England May 2007

Itinerary

Reunion –

Reception and Family History Presentation

Your chance to meet long lost cousins and Hylton,Hilton,Helton family members from around the world who can trace their roots back to Hylton Castle, Monkwearmouth, England . An informal reception followed by a multi media presentation of “The Hyltons of Hylton Castle". Your chance to learn about the true history of the Hylton,Hilton,Helton family and the amazing part they played in founding early America.

See; History of the Heltons/Hyltons/Hiltons

A Day to Remember –

Visit Washington Old Hall, only 3 miles from Hylton Castle and the ancestral home of the Washington Family, ancestors of George Washington, First President of the United States of America

The Washington coat of arms, comprising of 3 stars & two stripes is thought is thought to have inspired the choice of the American flag, the “Stars and Stripes”

A visit to Hylton Castle - your chance to follow in your ancestor's footsteps. A guided tour of the Castle and an explanation of the fascinating heraldry carved in stone on the front of the castle walls. Your chance to visit the ruins of St Katherine's chapel, next to the castle where many of the Barons of Hylton are thought to lie buried. Time to reflect on marvellous achievements of this proud family whilst enjoying a stroll through the two hundred acres of inner city parkland that still surrounds the castle, now a wildlife protected site, which is a legacy to the people of Hylton from the Barons of long ago.

In the evening, to celebrate this unique event, we'll be holding an Elizabethan Banquet in honour of the descendents of the Barons of Hylton Castle at nearby Lumley Castle

Enjoy a feast of fine food, wine, mead and entertainment in this magnificent 14th Century Castle. Live like Lords and Ladies. A world of gallant Knights, gracious ladies, feasting and merriment. Enjoy period singing and good humour presented by the Court Chamberlain, Musicians and Ladies of the Court, all in traditional costume, whilst feasting yourself on succulent food, wine and mead.

May 2007

River of Destiny -

Follow in the footsteps of the early Hyltons along the River Wear, taking in St Peter's Church, founded in 674 A.D. which contains a monument to Baron Hylton who built the castle. Follow in their footsteps to Chester-le-Street where the monks of St Cuthbert lived for 100 years, before they moved to Durham where they built the magnificent Cathedral, now a World Heritage Site. As Barons of the Bishoprick, it was the Hyltons responsibility to protect the church from attack. Along the way we’ll visit Penshaw Monument, built to commemorate the life of John George Lambton, Ist Earl of Durham who became the first Governor General of Canada, ,

Lunch in the Baronial Hall of Horsley Hall, the hidden country home of a branch the Hylton family in the 17th century, used to hide the Royalists, followed by a visit to Auckland Castle, home of the powerful Prince Bishops of Durham and on to see the Hylton Coat of Arms in Durham Cathedral, now a World Heritage Site.

In the evening, it's a chance to "Meet the Locals" for a meal in the the only pub in England, with the Hylton Coat of Arms, carved in stone above the front door - "The Golden Lion" at South Hylton riverside, on the site of what was once one of the taverns of the Hylton Pirates of the Caribbean at the Hylton Ferry.

Coach back to hotels.

Discovery Tour

Following in the footsteps of the the Hylton/Helton/Hilton Family, our tour takes in South Shields and Tynemouth Priory and Castle, where Sir Thomas Hylton was Governor and where George Percy, brother of the 9th Earl of Northumberland learnt his seafaring skills that would take him to Jamestown on the "Discovery" in 1607. Our tour follows the fascinating story of the men who planned the first voyage of "Discovery" to Virginia in America, and motivated the Hyltons to follow. Find out who they were, where they were born, and how they lived. Discover what motivated them to risk everything for a new life in a New World.

Our tour follows the path of the Roman wall built by the Emperor Hadrian, to the West Coast and the Lake district, where William Washington married into the Helton family, Lords of Helton Manor, a cadet branch of the early Hyltons of Hylton Castle, who would later inherit Washington Old Hall. The early involvement of both the Hyltons and the Washingtons in early America led to the founding of Whitehaven as Britain's third largest port, and where George Washington's grandmother lies buried.

A visit to Muncaster Castle, which boasts one of the best views in England and is set in superb gardens. It was the home of John Pennington who was also on the "Discovery" to Jamestown in 1607 and who later became Admiral of the Narrow Seas. Return to Hotel

Our journey takes us to Carlisle and the borders;

See; Union of the Crowns

Names of the Borders

Our journey takes us to Coldstream on the Scottish side of the river Tweed, once home to the father the first "Wessyngton" and ancestor of George Washington. It was from here that George Monck marched his troops down to London to restore the monarchy and put Charles II on the throne in 1660. Coldstream is the home of the Coldstream Guards, now the Queen's personal bodyguard.

Further downstream, and still in Scotland we'll visit the ruins of the church at Hilton Village, Berwickshire then on to the village of Lamberton, overlooking Hilton Bay on the North Sea. From there we'll cross the border back into England and visit the fascinating walled city of Berwick, which changed hands between the Scots and the English 13 times between 1147 and 1482.

Moving north we'll see the ruins of Coldstream Priory

th –Til we meet Again - A Farewell banquet will be held at lunchtime - at Lumley Castle

Venues See;

Washington Old Hall See; http://www.geocities.com/wor_lass/

Lumley Castle www.lumleycastle.com/

Durham Cathedral http://www.durhamcathedral.co.uk/

Auckland Castle http://www.auckland-castle.co.uk/

Sizergh Castle http://www.cumbrialakedistrict.com/sizergh.htm

Whitehaven http://www.visitcumbria.com/wc/whaven.htm

Muncaster Castle www.Muncaster.co.uk

Washington’s Castle http://www.s-h-systems.co.uk/hotels/cavecast.html

The number of places on this reunion is strictly limited, and are available on a first come, first served basis. To make a provisional reservation BOOK HERE NOW!.

Full prices and a detailed itinerary will be advised, and all provisional reservations must be confirmed by 31st December 2006.

Read the reviews on the last Helton/Hylton/Hilton reunion held in 2001 HERE!

Links; Helton/Hylton/Hilton of Hylton Castle - Family History

Helton/Hylton/Hilton Family History Society

The Helton/Hylton/Hiltons of Hylton Castle - The Book

Organised by the Helton/Hylton/Hilton Family History Society.

Last updated 2/11/03