Hosted by Jean Moss and partner, Philip Mercer, this intimate two-centred tour will give you a unique taste of the best of the British knit scene. Every detail has been handpicked to create a really memorable and special experience for you.
Workshops and lectures from Jean and other top British designers
Yarn and textile-related people and places
Splendid independent hotels with delicious food and atmosphere
5 days each in two fabulous locations in city and countryside
Wonderful gardens and historic houses
Lots of activities and interest for non-knitters too
Music, dance and much more

A chance to take your knitting to greater heights amidst the awe-inspiring landscapes of the Lake District. Writers from Coleridge to Beatrix Potter have found inspiration in its tranquil waters and steep fells, grazed by the rare Herdwick sheep.

After lunch at Levens Hall with its Tudor topiary, settle in at Cragwood, a traditional country house hotel overlooking majestic Windermere. Morning workshops will be followed by visits to Wordsworth's house and garden at Rydal Mount, Crookabeck Angora & Herdwick Farm at Patterdale and The Wool Clip, a co-operative of fibre artists and farmers, so plenty of opportunities to stock up your stash! A cruise on Coniston Water in Victorian steam yacht, Gondola, to John Ruskin's Brantwood, will evoke memories of a bygone age. An afternoon to stock up your stash at Crookabeck Angora and Herdwick Farm at Patterdale. Evenings to solve your problems at a knitters' clinic, get inspired by stimulating lectures or strut your stuff at the show and share session.

Then on to York and, as with everything else, your hotel is hand-picked. The Churchill is a stylish Regency hotel, a few minutes from the imposing Minster and bustling market. En route we shall visit the Wensleydale Longwool Sheepshop in the Yorkshire Dales, where you can drool over the soft and lustrous yarn of this rare breed -more yarn therapy!

Debbie Abraham's workshop takes place in the beautiful and elegant setting of Newby Hall. Afterwards explore Newby Hall's famous double herbaceous border, sculpture trail and unforgettable 25 acres of garden delights, led by horticultural expert, Tulip Bemrose.

Other highlights include a tour around York Minster's beautiful textiles and gems from the Knitting & Crochet Guild's vintage knits collection. You are also invited to Open House at Jean Moss - an opportunity to browse Jean's collections, eat, drink, sing and be merry.

Lots of time for individual sightseeing. Explore the medieval walls and quaint snickelways, visit the Yorvik Viking Centre, Castle or National Railway Museum. Go shopping in the half-timbered Shambles, browse the city's many specialist bookshops, take afternoon tea at the world-famous Betty's Tearoom, attend evensong in gothic York Minster,enjoy a boat trip down the River Ouse or just follow your nose and take your knitting to one of the city's many excellent cafes. Of York George VI famously proclaimed the history of England is the history of York

Programme
Knitting Gardens Food

DAY 1
	am	Start at Manchester Airport 10.30 am Lunch and tour of Levens Hall house and gardens
	pm	Settle into Cragwood House Hotel, Windermere
	eve	Welcome reception
		Jean's Lecture: Passion for Pullovers
		Dinner at Cragwood
DAY 2
	am	Jean's workshop: More Colour Will Do The Trick
	pm	Head gardener Patrick's tour of Cragwood Gardens
	eve	Show & Share with Jean
		Dinner at Cragwood
DAY 3
	am	Grasmere and Wordsworth's house and garden at Rydal Mount
	pm	Wool Clip co-op of farmers and craft workers, Caldbeck
	eve	Jean's lecture: Colour in the Garden
		Dinner at Cragwood
DAY 4
	am	Guest Designer’s workshop
	pm	Crookabeck Angora & Herdwick Farmshop, Patterdale
	eve	Ruth Lee's lecture: Webs of Intrigue
		Dinner at Cragwood
DAY 5
	am	Jean's workshop
	pm	Cruise on Coniston Water in Steam Yacht Gondola to John Ruskin's Brantwood
		Dinner at Queen's Head, Hawkshead
DAY 6
	am	Travel from Cragwood to York, via Middleham and Wensleydale Longwool Sheepshop
	pm	Settle in The Churchill Hotel
		Dinner at The Churchill
DAY 7
	am	Leisurely walking tour of York including Textile tour of the Minster
	pm	Independent sight-seeing and shopping
	eve	Independent dining
DAY 8
	am	Debbie Abrahams’ workshop at Newby Hall
	pm	Tulip Bemrose's garden tour of Newby Hall
	eve	Knitting & Crochet Guild Vintage Collection
		Dinner at The Churchill
DAY 9
	am	Share & Solve with Debbie
	pm	Gems from the Knitting & Crochet Guild Vintage Collection
		Open House at Jean Moss
DAY 10
	am	Castle Howard House & Garden Tour
	pm	Independent sightseeing and shopping
	eve	Farewell dinner
DAY 11
	am	Coach back to Manchester Airport to connect with flights from 10.30am

Price
£1960 - (single supplement payable £250)
CURRENCY CONVERTER

5% discount if you book 150 days or more before departure.
10% discount for non-knitters.
Price includes all accommodation, breakfasts, seven dinners and one lunch, all travel within the UK, all workshops and lectures, admissions to gardens and museums, specialist garden guides and everything on the published itinerary (and usually more). Almost the only thing that is not included is your flights to and from the UK and travel insurance.

Partners' Programmes
We very much welcome non-knitters. There is a wealth of activities and attractions for people not wishing to attend the knitting sessions including: galleries and museums; hiking and biking; golf & water sports; ornithology; horse-riding; archaeology; narrow-gauge and steam railways; and, of course, many other wonderful gardens and historic houses.

WHAT MAKES OUR TOURS REALLY SPECIAL?
We have personally researched and sampled every bit of our tours
We have run our tours for eight years and have a reputation for excellence
We aim to create a house party feel about our trips
We base each tour only in two locations to allow you to settle in and feel at home
As well as good design and beauty we appreciate the quirky side of life
Where possible we love to get off the beaten track
Above all we want you to have a great time and a memorable knitting holiday

Click here to reserve a place, to get more information
email jmtours@dircon.co.uk or phone/fax +44 (0) 1904 646282