompton - Auckland We drive to Brompton. Here, in the churchyard, are the famous hogbacks – Anglo-Viking tombstones formed in the shape of an early medieval longhouse or hall being savaged by fierce bears. On to Bishop Auckland, where the bishop of Durham had both a castle and palace. We continue to Durham and enjoy a walk through the city.
Day Six | Bamburgh - Lindisfarne Today we head to Bamburgh. The Norman royal castle is evocatively located right above the sands of the beach. This afternoon we make our way to Lindisfarne, where St. Cuthbert’s community produced masterpieces like the Lindisfarne gospels. We return to Durham for our onward journeys.
Brompton York
Guided by John Oxley Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London, John has also worked in York as City Archaeologist since 1989.
Dates & prices per person Date
Twin/Dbl Share
SS
20th - 25th Apr
£1,745
£325
14th - 19th Sep
£1,745
£325
Price Includes • • • • • • •
Expert Guide Lecturer & Tour Manager All local transport Accommodation in York & Durham 5 breakfasts, 5 lunches & 5 dinners Water with all meals, tea or coffee with dinner Entries to all sites & museums All taxes & gratuities
Full tour details of this tour visit andantetravels.com/nob 01722 395442 | 19
Corbridge’s old stone bridge, Northumberland
THE ROMANS IN THE NORTH
See the Cramond Lioness at the National Museum of Scotland 7 Days
From £2,495pp
Departing June & September 2020
Activity Level
Britain was Rome’s most northerly province. Several attempts were launched to try and subdue the whole island, but the Romans had to settle for the rich south, leaving the bleak highlands under the watchful eyes of the Roman army. This tour takes us through northern Britain and follows in the footsteps of Septimius Severus, the last emperor to make a serious attempt to conquer the north. Carpow Rough Edinburgh Castle Inveresk Cramond
Tour Highlights • Visit York, the metropolis of the Roman north • Explore the remains of the Antonine Wall, the most northerly frontier wall
Trimontium
• Discover Vindolanda, one of the most important civilian and military sites • Tour Edinburgh, Scotland’s capital and home to the National Museum of Scotland
Day One | York We assemble in York and check in to our hotel. We then have an orientation walk around the city and enjoy a lecture on the Roman’s last invasion of Scotland. Day Two | York - Eboracum Today we explore York – ancient Eboracum – base of the sixth legion. We visit the famous Yorkshire Museum and walk along the line of the legionary fortress walls to the Multangular Tower. This afternoon, we visit the excavations of the legionary headquarters beneath York Minster.
Day Five | Trimontium - Edinburgh We drive north to Newstead, Roman Trimontium, an advance post north of the wall. We will explore the site and take a walk along part of Dere Street to see the marching camp of Severus’ time. We will also explore the fine Trimontium Museum of Scotland before heading onward to Edinburgh.
Day Three | Corbridge - Vindolanda We drive to Corbridge, a supply base used by the garrison of Hadrian’s Wall, and by Severus to provision his army. Next we explore Vindolanda, part of the original northern frontier, but reoccupied in the third century.
Day Six | Inveresk - Cramond We journey to Inveresk, an important fort where the local church of St. Michael was built over the remains of the military buildings. Afterwards, we visit the supply base at Cramond, where the famous Cramond Lioness was found. In the afternoon, we see this sculpture in the fantastic National Museum of Scotland.
Day Four | South Shields - Segedunum We spend a day examining the eastern defences of Hadrian’s Wall. We have a morning visit to South Shields with its reconstructed buildings. Later, we drive to Wallsend, where Hadrian’s Wall met the Tyne, the eastern anchor of the
Day Seven | Carpow - Gask Ridge We follow on the trail of Severus and his army to Carpow on the River Tay. From there, we drive to the Gask Ridge to trace the watch towers and signal stations. This afternoon we disperse for our onwards journeys home.
20 | andantetravels.com
Vindolanda Corbridge
northern frontier, to the excavated fort at Segedunum.
South Shields Segedunum
York
Guided by Dr Simon Elliott An award-winning and best-selling author, Simon is Co-Director of a Roman villa excavation in the Medway Valley.
