ALNWICK CASTLE & VIKING COAST PRIVATE TOUR FROM EDINBURGH

Alnwick Castle & Viking Coast private tour from Edinburgh2023-02-23T21:40:02+00:00

Hop across the English border and discover Northumberland’s varied history on this full-day private tour from Edinburgh. Follow the causeway to Holy Island to learn about ancient Christian crusaders and notorious Viking invasions.

Head back to the mainland and continue to Alnwick Castle, a medieval stronghold and stately home in-one, with a claim to fame as a filming location for Harry Potter and Downton Abbey.

Each private tour is conducted in our premium Mercedes minivans, ensuring your comfort as we venture along the narrow back roads of Scotland.

Your knowledgable kilt-wearing private tour guide will tell you the stories and show you the sights on this tour. We offer flexibility and your time inside and outside the vehicle is up to you.

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Tour duration
1 day (9am – 5pm)

Book direct for the best rate
You won’t find a better rate for our tours

We pick you up
We’ll collect & return you from your Edinburgh hotel, cruise port or airport

Instant confirmation
Receipt for your booking immediately

Inclusions:

Exclusions:

  • Lunch (we can recommend a place)
  • Entrance into attractions & sites
  • Gratuities (optional)
KEY SIGHTS ON THIS TOUR…

Alnwick Castle

The home to the Dukes of Northumberland and famously used as the location for Hogwarts School in Harry Potter, Alnwick Castle is a fantastic place to visit. One of Europe’s finest Castle homes, Alnwick looks is a 14th century medieval fortress on the outside disguising a grand stately home on the inside with Italianate staterooms, extensive library and chapel, all of which can be explored.

The castle stands within a grass Bailey surrounded by the Ramparts and towers. The 15th century Barbican entrance offered strong defence from invading military and a tour through the Knight’s Quest arena and Dragon Quest experience is not to be missed.

Next door to the castle is the world-renowned Alnwick Garden, several acres of beautiful parks, 120-jet fountain, the world’s largest treehouse, woodland walks and the Poison Garden.

Alnwick has strong connections to Scottish and English history that can be discovered on tour here. Typically we spend around 2 hours at Alnwick Castle.

Lindisfarne Castle

Approaching Lindisfarne we first have to cross a dramatic, tidal causeway that is underwater during high tide.

Lindisfarne Castle is much more recent, having originally been constructed around 1550 and home to a garrison of soldiers, providing defence to a potential attack on the English coast from sea.

In 1903 Edward Hudson commissioned extensive changes to the castle in 1903 when he and architect Lutyens renovated the castle into an Edwardian family home. Lindisfarne Castle underwent a significant renovation between 2015 and 2019 and many of the original features have been lovingly restored by the National Trust.

Lindisfarne Priory

Lindisfarne has been an important religious site since Christian missionaries arrived around 520AD and is often referred to as ‘Holy Island’. The Priory was built nearly 1,400 years ago in 635 and is situated within the wild coastal beauty of Holy Island. The Museum at Lindisfarne Priory tells of the history, Viking raids, the cult of St Cuthbert, and the medieval Lindisfarne Gospels.

Cove Harbour

Accessible only by foot through a tunnel dug in 1752, Cove Harbour is an idilic location well off the tourist trail. Made famous locally by a series of Bank of Scotland adverts, there has been a fishing harbour at Cove since as long as records have existed. In 1881 Cove was hit by the East Coast Fishing Disaster and a memorial has recently been erected in memory of the tragic loss of life.

To make best use of your time on tour and to ensure safe passage across the causeway at Lindisfarne, we may reverse the tour itinerary. 

SUGGESTED TOUR ROUTE…

Each tour we operate is unique and designed to your requirements. Here is an example of this tour’s route

November 20, 2019 4:44 pm
  • Distance Instructions
Label
  • Distance 179 miles
  • Time 4 h 27 min
  • Speed 40 mph
  • Min altitude 0 ft
  • Peak 0 ft
  • Climb 0 ft
  • Descent 0 ft

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

These are some of the frequently asked questions about our Alnwick Castle & Viking Coast private tour from Edinburgh, however if you have a specific question please contact us

Can I customise the tour?2022-11-15T14:41:55+00:00

Yes, we can customise any itinerary. We’ll email you shortly after booking to ask if you have any customisation requests and suggest additions you may wish to make.

Can the tour start at the airport / cruise port2022-11-15T14:41:55+00:00

Yes, we regularly pick up guests from the airport or cruise port. Read more about shore excursions from cruise ships

Do I need to bring anything with me?2022-11-15T14:45:22+00:00

We recommend bringing a jacket (even if the forecast is good!) and comfortable shoes. We’ll provide everything else including umbrellas, binoculars refreshments and a wee treat or two!

Do you provide car seats for children?2022-11-15T14:41:55+00:00

Yes, by law children under 135cm (4.4 foot) must travel in a booster seat. We can also provide baby seats. Please advise us if you need this.

How do I pay for the tour2022-11-15T14:42:58+00:00

When you book you pay a 20% deposit. The final payment is due on the date of departure and is taken from your card automatically. We don’t accept cash for your tour payment.

I need to change my tour date2022-11-15T14:41:55+00:00

No problem, as long as we have availability we can change the tour date. The deposit is transferable to your new date

What about ‘comfort stops’2022-11-15T14:41:55+00:00

There are plenty of toilet opportunities! Each of our tours is designed to have regular breaks and tour guide can accommodate most requests for bathroom stops.

What about lunch on tour2022-11-15T14:41:55+00:00

Scotland is full of amazing places to eat and we’ll recommend stops that champion the best in Scottish quality and make the most of your time.

What is the maximum number of guests2022-11-15T14:41:56+00:00

We have two versions of our minivan; either 6 or 7 passengers. Find out more about our premium minivans

Where do I meet the tour2022-11-15T14:41:56+00:00

We pick you up from your hotel or accommodation. In some instances parking in the city centre is restricted so there might be a short walk to your vehicle, but your guide will walk with you to the vehicle.

ALL OF OUR TOURS COME COMPLETE WITH…

KILT WEARING TOUR GUIDE

We are passionate, professional and full of personality. Let us share our knowledge of Scotland

HOTEL / CRUISE BERTH PICK UP

We’ll collect & return you at the start and end of the tour

BOTTLED SCOTTISH WATER

`Chilled, premium still and sparkling Scottish water is provided

PREMIUM MERCEDES MINIVAN

Our minivans offer luxury interiors and excellent legroom for up to 7 guests and their bags

ONBOARD WIFI

Stay connected to friends and family on tour with unlimited super-fast wifi

RECENT CUSTOMER TESTIMONIALS

  • Heather C

    Our tour was a wonderful and immersive experience with Hazel, who has a wealth of historical knowledge! Tremendously affable, she took us to several unexpected points of Outlander related interest, a delicious place for lunch and our private tour felt like spending the day with [...]

    Published On: October, 2022
  • ML

    If you're reading this review trying to decide if you want to book this tour, let me tell you that you absolutely should! You will not regret it and will have memories for a lifetime. I highly recommended his tour. Alexander thank you for an [...]

    Published On: October, 2022
  • Martin L

    We actually took the full day tour and I can't say enough good things about our tour experience and, more importantly, our guide Alexander (Sandy). He was top notch. He immediately made us feel at home. Alexander was down to earth, funny and SO knowledgeable. [...]

    Published On: October, 2022
  • Alex M

    We went on a tour with Hazel today. She was a rock star! We had the best day ever! She was so friendly, knowledgeable and kind! She was very attentive to our interests and we truly enjoyed her company. She’s the best tour guide ever!

    Published On: October, 2022
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