Alnwick Castle and Scottish Borders Tour

From£97.6
9 hours
Edinburgh, United Kingdom

About this activity

A full-day guided tour from Edinburgh to Alnwick Castle and the Scottish Borders, including transportation and admission.

Highlights

  • Explore Alnwick Castle's rich history
  • Discover the beauty of Northumberland's landscapes
  • Visit the charming town of Berwick-upon-Tweed
  • Experience the Scottish Borders' cultural heritage
  • Enjoy scenic drives through picturesque countryside

Full description

Join a captivating full-day tour from Edinburgh to Alnwick Castle, renowned for its rich history and stunning architecture. Explore the picturesque landscapes of Northumberland and the Scottish Borders, with visits to charming towns like Berwick-upon-Tweed. Enjoy scenic drives through the countryside, immersing yourself in the region's cultural heritage. This tour offers a perfect blend of history, culture, and natural beauty, providing an unforgettable experience.

Included / Excluded

  • Admission to Alnwick Castle
  • Guided tour of Northumberland and Scottish Borders
  • Transportation from Edinburgh
  • Meals and beverages

Itinerary

1

A ruined abbey, a stunning, cobbled town square, and beautiful boutique shops.

Duration: 40 minAdmission: NO
2

This captivating coastline is designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Duration: 10 minAdmission: NOT_APPLICABLE
3

*Entrance to Alnwick Castle included in tour price (upgrade to Gardens ticket available on arrival). This gorgeous castle was used as a set for both Harry Potter and Downton Abbey.

Duration: 3 hoursAdmission: YES
4

Say goodbye to England as we return to Scotland, traveling through the picturesque Scottish Borders into East Lothian and the town of Dunbar. This charming place is the birthplace of John Muir, the renowned naturalist and conservationist. You'll have a brief opportunity to explore the town before we resume our journey back to Edinburgh.

Duration: 25 minAdmission: NOT_APPLICABLE

Meeting point

Start Location

Unknown location

Important information

Know before you book

  • Tour operates on specific days; verify availability before booking.
  • Confirm the departure time and location in advance.
  • Be aware of the tour's cancellation policy and any associated fees.

Know before you go

  • Wear comfortable walking shoes for exploring the castle and towns.
  • Bring a camera to capture the scenic landscapes and historic sites.
  • Check the weather forecast and dress accordingly for the day's conditions.

Cancellation policy

Free cancellation up to 1 days before the activity starts

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Accessibility

  • Easy Public Transport

Good to know

  • We apologise, but we cannot accommodate children under 5 years old on our tours. Children under 18 need to be accompanied by an adult. Please note that if this policy is not followed, we will have to refuse travel without issuing a refund. Thank you for understanding.
  • Check in closes 15 minutes prior to departure. This tour will depart from inside Edinburgh Bus Station, Gate J and Gate K, St Andrew Square, Edinburgh, EH1 3DQ.
  • In order to retain the integrity of the tour and try to ensure that all our customers have the best possible experience, we do cap bookings from any one party to 8 passengers.
  • Alnwick Castle - We reserve tickets for you (included in tour price ). Upgrade to include Gardens available on arrival.
  • Luggage Allowance: You're restricted to 20kg (44lbs) of luggage per person. 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.
  • Please note that on 12 and 13 September 2026, Alnwick Garden will be closed due to a flower show. Entry to Alnwick Castle only will remain open.

Traveler reviews

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A mixture of history and fun.

This castle is within easy walking distance from Alnwick town centre. Impressive castle and a lot of history , the guides in all parts of the castle were very knowledgeable and pleasant to talk to. We took one of the free tours on offer to visit the locations of the long list of films and tv series that have been filmed there, including Harry Potter, Blackadder and Downton Abbey. We spent about 5 hours there including a light lunch and watching the visitors of all ages learning how to fly on Harry Potter broomsticks!

redr480Jul 6, 2026TRIPADVISOR

Beautiful Castle worth visiting

The Castle is impressive and worth the distance to get there. Our guide was super nice and gave us plenty os information about the sites we visited and the history os Scotland. We definitely recommend if you are a Harry Potter fan.

FERNANDO_FJul 4, 2026VIATOR

Billy N was a great guide...

Billy N was a great guide and driver with interesting stories as well as great information about the places we visited.

John_WJun 2, 2026VIATOR

Great trip to Alnwick!

Our guide Rich made the trip so great, he talked to us about history and fun facts, he drove so carefully and made sure we were safe on the road, and he played some wonderful music! We drove along the coast and the view was amazing!

G6850JMwendynMay 30, 2026TRIPADVISOR

Fun and Informative Day with Rabbies!

We thoroughly enjoyed our day trip with Kevin and Duncan. They were both hilarious, telling tales and history with flair. It's a long day and we didn't even notice we were having so much fun listening to Kevin tell stories of the many battles, what each location is known for, etc. He played Scottish music representative of each spot, and was excellent at ensuring we were all having a great day. There was ample time at each stop, and even when returning, Kevin provided suggestions for how to spend your evening in the city. Highly recommend!

daniella21Apr 20, 2026TRIPADVISOR

Additional information

Min. age 5 years old. We do not accept children under the age of 5 years. Check in closes 15 minutes prior to departure In order to retain the integrity of the tour and try to ensure that all our customers have the best possible experience, we do cap bookings from any one party to 8 passengers. Alnwick Castle - We reserve tickets for you (included in tour price ). Upgrade to include Gardens available on arrival.