Dates & prices per person Date
Twin/Dbl Share
SS
8th - 14th Jun
£2,495
£550
21st - 27th Sep
£2,495
£550
Price Includes • • • • • • •
Expert Guide Lecturer & Tour Manager All local transport Accommodation in York, Newcastle & Edinburgh 6 breakfasts, 6 lunches & 6 dinners Water with all meals, wine & tea or coffee with dinner Entries to all sites & museums All taxes & gratuities
Full tour details of this tour visit andantetravels.com/ron
W NE R FO 20 20 Loch Morlich, Cairngorm National Park
DISCOVER THE PICTS Warriors, Monks & Artists 7 Days
From £2,045pp
6th - 12th September 2020
Activity Level
The Picts were long considered to be a mysterious lost people from a very dark age, to the extent that entirely erroneous origin myths were created for them in recent centuries. This tour will explore how, even though they left behind no surviving documents, the Picts helped lay the foundation of modern Scotland. Get insights into the most recent developments in Pictish archaeology, which will revolutionise our understanding of the Picts and their kingdoms. Portmahomack
Tour Highlights
Burghead Bay
• View the important Pictish collection in the National Museum of Scotland
Elgin
• Explore masterpieces of Pictish carving, such as the St. Andrews Sarcophagus • Visit a chief royal fort of the northern Picts on the Moray Firth at Burghead • See most of the finest monumental Christian sculpture produced by the Picts Meffan Museum
Day One | Edinburgh We meet at our hotel in Edinburgh. Here, we will enjoy an introductory lecture before our first group dinner. Day Two | St. Andrews Our day starts with a visit to the National Museum of Scotland. Here, we will view its collections of spectacular objects and jewellery. After lunch, we journey to St. Andrews to inspect the famous 8th century sarcophagus. Day Three | Meffan Museum This morning we visit the McManus Gallery, housed in a magnificent Victorian building, to view the Pictish collection. After a short drive, we stop at the Glamis Manse Stone. In the afternoon, we explore the Meffan Museum to see more of the stonecarvers’ art of the southern Picts. Day Four | St. Vigeans Today we journey to Angus to visit the St. Vigeans Sculptured Stones and Museum. An outstanding collection is gathered here from the Pictish royal monastery. We return to Dundee where we spend the afternoon at the new V&A – Scotland’s very first design museum.
St. Vigeans Sculpture Stones McManus Gallery
Day Five | Craig Phadrig We drive to Dunning to see the freestanding Dupplin Cross, erected in memory of the mighty Pictish King Constantine. We then drive through Aviemore Cairngorm National Park towards the Inverness area. Later, we visit Craig Phadrig, an important royal fort where St. Columba was honoured by the pagan King Bridei. Day Six | Burghead - Elgin We begin at the Inverness Museum and Art Gallery, where we see the collection of archaeological artefacts from the Highlands. Next, we explore Burghead, a Pictish promontory. Finally, we continue to the museum in Elgin, to see a significant assemblage of impressive carved stones. Day Seven | Inverness - Edinburgh We journey to Portmahomack to spend time at the Tarbat Discovery Centre. Here, we experience the site of the great Pictish monastery as well as spectacularly decorated cross slabs, marking the boundaries of this rich ecclesiastical estate. After lunch, we return to Edinburgh and our tour ends.
Dupplin Cross
St. Andrews Edinburgh
Guided by Peter Yeoman Until recently, Peter was the Head of Cultural Heritage at Historic Scotland, with responsibility for the archaeology of the area.
Dates & prices per person Date
Twin/Dbl Share
SS
6th - 12th Sep
£2,045
£395
Price Includes • • • • • • •
Expert Guide Lecturer & Tour Manager All local transport Accommodation in Edinburgh, Dundee & Inverness 6 breakfasts, 6 lunches & 6 dinners Water with all meals, tea or coffee with dinner Entries to all sites & museums All taxes & gratuities
Full tour details of this tour visit andantetravels.com/pic 01722 395442 | 21
Standing Stones of Stenness, Orkney
ORKNEY & SHETLAND
From standing stones to chambered cairns 11 Days
From £2,995pp
13th - 23rd July 2020
Activity Level
The islands beyond the northernmost tip of Scotland glory in some of the most beautiful and rugged landscapes in the world. For more than 5,000 years they have been home to farmers and fishermen, who left monuments so impressive that this has been called an archaeologist’s paradise. During the Neolithic and Early Bronze Age, the people of Orkney and Shetland were among the first in Britain to begin building megalithic chambered tombs and, later, henge monuments. The islands are also blessed with natural beauty. Wildflowers bloom throughout the summer, covering the green cliffs with colour and the exquisite scent of heather. Tour Highlights • Marvel at the Neolithic dwellings at Skara Brae • Visit Maeshowe, one of Europe’s finest Neolithic chambered cairns • Admire the megalithic Stones of Stenness and the Ring of Brodgar • Discover Jarlshof with its remarkably well-preserved wheelhouses
22 | andantetravels.com
Underhoull
Scalloway St Ninians Isle
Muness Castle
Lerwick Broch of Mousa Old Scatness
Midhowe Skara Brae Maeshowe
Kirkwall
Day One | Lerwick We meet in our hotel, which is located in Shetland. Day Two | Old Scatness - Mousa Broch We travel to Old Scatness, an Iron Age broch and extensive settlement site. Next, we visit the amazing site of Jarlshof, originally constructed by Neolithic farmers in 2400 BC. Here, we view the oval, almost cosy-looking Bronze Age houses, Iron Age fortifications, Pictish symbols, and the remains of a Viking longhouse. In the afternoon, we take a ferry over to Mousa Broch to see the unique Iron Age tower structure, the tallest surviving in Scotland. Day Three | Underhoull - Muness Castle Today we see Viking houses at Underhoull, and the replica Viking house and ship at Brookpoint. At Skaw, we admire the view and pay a visit to Muness Castle. Day Four | Standydale Temple - Scord of Brouster This morning, we drive out to Standydale Temple, a megalithic structure of uncertain purpose. Next, we visit the Scord of Brouster and next, in Lerwick, we visit the Shetland Museum. We end our day at the Broch of Clickhimin. Day Five | St. Ninian’s Isle - Scalloway We explore St. Ninian’s Isle, where a striking white shell sand spit links the islands, and we visit a church. Excavations here revealed a fabulous hoard of Pictish silver. We then continue to South Voe Croft Museum, an engaging evocation of rural life in Shetland. The afternoon will be spent visiting Scalloway Museum and then we take an overnight ferry to Orkney.
