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£60.00 Adult from

Alnwick Castle (Hogwarts) & Northumberland Coast – Day Tour

Embark on an enchanting Alnwick Castle and Northumberland Day Tour from Edinburgh. Journey through a landscape rich in history, folklore, and cinematic magic. This unforgettable full-day adventure, departing from Scotland’s vibrant capital, promises an immersive experience exploring the captivating borderlands between Scotland and England.

Kelso Abbey

Your tour begins heading south from Edinburgh, delving into the picturesque Scottish Borders. This region, famed for its rolling hills and ancient conflicts, sets a dramatic scene for the day ahead. You’ll pause in Kelso, a handsome market town boasting what’s believed to be Scotland’s largest market square. Here, explore the charming town centre and discover the evocative ruins of Kelso Abbey, a stark reminder of the tumultuous past between these two nations. It’s a place where history whispers from every stone.

Alnwick Castle

Crossing the border into England, your journey continues to the magnificent Alnwick Castle, the highlight of your day. This immense fortification, standing strong for nearly a millennium, is the ancestral home of the Duke of Northumberland and has been continuously inhabited by the Percy family for over 700 years. Step into a world of fantasy and grandeur as you explore the castle, instantly recognizable as Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry from the beloved Harry Potter film series. Imagine broomstick training sessions on the Outer Bailey or strolling through its opulent interiors.

Fans of Downton Abbey will also recognize the castle, which famously portrayed Brancaster Castle. Your tour includes admission, allowing ample time to delve into its lavishly decorated rooms, impressive art collections, and extensive grounds. Don’t miss the chance to browse Barter Books nearby, one of Britain’s largest second-hand bookstores, a haven for literary enthusiasts.

Northumberland Coast

After soaking in the magic of Alnwick, the tour embraces the stunning Northumberland Coast. Revel in the dramatic scenery, rugged beauty, and captivating views as you travel along this picturesque coastline. This area, often referred to as the ‘Viking Coast’, offers breathtaking vistas before you turn back towards Scotland.

The return journey takes you back through the scenic Scottish Borders, reflecting on a day filled with incredible sights and stories. This Alnwick Castle tour from Edinburgh is ideal for history buffs, Harry Potter fans, and anyone eager to discover the unique blend of natural beauty and historical significance that defines this Anglo-Scottish border region. Book your unforgettable day trip today and create lasting memories.

Prices

£60.00 Adult from

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Tour Highlights

Step into the magical world of Alnwick Castle, famously known as Harry Potter's Hogwarts.
Journey through the historic Scottish Borders, absorbing tales of ancient conflicts and heroes.
Explore the charming market town of Kelso and its evocative Abbey ruins.
Marvel at the dramatic beauty of the Northumberland Coastline.
Discover the rich history of Alnwick Castle, ancestral home to the Dukes of Northumberland.
Enjoy comfortable travel in a luxury 16-seat mini-coach with an expert local guide.

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Tour Schedule

Morning: Edinburgh to the Scottish Borders, Kelso

Departing Edinburgh, you’ll journey south into the captivating Scottish Borders. This picturesque region, a tapestry of rolling hills and ancient abbeys, embraces a rich history and vibrant culture. Though serene today, it’s a land that whispers tales of centuries of conflicts and border skirmishes. Your first stop is Kelso, a handsome market town where you’ll explore what’s thought to be Scotland’s largest market square. You’ll also discover the evocative ruins of Kelso Abbey, a powerful reminder of the many ancient conflicts between Scotland and England.

Mid-Morning: Scottish Borders to Northumberland, England

Continuing south, you’ll cross the border into Northumberland, an English county renowned for its dramatic coastlines, historic towns, lush countryside, and ancient castles. This distinctive region has been shaped by various groups from ancient times through the Middle Ages, each leaving their mark on its unique cultural and political tapestry.

Afternoon: Free Time and Lunch in Alnwick, plus Coastal Beauty

The afternoon brings you to the enchanting town of Alnwick. You’ll have free time to wander its cobbled streets, soaking in the echoes of the past, sampling local specialties, or exploring the vast treasures of Barter Books, one of the UK’s largest second-hand bookstores. You might also choose to visit Alnwick Castle, the ancestral home of the Duke of Northumberland. This imposing stronghold captivates with opulent interiors filled with antique furniture and exquisite works of art. As you explore, you may even recognize the castle as a stand-in for Hogwarts in the Harry Potter films! Afterward, we’ll continue our journey along the stunning Northumberland Coast, making some scenic photo stops to capture its rugged beauty.

Early Evening: Northumberland to Edinburgh

Finally, say goodbye to England as we return to Scotland, traveling through the picturesque Scottish Borders and into East Lothian. We’ll make a brief stop in Dunbar, a charming coastal town and the birthplace of John Muir, the renowned naturalist. After a quick explore, we’ll resume our journey, bringing you back to Edinburgh.

