From Edinburgh: Holy Island, Alnwick Castle and Northumbria Tour

This day tour takes you from Edinburgh into Northumbria, a corner of North-East England shaped by monks, medieval lords and centuries of border warfare. The first stop is Holy Island, reached via a causeway that connects it to the mainland, where you can wander the ruins of Lindisfarne Priory and take in views of Lindisfarne Castle, which dates back to 1550. There's time to try the island's own mead, brewed by monks and known well beyond Northumbria.

From there, the route continues south past Bamburgh, once the ancient capital of Northumbria, before reaching Alnwick. This market town is home to Alnwick Castle, seat of the Percy family for more than 700 years and a filming location for both Downton Abbey and the Harry Potter movies. You can spend your time in the town centre or head into the castle complex and gardens, where the Grand Cascade fountain and the Poison Garden are among the more unusual sights.

The return journey heads north through the border town of Coldstream, crossing back into Scotland over the River Tweed, with a possible stop at Flodden Field, site of the 1513 battle between England and Scotland. It's a full day out from Edinburgh that covers coastline, castles and a fair stretch of Northumbrian history in one trip.

The day starts in Edinburgh, where you'll meet your guide and board a bus heading south into Northumbria. The first major stop is Holy Island, reached via the causeway into the village of Lindisfarne, where you can explore the Priory ruins, take in views of Lindisfarne Castle, and try the island's famous mead before the tranquility of the setting sinks in properly. From here, the route runs past Bamburgh and on to Alnwick.

In Alnwick, you can choose to spend your time browsing the market town or visiting Alnwick Castle and its gardens, home to the Grand Cascade fountain and the Poison Garden, plus several spots recognisable from Downton Abbey and Harry Potter. By mid-afternoon, the tour heads back north, crossing the River Tweed at Coldstream and, time permitting, stopping at Flodden Field before returning to Edinburgh.