OUR HISTORY, ANCIENT ABBEYS CASTLES AND STATELY HOMES.

You will have opportunities to study and enjoy our history on  many of the excursions during your homestay. England is an ancient land  steeped in history, myth and legend. The North of England is home to some of the best historical sites in the country.  

BOLTON ABBEY

A splendid ruined 13th Century Priory set in the beautiful, tranquil countryside beside the famous River Wharfe. Bolton Abbey is extremely popular with tourists. Part of the old abbey is still used as a place of worship by local people. Feel free to stroll around the grounds and enjoy a leisurely picnic or perhaps visit the traditional tea shop for some afternoon tea. Look out as well for the ghostly monks!

BURNLEY AND TOWNLEY HALL

A typical North West English town. Burnley as a town came into existence during England's industrial revolution in the 19th century and contains many historical sites from that period. including a working cotton mill.

Townley Hall, with its fine art collections and traditional gardens. Within the hall, much of which dates back to the 17^th century, there are reconstructions of rooms as they were in the past. Around the hall are woodland walks and nature reserves for you to wander through.

STONYHURST COLLEGE

The earliest parts of this famous college date from the 13th century and has been added to from that date. First Stonyhurst was a grand Stately Home. In 1794 the house was given to the Jesuit English College at Liege in France who needed a new home. In 1850 a large church was added and during the 1880s the college was greatly enlarged and became one of the most important religious schools in the country.

J.R.R. Tolkien who wrote the epic "The Lord of the Rings" now a blockbuster film regularly stayed at Stonyhurst where his son was studying to be a priest. During his time at Stonyhurst he wrote much of The Lord of the Rings and many of the locations close by may have provided inspiration for places featured in the book. 

FOUNTAINS ABBEY, ANCIENT ENGLISH MONASTERY AND GARDENS.

One of the most outstanding monastic ruins in Europe. Now a World Heritage Site. The land around the ruin was later landscaped to create Studley Royal a stunning traditional English water garden.

At Fountains Abbey you can explore the spectacular ruins of one of the most complete Cistercian abbeys in Britain, and discover for yourself the life of a medieval English monk.

Enjoy wandering from the Abbey into the 650 acres of the Studley Royal's woodland, deer park and ornamental gardens. Stroll beside elegant ornamental lakes, canals, temples and cascades created in Georgian times 200 years ago.

MIDDLEHAM CASTLE

A fine example of a medieval castle and a home of Richard the Third of Shakespeare fame. Below the castle is the old town of Middleham with twisting streets and old world charm. The area today is important for the training of race horses.