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- Alnwick Castle & the Borders
Combine movie magic and historic wonder on this Scottish Borders and Alnwick Castle tour from Edinburgh. You will visit the picturesque seaside village of Bamburgh and have the chance to visit 5th century Bamburgh Castle, sitting dramatically above the beautiful beach. Another highlight of the day is Alnwick Castle. This historic gem represents royal splendour and was a key filming location for Harry Potter and Downton Abbey. Lose yourself in tales of the past, and the enchantment of it all, on this journey between the border of Scotland and England.
Tour Highlights
Alnwick Castle
Alnwick Castle, AKA 'Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry', is one of the most impressive castles in Northumberland. The 14th century stronghold is a popular filming location; most famously in Harry Potter. Admire the vast gardens and elaborate staterooms, or book in for a broomstick training session.
Bamburgh Village
Bamburgh village, nestled on England's Northumberland coast, offers a charming retreat with beautiful views of the North Sea. Wander its cobbled streets or relax on the sandy shores of Bamburgh Beach. Don't miss the chance to sample local delights from one of the quaint shops for a wee taste of village life.
Bamburgh Castle
Bamburgh Castle is a striking defence structure, which overlooks the sleepy village of Bamburgh and its sweeping sand dunes. If the castle’s walls could tell tales, they would speak of vicious Viking raids, ancient kings and the Norman influence.
Small Group Tour
Small groups, big adventures! Our small group tours offer an intimate, relaxed way to explore while you soak up Scotland's magic. Please note that, due to vehicle availability, there may be instances where this tour operates on a larger bus.
Inclusions
Passionate Local Guide
Live Commentary & Storytelling in English
Small Group Tour
Foreign Language Audio Guides Available
Audio guide links will be provided after booking. Please download over WiFi and bring your own headphones
What Other Explorers Say
Bamburgh & Alnwick castles were magnificent. The Hirsel Estate was fantastic as well. I would recommend this tour to others.
Angie
14/09/2025David our tour guide picked us up, and the fun began. David was very informative and knowledgeable in every aspect of this tour. Beautiful castles and scenery of spectacular views! Would love to do this tour over and over again. Just incredible!
Diane
14/09/2025Dusty our Driver/Tour Guide is very knowledgeable!!! Kudos for knowing and delivering the History. What an Amazing day it was. Definitely will book again if Dusty is our Tour Guide and Driver. Overall a trip to remember!!!
Kathleen
11/09/2025t was amazing! Ry was such an amazing guide, so nice, funny and committed to his work. Me and my aunt absolutely loved it. The Bamburgh castle and Alnwick castle were also amazing, so much history and culture to experience. I can definitely recommend!
Irma
31/08/2025We had a great time with Tiegan and really enjoyed the tours of Alnwick castle. All the info Tiegan provided through the trip aswell the excellent recommendations were great to checkout each stop.
Ryan
27/07/2025My husband booked this day trip as part of our Scottish honeymoon, and we could not have loved it more! Ry had a truly impressive knowledge of Scottish history, and an incredible talent for storytelling that made the rides to the castles feel short! He also had great recommendations for each castle to make sure that each visitor on the tour was set up for success.
Jane
20/07/2025Ry was a fun and very knowledgeable tour guide and both Bamburgh and Alnwick Castles were incredible! Highly recommended!
Andrew
20/07/2025Torva was an engaging and entertaining guide! Top Dad jokes and historical knowledge! Epic 90's English playlist and sing-a-long made this day even more memorable! Would 100% recommend this well balanced day tour combining spectacular Northumbrian coastal scenery, history and quaint villages! Definitely worth the add on to enter both castles to maximise the amount of history you can discover on the tour!
Amy
17/07/2025Laurie is a fantastic guide. Her knowledge of the area and the history of Scotland that she shared with us made the tour quite memorable.
Walter
13/06/2025The ride was very relaxed. The sights were amazing! We are on our honeymoon and the driver Heidi also took the time to give us suggestions for restaurants! 10/10 recommend!
Amanda
06/06/2025The Alnwick Castle was amazing! I’m glad we got to spend 2.5 hours there to thoroughly explore and enjoy ourselves. Heidi was a very informative tour guide for our trip!
Kelly
06/06/2025I had an amazing time on this trip. The views were breathtaking and the beautiful castles were worth visiting. Our guide Alistair was entertaining with interesting historical facts that made the trip even better.
Elizabeth
13/05/2025Today I went to Alnwick with Heidi and my mother and sister. What a great day we had! Heidi explains in a fun and humorous way what we all encounter along the way. We had a good time and would definitely recommend this tour! Thank you so much!
Laury
11/05/2025Ali was an amazing guide, who entertained us with historical facts and references to Harry Potter! The bus was really nice and comfortable and we had a really nice time at the castles. Ali helped with everything and was really realiable! I would 100% recommend this tour and our great guide!
Hannah
06/05/2025I was very impressed with the whole tour. Our tour guide Emily was the greatest, kept us all laughing, yet very professional. She most definitely deserves a spa day for sure :)
Lisa
04/10/2024Steve was an amazing guide! We stopped at Alnwick Castle as well as Bamburgh Castle. We had plenty of time at each location. Steve was very informative throughout the drive and me and my wife had a great time!