Day Nine | Skara Brae - Brough of Birsay We begin the day at the Neolithic village of Skara Brae, amazingly well-preserved beneath the sand and occupied for over 600 years. Uncovered by a storm in 1850, this is the best-preserved prehistoric village in all western Europe. We also visit Skaill House, an impressive mansion from the 17th century. Later, we visit the Brough of Birsay to explore the Norse settlement remains. Day Ten | Tomb of the Eagles - Italian Chapel Visit the Tomb of the Eagles, a stalled cairn built before 3000 BC. We continue to the Burnt Mound at Liddle, a communal cooking place that offers us a taste of domesticity in the Bronze Age. Our day comes to an end at the striking Italian Chapel, which was built by prisoners of war back in the 1940s. Day Eleven | Kirkwall Our tour ends today in Orkney and, from here, we make our journeys home. Please note that the order of the itinerary is subject to ferry availability and weather, therefore it may change.
Day Six | Maeshowe - Ring of Brodgar We drive to Maeshowe, a zenith in European prehistoric architecture. This chambered tomb has been a distinctive presence in the landscape for millennia. We continue to the Stones of Stenness, the earliest of the two megalithic stone circles in the area. Afterwards, we move on to the Ring of Brodgar. Day Seven | Midhowe - Taversoe Tuick Travel to the island of Rousay to explore Midhowe chambered tomb, sealed 4,500 years ago and containing the remains of 25 people. Next, it’s on to the much later Iron Age defensive structure of Midhowe Broch, which stands on the rocky foreshore of Rousay between two inlets, and consists of a circular tower with a thick exterior wall. Our day ends at the double chambered tomb of Taversoe Tuick. Day Eight | Kirkwall - Tankerness Museum Today we explore Orkney’s capital, Kirkwall. Highlights include St. Magnus Cathedral, Earl’s Palace and Bishop’s Palace, all of which provide a sobering reminder of Orkney’s turbulent past. This afternoon, we visit Tankerness Museum.
Broch of Gurness, Orkney
Guided by Dr Val Turner An expert in prehistoric and Viking field systems, Val has project-managed two major excavation projects: Old Scatness Broch and Viking Unst. She has also been Shetland’s Regional Archaeologist since the post was created in 1986. Val is also a member of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland.
Dates & prices per person Date
Twin/Dbl Share
SS
13th - 23rd Jul
£2,995
£195
Price Includes • • • • • • •
Mousa Broch, Shetland
Expert Guide Lecturer & Tour Manager All local transport Accommodation in Lerwick & Kirkwall 10 breakfasts, 9 lunches & 10 dinners Water with all meals, wine & tea or coffee with dinner Entries to all sites & museums All taxes & gratuities
Full tour details of this tour visit andantetravels.com/oas 01722 395442 | 23
LOOKING FURTHER AFIELD? EXPLORE FALCO’S ROME WITH LINDSEY DAVIS • Explore rarely visited sites including the Domus Aurea • Enjoy a series of evening lectures hosted by Lindsey herself • Tour Domitian’s Palace at Castel Gandolfo • Descend below ground to discover the Mithraeum under the Circus Maximus, opened by appointment only RETURNING IN 2020 | PRICES FROM £2,895 | 15th - 20th September
Contact our team today andantetravels.com | 01722 395442
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