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Your Tour Includes:

Travel in a comfortable, 16-seat luxury mini-coach
An expert local guide (English-speaking)
30lb (14kg) luggage allowance per person
Visits to unique, off-the-beaten-track locations

Optional Extras:

Alnwick Castle & Garden Entry: Gain full entry to explore this magnificent castle and its beautiful gardens.

Does Not Include:

Flights and airport transfers
Food and drinks

Starting Your Tour

Departure Point: Gate J and Gate K, Edinburgh Bus Station, St Andrew Square, Edinburgh, EH1 3DQ

Boarding:

Starts: 8:30AM
Closes: 8:45 AM (prompt)

Returning to Edinburgh

Approximate Return Time: 6:15 PM Drop-off Location: Edinburgh Bus Station Drop Off, George Street / St. Andrew Square area (within 5 minutes of Edinburgh Bus Station), Edinburgh

Your driver-guide will confirm a more precise return time on the final day of your tour.

Luggage Allowance

Each passenger can bring one piece of checked luggage and one small carry-on bag.

Your checked luggage will be stored in the luggage compartment and won’t be accessible until drop-off. Smaller bags for personal items like medication or water may be taken on board with you.

Here are the details for your luggage:

Checked Luggage

Number of items: 1
Max weight: 30lb (14kg)
Max dimensions: 22in x 17in x 10in (56cm x 43cm x 25cm)

Carry-on for Personal Items

Number of items: 1
Max weight: 10lb (4.5kg)
Max dimensions: 12in x 10in x 4in (30cm x 25cm x 10cm)

FAQS

Tour Attractions

You can conveniently book admission to certain attractions before your tour departs. These prices are separate from the tour cost and can be added during checkout. Please note that some attractions are only available for purchase while on tour.

Children

We regret we do not carry children under the age of 5 years old on our scheduled tours.

If your child is less that 1.35m tall, you should let us know and we will provide a suitable booster seat.

Luggage

You’re restricted to 14kg (30lbs) or 20kg (44lbs) of luggage per person, depending on the tour. This should be one piece of luggage similar to an airline carry-on bag (approximately 55cm x 45cm x 25cm / 22in x 17in x 10in) plus one small bag for onboard personal items.

Do you offer hotel pickups in the departure cities?

The UK and Ireland’s historic city centres are full of narrow streets and winding roads. So, to speed up your departure, we only pick up from our central meeting points. What’s more is leaving the city using the most direct route also reduces the carbon footprint of our tours.

Is there parking close to the departure point?

We don’t recommend bringing your car into the centre of our departure cities. It can be hard to find parking, and there are excellent public transportation services.

When should I get to the departure point?

Arrive 15 minutes before your departure time. Due to waiting restrictions, we can’t wait for you if you’re late.

What happens if I’m late or miss the tour?

If you’re late for your tour, our cancellation policy applies. 100% charges are applicable, and you will not be entitled to a refund or alternative.

What are your cancellation policies?

Your cancellation terms depend on which tour you’ve booked.

For tours of between two and nine days: You’ll receive a 90% refund if you cancel 15 or more days before the tour departure

Are there toilets on the bus?

Unfortunately, we have no on-board toilet facilities, but you’ll have regular comfort breaks.

How do you cater for people with accessibility needs?

We aim to accommodate everyone. To read more information on how we do this, click here to go to our accessibility guide.

How much time do I get off the bus?

We want you to enjoy Britain and Ireland. And we believe the best way to do this is to get you off the mini-coach and out exploring. So, we give you plenty of time to take photos, go walking, and explore ancient ruins.

Why do you exclude visitor attractions?

We exclude visitor attractions in your tour price because it lets you travel your way. It means you can pamper yourself with a luxury lunch or skip an attraction whenever you feel like it.

Do we need to bring our own lunch?

You don’t need to. We stop in small towns, villages, and rural eateries where you can choose whatever meal pleases both your taste buds and your budget.

Should I tip the driver-guide?

Let’s be honest, our driver-guides would never refuse a cheeky bonus. But it’s up to you, and the amount is entirely at your discretion.

What about travel insurance?

We advise you take out travel insurance.

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Why stop there?

The ever-increasing demand and availability for well-organised, safe and reliable trips means that we now go further afield, so while we love taking people on tours of England, Ireland and Scotland we are pleased to offer that little bit more with river tours of Amsterdam, coach tours of Paris and train trips to the chocolate capital of the world, Brussels!

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Our Most Popular Essentials

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Sports Tickets

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Christmas Tours

New Years Eve

There are so many and we cater for everyone so it may be a case of a leisurely Out of London trip to Stonehenge or you may want the buzz and excitement of a theatre tour of London – all the glitz and glamour is there. Out of London, we offer all sorts of adventures: Roman Baths, Shakespeare country, the Royal Pavilion, Brighton – you name it. Same with London – we don’t just do the round London tours – we can take you to Kew Gardens or we can take you on an expedition on the roof of the O2 Dome to the platform at the top offering spectacular views.

So we offer Out of London, Around London, Theatre and Hotels and then there are the spectacular Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day tours – what a way to celebrate the fun season.