Brady
06/04/2025Wonderful trip to Bamburgh castle and Alnick castle. Must place to visit. Dusty is really nice guide and driver. All the way he entertained us with his vast knowledge of Scotland. Must do tour. 5 stars
Anmol
01/04/2025Frequently Asked Questions
Your Alnwick Castle tour departs from Edinburgh city centre. For departure details and pick-up location, visit our Departure Info page.
Your Alnwick Castle tour from Edinburgh typically lasts about 9 hours* - a delightful day of exploration through the Scottish Borders, the coastal village of Bamburgh, and to Alnwick Castle.
*Length of tour may vary depending on traffic and weather conditions.
Admission to Alnwick Castle and Bamburgh Castle is not included in the tour price. However, you have the option to add castle entries to your tour at the time of booking.
While our coaches don't offer onboard toilets, rest assured that our itineraries include regular comfort stops, allowing frequent access to restroom facilities.
Our guides are unable to assist with wheelchairs or provide physical assistance during boarding or disembarking from the coach. Passengers should be capable of boarding and disembarking independently using the access stairs or with the help of a traveling companion. Foldable wheelchairs can be stored in our onboard luggage storage during travel.
Please note that some stops on our tours may involve rough terrain or only be accessible by steps.
It's important to be aware that your accommodation may have limited accessibility for wheelchair users. More info can be found on our Accessibility page.
Yes! Our routes include stops where you can grab a snack or recharge with a drink. Occasionally, we pause at shops offering local souvenirs as well. For precise details about timing and stops, don't hesitate to inquire with your guide.
Our itinerary (in tab 2, 'Itinerary & Departure') provides a helpful outline of what to expect on the day. We refrain from providing additional details beyond what's outlined there, as factors like weather, traffic, and the preferences of our driver guides may lead to slight deviations. We also believe that part of the excitement comes from the unexpected surprises along the way! Rest assured, your journey through Scotland will be unlike any other.
If you need to cancel your tour, you will need to inform us in writing by sending an email to info@highlandexplorertours.com. You can find our cancellation and refunds policy in section 3 in our Terms and Conditions.
Feel free to visit our general Frequently Asked Questions page for answers to common queries, or reach out to us directly via our Contact Us page.
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- Alnwick Castle & the Borders
Alnwick Castle & The Borders Itinerary & Map
Day 1
Alnwick Castle And The Borders
Our Alnwick Castle tour departs from Edinburgh in the morning, making its way south towards the Scottish Borders. On the way to England, you will see the gently rolling hills and dramatic coastlines of East Lothian. Our first stop is the beautiful coastal village of Bamburgh. Take a stroll to the stunning beach or enjoy an optional visit to the dramatic 5th century Bamburgh Castle sitting on a natural throne of volcanic rock.
In the afternoon, we will meet the star of the show, Alnwick Castle AKA Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry from the Harry Potter movies. There is lots to do here; admire large stately rooms and beautiful architecture, explore the spectacular castle grounds, or learn a little about the popular films and TV shows that have been filmed here.
After spending time in Alnwick, we make our way back over the border and into Scotland. On our drive home we’ll entertain you with tales of the turbulent past before arriving into Edinburgh early evening.
1 Day Tour Itinerary & Map
Our Alnwick Castle tour departs from Edinburgh in the morning, making its way south towards the Scottish Borders. On the way to England, you will see the gently rolling hills and dramatic coastlines of East Lothian. Our first stop is the beautiful coastal village of Bamburgh. Take a stroll to the stunning beach or enjoy an optional visit to the dramatic 5th century Bamburgh Castle sitting on a natural throne of volcanic rock.
In the afternoon, we will meet the star of the show, Alnwick Castle AKA Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry from the Harry Potter movies. There is lots to do here; admire large stately rooms and beautiful architecture, explore the spectacular castle grounds, or learn a little about the popular films and TV shows that have been filmed here.
After spending time in Alnwick, we make our way back over the border and into Scotland. On our drive home we’ll entertain you with tales of the turbulent past before arriving into Edinburgh early evening.
Day Highlights
Departure Point
60 High Street, EH1 1TB, Edinburgh
We depart from our blue corner shop at 60 High Street, centrally located on the Royal Mile in the Old Town of Edinburgh. A useful landmark to find us is the Radisson Blu Hotel, situated just one street further along.
Not sure how to get here? Find more info on our Departure Info page.
Departure & Return Time
Check-In Closes: 8:00 AM
Departs: 8:15 AM
Returns: 5:30 PM
Please Note
We are unable to hold the bus or refund for any late arrivals. Return times are approximate and subject to road conditions and weather. Please ensure you allocate sufficient time for any onward travel plans, allowing at least 3 hours after the scheduled return time for connections or activities.
Tours Dates & Prices
Choose a departure date, number of people and accommodation option.
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- Alnwick Castle & the Borders
Bamburgh Castle
Reserve at the time of booking
Bamburgh Castle has been towering above the beautiful Northumberland coast for over 1,400 years. Spread across nine acres of rocky terrain, it stands as one of the largest inhabited castles in Britain.
Alnwick Castle
Reserve at the time of booking
The magnificent Alnwick castle was built over 900 years ago. Its original purpose was to control the perilous borders between Scotland and England. Today, it is better known as one of the filming locations for the 'Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry' in the Harry Potter movies. As part of many popular Harry Potter tours, the castle’s expansive gardens are world famous, and its rooms are some of the finest examples of 19th-century Italianate design. Tickets are subject to availability.
