Festive Stitching and York Christmas Markets

Make your way to the historic city of York to meet expert Janet Goddard and your Tour Manager at the Hilton York Hotel. This afternoon’s walking tour of York will begin at 2:30pm.

During our guided tour, you will be able to see and hear about York Minster, one of the world's most magnificent cathedrals! We also walk along the ancient city walls and learn about York's fascinating Roman, Viking and medieval heritage.

This evening join, Janet, your Tour Manager and fellow guests for dinner in the hotel.

After breakfast, enjoy a full-day workshop in the hotel with Janet and begin working on your projects.

We begin the day at the Quilters' Guild Museum, where one of the curators guides us through highlights from its historic collection. The exhibits showcase a fascinating variety of quilting styles, techniques and traditions from across the centuries, offering real insight into how this enduring craft has evolved. From well-preserved historic quilts to intricate examples of needlework, there's inspiration here for quilters and textile enthusiasts alike.

The afternoon is at leisure for independent shopping and sightseeing in the heart of York. You might like to take afternoon tea at Betty's Tea Room, lose yourself in the medieval lanes of the Shambles, one of Europe's best-preserved historic streets, or explore the city's wealth of independent boutiques, galleries and museums.

The York Christmas Market runs during our stay and is within walking distance of the hotel, so you can visit independently throughout the week. It's open from 10:30am until 7:00pm.

Today, spend a second full day with Janet working on your projects.

This evening, dinner is included in the hotel.

This morning we visit York Castle Museum to explore its outstanding collection of more than 100 historic quilts, spanning almost 300 years of quiltmaking. These textiles tell the stories of the people who made them – from practical pieces stitched together from treasured fabric scraps for everyday use, to elaborate examples created to mark royal celebrations or raise funds at community bazaars. The collection also features finely crafted work by professional makers, and by members of the quilt clubs that flourished in the mining communities of northern England throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries.

Afterwards we return to the hotel, where you can depart at your leisure.