Alnwick Castle, Holy Island and Scottish Borders - 1 day tour

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Tour Summary

Alnwick Castle, Holy Island and Scottish Borders
One day tour

Combine Harry Potter magic with the turbulent history of the Scottish borders on this magical tour from Edinburgh. Explore the sacred Holy Island and visit ancient Lindisfarne Priory. Travel through Northumberland to Alnwick, where you can visit the magnificent castle, a filming location for Harry Potter and Downton Abbey. Explore Alnwick’s grand rooms, then admire the delightful town of Coldstream, which sits on the England-Scotland border.

Scottish Borders - enjoy a scenic drive through breathtaking landscapes and quaint villages

Holy Island - visit this mysterious tidal island that boasts an ancient priory and historic castle

Alnwick - stroll the cobbled streets of this colourful market town

Alnwick Castle - explore this magnificent castle brimming with drama, history and intrigue

Bamburgh - learn the story of this towering fortress standing guard over the Northumberland coast

Coldstream - discover the historic town that gave its name to a famous army regiment

Movie locations - Harry Potter, Downton Abbey and The Last Kingdom

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Full Tour Itinerary

Departing from Edinburgh’s medieval Royal Mile, we journey south through the scenic hills of the Scottish Borders. As we travel, your guide will share stories of the notorious Border Reivers, who pillaged villages and rustled cattle for centuries. They were loyal to neither Scotland nor England.

Sir Walter Scott, one of Scotland’s most significant literary figures, fell in love with this landscape and made it his home.

Crossing into England, we arrive at the mystical Holy Island on the Northumberland coast. This tiny isle, surrounded by the shifting tides of the North Sea, is rich in ancient wonders and spiritual significance. Explore the ruins of Lindisfarne Priory, where St Cuthbert was bishop from 685 to 687. His fame, thanks to the stories of Ango-Saxon writers, made him one of Britain’s most admired saints before the Reformation.

Next, we visit Alnwick Castle, an extra-special destination for Harry Potter fans. You’ll have ample time to explore the grand corridors, halls, and courtyards where scenes from “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone” were filmed. Join a Broomstick Training session or simply soak in the medieval charm of this Grade 1 listed building, still home to the Duke and Duchess of Northumberland.

For those less inclined to magic, the stunning Alnwick Gardens offer a peaceful retreat, or you can explore the town, the location of Britain’s largest second-hand bookstore.

Later, we head north along the rugged Viking Coast, stopping at the picturesque village of Bamburgh. Here, enjoy breathtaking views of the imposing Bamburgh Castle overlooking the bay, and perhaps indulge in some local ice cream as you stroll along the beach. We return to Edinburgh, arriving around 18:30 hrs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What can I expect on this Signature Day Tour?

Travelling on a Signature one-day tour is a great way to discover the best of Scotland from your city centre base of Edinburgh, Glasgow or Inverness.

During your day of discovery we’ll introduce you to many aspects of our country: spectacular scenery, history, folklore, nature and much, much more.

Luxury travel is provided by air-conditioned mini or midi coaches and each tour is led by an experienced driver/guide who will provide a live commentary in English.

There are stops planned at the key sights as well as for meals and comfort breaks.

What are the optional extras on this tour and how much do they cost?

The tour fare includes transportation by luxury mini or midicoach and the services of a professional driver/guide. Admission to the attractions featured on this tour is optional so you can choose to visit or not depending on your interests. The tour itinerary will allow time for you to enjoy visits to:

Alnwick Castle and Gardens
Lindisfarne Priory

The links above will give you more information on these attractions as well as current prices. On some tours discounted prices are available to tour passengers - your driver/guide will provide more information if this applies. Not all attractions accept payment by credit or debit card so you should carry sufficient cash should you be planning a visit.