The English Lake District and the Borders: Romance to Turbulence

After you enroll, we’ll ask you to provide or update your personal information and preferences, which includes your health information, lodging and meal preferences for your program.

A passport is required for this program. It must be valid for at least 6 months after your return date.

This information about travel documents pertains to participants holding U.S. passports. Non-U.S. citizens should refer to their country's requirements to ensure they have the necessary documentation for travel.

United Kingdom

• Your passport must have 1 blank passport page(s) for entry/exit visas in this country.

• A travel visa is required and it must be obtained in advance.

• The cost of this visa is not included in the cost of your trip.

• Your visa can be secured electronically. You may use the services of our designated visa service, Passport Visa Express, please see details on the process and the price at Passport Visa Express. If you prefer you may secure your electronic visa on your own, see the notes below for details.

Please note: American & Canadian passport holders traveling to or through the United Kingdom will need authorization via the UK Government's Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) Visa. The application is available online and via the UK ETA App at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-an-electronic-travel-authorisation-eta#apply-for-an-eta. You will need your passport information to complete the form. Once received, the application is expected to be processed within three business days. Once you have received confirmation, it will be valid for two years or until your passport expires (whichever occurs first). You must apply before entering the UK.

If Road Scholar is arranging your air travel to and from the program, and you travel on the scheduled start and end dates, you’ll receive free round-trip transfers from the airport to the hotel.

Arrival day is on September 1, 2026

Meet the group at White Swan Alnwick in Alnwick

Start of Trip:  Lunch at hotel for those arriving in time; 5:00 p.m. Orientation and Welcome Reception; 6:30 p.m. Welcome Dinner.

Getting to the site: Transfers from Clayton Hotel Manchester Airport to the first program hotel on group arrival day are included for all participants, including those who have not booked air travel through Road Scholar. Transfers are provided on group arrival day, day 2 of your program itinerary. The meeting point is the Clayton Hotel Manchester Airport, there will be a choice of 2 group transfers to the first program hotel in Alnwick. Transfers are included for all participants, including those who have not booked air travel through Road Scholar. FOR THOSE WHO HAVE BOOKED AIR TRAVEL WITH ROAD SCHOLAR: A space on the group transfer will be automatically reserved for you closest to the time of your arrival flight. FOR PROGRAM ONLY PARTICIPANTS & EARLY ARRIVALS: Due to the length of the ARRIVAL transfer on this program, it is an exception to Road Scholar’s transfer policy. If you are arriving early or have made your own air arrangements there is a possibility to reserve a seat on the transfer listed below. Spaces on these transfers are strictly on a request basis. Please reach out to rsukprograms@roadscholar.org with your flight information and request a seat on your preferred transfer. If we do not hear from you we will have to presume you will be travelling to the first program hotel in Alnwick directly. Transfers will depart as follows: Clayton Hotel Manchester Airport Outwood Lane Manchester M90 4HL Transfer 1: 11:30AM Transfer 2: 2:00PM If you arrive outside of the transfer times listed, you will need to make your own transfer arrangements to the program. Directions on how to do this can be found below. Please note that if you miss the group transfer for any reason, you will be responsible for making your own way to the first hotel and will not be refunded. Train journeys to Northumberland involve various trains and buses and can take up to 5 - 6 hours and is not recommended.

Getting to the site by train or bus: Trains available. For more information, visit nationalrail.co.uk.

Your trip ends on: Sunday, September 13, 2026 in Manchester at Clayton Hotel Manchester Airport

End of Trip: 10:00 a.m. after breakfast; 11:00 a.m. hotel check-out.

Getting to the airport: The hotel operates a free shuttle bus to all 3 terminals and the rail station. This service runs 24 hours.

Information if you are purchasing your own airfare: Transfers are provided on group arrival day, day 2 of your program itinerary. The meeting point is the Clayton Hotel Manchester Airport, there will be a choice of 2 group transfers to the first program hotel in Alnwick. Transfers are included for all participants, including those who have not booked air travel through Road Scholar. FOR THOSE WHO HAVE BOOKED AIR TRAVEL WITH ROAD SCHOLAR: A space on the group transfer will be automatically reserved for you closest to the time of your arrival flight. FOR PROGRAM ONLY PARTICIPANTS & EARLY ARRIVALS: Due to the length of the ARRIVAL transfer on this program, it is an exception to Road Scholar’s transfer policy. If you are arriving early or have made your own air arrangements there is a possibility to reserve a seat on the transfer listed below. Spaces on these transfers are strictly on a request basis. Please reach out to rsukprograms@roadscholar.org with your flight information and request a seat on your preferred transfer. If we do not hear from you we will have to presume you will be travelling to the first program hotel in Alnwick directly. Transfers will depart as follows: Clayton Hotel Manchester Airport Outwood Lane Manchester M90 4HL Transfer 1: 11:30AM Transfer 2: 2:00PM If you arrive outside of the transfer times listed, you will need to make your own transfer arrangements to the program. Directions on how to do this can be found below. Please note that if you miss the group transfer for any reason, you will be responsible for making your own way to the first hotel and will not be refunded. Train journeys to Alnwick involve various trains and buses and can take up to 5 - 6 hours and is not recommended.