Departing from Edinburgh
Edinburgh: Holy Island, Alnwick Castle & Northumbria Day Trip
Cross to the Holy Island of Lindisfarne, then explore Alnwick Castle — the "Windsor of the North" and a Harry Potter and Downton Abbey filming location.
From
€63/ person
Rating
★ 4.7(1,599)
Duration
Full day (9 hours)
Rating
4.7 ★ (1,599 reviews)
Languages
English
About This Tour
Run by Timberbush Tours, this top-rated coach day trip crosses the border into Northumberland for two of the region's most atmospheric historic sites. Holy Island (Lindisfarne) is reached by a tidal causeway and is home to the ruins of Lindisfarne Priory and the island's famous mead. From there the tour continues to the market town of Alnwick and Alnwick Castle — the "Windsor of the North" — familiar on screen as Hogwarts in the Harry Potter films and as a filming location for Downton Abbey. A driver-guide provides live commentary throughout, with digital written translations available on board.
This tour does not stop at Bamburgh Castle. If Bamburgh is on your list, see the Bamburgh & Alnwick Castle Day Trip from Edinburgh instead.
Highlights
- ✓Visit Alnwick Castle, known as the "Windsor of the North"
- ✓Sample the famous Lindisfarne Mead, brewed by the monks on Holy Island
- ✓See the Grand Cascade at Alnwick Garden and its poison garden
- ✓Explore the historic market town of Alnwick
- ✓Visit Downton Abbey and Harry Potter filming locations
- ✓Live commentary throughout from your driver-guide
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Itinerary
Depart from Castle Terrace in Edinburgh for the coach journey south into Northumberland, with live commentary from the driver-guide covering the history of the borderlands en route.
Cross the tidal causeway to the Holy Island of Lindisfarne. Free time to explore, with an optional visit to Lindisfarne Priory (extra fee).
Break for lunch (own expense) in the historic market town of Alnwick.
Optional visit to Alnwick Castle, the "Windsor of the North" (extra fee). The castle is a Harry Potter and Downton Abbey filming location.
Optional visit to The Alnwick Garden, home to the Grand Cascade and the Poison Garden (extra fee).
Photo stop at the Flodden Field Memorial.
Break in the border town of Coldstream before the final leg back to Edinburgh.
Return coach journey to Edinburgh, arriving back at Castle Terrace.
What's Included
- ✓Modern air-conditioned coach
- ✓Live commentary
- ✓Driver-guide
- ✓Digital written translations
Not Included
- ✗Lindisfarne Priory entry (optional, extra fee)
- ✗Alnwick Castle & Gardens entry (optional, extra fee)
- ✗Restrooms on board
- ✗Food and drinks
- ✗Gratuities
Insider Tips
This tour does not stop at Bamburgh Castle. If Bamburgh is on your list, see the Bamburgh & Alnwick Castle Day Trip from Edinburgh.
The itinerary depends on the Holy Island tidal timetable. To ensure safe access, the order of the itinerary may occasionally be reversed.
Itineraries are subject to change.
Not suitable for children under 4 or for wheelchair users.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this tour stop at Bamburgh Castle?
No — this tour visits Holy Island and Alnwick Castle only, it does not include a Bamburgh Castle stop. For a tour that visits Bamburgh, see our separate Bamburgh & Alnwick Castle Day Trip from Edinburgh.
What is the Holy Island tidal causeway?
A road across the tidal flats that can only be crossed at certain times, depending on the tide. Because of this, the tour order may occasionally be reversed.
Can I go inside Alnwick Castle and Gardens?
Entry to Alnwick Castle and The Alnwick Garden is optional and costs extra.
Which Harry Potter and Downton Abbey scenes were filmed at Alnwick?
Alnwick Castle is the real-life Hogwarts of the Harry Potter films, including the broomstick flying lesson, and was also used as a filming location for Downton Abbey.
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From
€63
per person
Free cancellation available on most dates · Secure booking
Meeting point
Castle Terrace, Edinburgh — same return point at tour end
From
€63/ person