Bond-inspired Itinerary - Northern England
From exploring cityscapes to spying expanses of glorious countryside, visitors can mix adventure and luxury in northern England for a taste of the 007 lifestyle. They can be a secret agent, indulging in lavish restaurants and taking in enthralling experiences. Discover what two heritage cities in northern England have to offer for fans of Bond, James Bond…
DAY 1
10.00 Explore Manchester
Visitors can start this northern exploration in Manchester, a city renowned as being the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution. Here, they’ll discover the exemplary neo-gothic architecture of the John Rylands Library before hunting for secret style highlights in the Northern Quarter, an eclectic mix of vintage shops and cafes, and heading to Exchange Square for fashion and couture. From designer brands to high street regulars, they can start the day by perfecting their own signature secret agent look.
John Ryland’s Library is free to access.
12.30 Enjoy lunch at The Refuge by Volta
Afterwards, visitors can tuck into lunch amid the glamourous surroundings of The Refuge by Volta while sampling a menu of small plates and sharing dishes featuring flavours from all over the world. Set in 10,000 square feet of breathtaking space at the restored former Palace Hotel, there’s also a set of introductory menus if they are unable to decide between dishes!
Or sit down for brunch at Cottonopolis
Based in the glorious surroundings of a Grade II listed building in the heart of the city’s bustling Northern Quarter, Japanese-inspired Cottonopolis offers a brunch to remember. Inspired by the city’s past as a centre for cotton production, the restaurant houses an open kitchen and features a polished menu with a host of gluten free and vegan options.
14.00 Uncover the secrets of science and innovation
Visitors can discover a world of innovation and ideas at Manchester’s Science and Industry Museum. As the world’s first industrial city, visitors can learn how industry has transformed the way people live today. Detailing more than 250 years of discoveries and inventions, the museum showcases how Manchester is a city where people, ideas and goods come and go.
Entry to the Science and Industry Museum is free. Some temporary exhibitions are ticketed and have an entry fee.
15.30 Embark on a Spy Mission Treasure Trail
Visitors can solve clues and crack the code like a top secret agent, as they explore the city’s rich historical past on the Manchester Spy Mission Treasure Trail. Setting off from the Museum of Science and Industry, they’ll learn about Castlefield and the Manchester canal area on this self-guided tour while solving clues hidden on statues, historical monuments and in other quirky places.
Trail booklets can be purchased to download for £9.99.
19.00 Dine in the luxurious surroundings of The French
Food fans can finish the day in the lavish Grade II listed dining room of The French, with food from Manchester’s own star chef Adam Reid. Fusing delicious modern cooking with northern influences, guests can pick from a range of menus with multiple courses that feature only the best local ingredients.
DAY 2
9.30 Go off-roading in Yorkshire with Jaguar Land Rover
Fans of the open road can start day two with a trip to Skipton for the ultimate off-road experience with Jaguar Land Rover. Nestled within the grounds of the stunning Broughton Hall Estate is Yellison Farm Barns, home to a state-of-the-art driving centre where visitors can develop their driving skills and test the capabilities of the Land Rover. They can tackle obstacle handling, assess an array of environments and take on inclines, descents and streams on an exciting half-day driving experience – manoeuvres that wouldn’t look out of place on the set of Bond!
Half-day experiences cost £225 per person, with full day experiences priced at £325 per person. Introductory one-hour taster sessions are also available for £99 per person.
13.00 Relish Roots for lunch
Next, visitors can venture to York for the afternoon and stop off for lunch in the heart of the city. Tommy Banks’ Roots uses produce that is grown and foraged on the family farm in Oldstead, delivering refined tastes and an abundance of delectable dishes that change with the seasons. The restaurant’s evolving menu of sharing plates is complemented by its smart artisan interior, providing an idyllic setting for a quick bite or a more lavish lunch.
14.00 Discover the hidden highlights of York
Afterwards, they can spend the afternoon experiencing the narrow cobbled streets and shopping precincts of York. They can wander among the historic wooden buildings of The Shambles, York’s famed shopping street packed with quirky boutiques selling an array of luxury goods, before discovering Britain’s rail heritage at the National Railway Museum – a journey into luxury travel and iconic engineering.
The National Railway Museum is free to access.
17.00 Craft cocktails with a Botanist masterclass
With botanicals from all over the world, cocktail masterclasses at the Botanist give visitors the chance to explore some of the finest herbal ingredients and to learn more about drink creation. An adventure in cocktail experimentation, each class is hosted by an expert botanist who encourages visitors to get creative when developing their signature concoctions.
Cocktail masterclasses cost from £24.95 per person.
19.00 Enjoy dinner at The Rise
Offering an immersive dining experience and a menu chock-full of modern British cuisine with a Yorkshire twist, The Rise Restaurant, Terrace and Bar’s spacious setting is just the spot for winding down at the end of the day. Visitors can expect seasonal and ethically sourced ingredients, alongside an array of local beers, ales, hand-selected wines and signature cocktails in a setting that gives a nod to York’s rich heritage.
21.00 Retire to The 1906 Bar
Wannabe secret agents can finish the day with a classic or signature cocktail in the intimate surroundings of The 1906 Bar, part of The Grand, York. Originally built for some of Edwardian England’s most powerful railway businesses, the luxurious setting has a huge selection of premium spirits and whiskeys, as well as a cocktail menu featuring one of Bond’s signature tipples, the martini.