To celebrate the 400th anniversary of the founding of America we will be
holding an International Reunion of the Helton/Hylton/Hilton families in
England and Scotland during
the first week in May in 2007.
Day 1- Tues May 1st 2007
HYLTON-HELTON-HILTON
FAMILY REUNION
Join the locals for a day of celebration at Hylton Castle,
ancestral home of the Hilton family, followed by a visit to St Peters Church
at Monkwearmouth, home of the Hylton monument. Visit the fascinating medieval city of
Durham ,
England. Stroll round Durham
Cathedral, now a World Heritage
site, and see Durham Castle, once home to the powerful Prince Bishops of
Durham. In the evening attend an evening Reception & Dinner followed by a Family History
& Heritage presentation in honor of the Helton/Hylton/Hilton
family "Barons of the Bishoprick" of Durham for more than 600 years
in North
East England" - Venue - Sunderland Museum and Winter Gardens
Day 2 - Wed. May 2nd 2007 -
A TALE OF TWO WASHINGTONS
A visit to
Washington
Old Hall, once home
of the Washington
family, ancestors of the First President of the United States of America.
Explore the maritime heritage and Viking origins of the Hilton family at Hartlepool Marina and St
Hildas church where the Hiltons were first recorded in 924 A.D. Visit the old Hilton family home at the Parsonage in the delightful English
village of Hurworth on the river Tees in the County of Durham. In the evening
we'll attend an Elizabethan Banquet at Lumley
Castle (subject to nos.)
Day 3 - Thurs. May 3rd 2007 -
NEW ENGLAND AND A LAND CALLED MARYLAND
Visit to Kiplin Hall, in North
Yorkshire home of Lord Baltimore, founder of Maryland in America in
1635, followed by a visit to Hilton Monastery in Hilton Village in
the county of Durham, joining in a party held by the local villagers in honor
of their long lost relatives. This will be followed by a guided tour of Raby
Castle, home of Henry Vane the Younger, first elected Governor of New
England in America in 1637 and a visit to Bowes
Museum at Barnard Castle.
Day 4 - Fri. May 4th 2007 -
IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF THE VIKINGS
To celebrate the discovery of America by the 
Vikings
in 1000 A.D. we'll be crossing the Pennine mountain range , and see where Eric
Bloodaxe, last of the Viking kings of Northumbria died. We'll move on to Hilton
Hall in Hilton Village in the county of Westmoreland, and visit nearby Appleby
Castle, home of George
Clifford, 3rd Earl of Cumberland, who sailed with 1700 men across the
Atlantic in 1598 and took Puerto Rico off the Spanish. We'll visit the
fascinating ancient city of Lancaster
before taking a cruise down the
Lune canal to Carnforth, once home of the Washingtons. In the evening we'll
visit Sunderland Point on the west coast and visit the remains of St
Patrick's Church.
Day 5 - Sat. May 5th 2007 - A VOYAGE OF DISCOVERY
We'll take a scenic voyage of discovery up the coastline of Cumbria to Millom
Castle home of the Huddlestons (Plymouth America 1623) and on to Muncaster
Castle home of the Pennington Family, two of whom were aboard the ship
"Discovery" to Jamestown in Virginia in 1607. We'll visit Whitehaven
where George Washington's grandmother lies buried and discover the links with
the Caribbean, the Rum Story and
tales of the slave trade. From there we'll move on to the pleasant town of Cockermouth
where Mary Queen of Scots was first imprisoned in England before visiting the
ancient border city of Carlisle.
Day 6 - Sun. May 6th 2007 - BRAVEHEART
& FREEDOM
We'll
take a trip into the heart of Scotland
visiting visit the Castle and Cathedral and of course, the
famous Golf Course at St
Andrews. Visit the Wallace
monument at Stirling and EdinburghCastle .
Exploring the fascinating history of the Knights Templar we'll visit Rosslyn
Chapel, featured in the "Da Vinci Code". In the evening we'll
sample some typical scottish hospitality as we sip our Famous Grouse Whisky.
www.thefamousgrouse.com
Day 7 - Mon May 8th 2007
- BATTLES ON THE BORDERS
A
journey along the rugged East Coast of Scotland to Dunbar Castle where the
Washington family were Earls of Dunbar. On to the fascinating walled town of
Berwick and the village of Lamberton overlooking Hilton Bay. We'll search The
Borders for
the ruins of Hilton Kirk (Church) before visiting Coldstream, ancient
home of the Washingtons and the Coldstream Guards learning about the battles
between England and Scotland as we go. The day will end back at Hylton
Castle for a flag raising ceremony and then we will get together for a special
dinner where we can socialize and discuss all that we have learned so far.
Day 8 - Tues. May 8th 2007 - TO A NEW WORLD
We'll take
the train on the route of the "Flying Scotman" to London,
where we'll visit the Tower
of
London, the Globe
theatre, and the Fishmongers
Guildhall. In the evening we'll see a show at a London
Theatre.
Day 9 - Wed. May 9th 2007 - 'TIL WE MEET AGAIN
We'll take a trip
Syon
House, on the banks of the River Thames, originally Syon (Sion) Priory, home of the 9th Earl of
Northumberland, the "Wizard Earl" who was "imprisoned" in
the Tower with Sir Walter Raleigh.
We'll move on to the nearby
charming English village of Billinghurst where Henry
Hilton, the
"Mad?" Baron lived, before returning to London for a farewell
dinner.
HILTON COUNTRY U.K. - WATCH THE VIDEO;
Travel
Arrangements
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