The 14 Best Borders & Northumberland Day Trips

1.Holy Island, Alnwick Castle & Northumbria

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 1,313 reviews · 9 hours · from $85Our pick

Travel from Edinburgh with an English-speaking driver-guide to Lindisfarne and Alnwick. Taste Lindisfarne Mead, see the priory, explore Alnwick Castle and its Poison Garden, and cross the historic Scottish border. Tidal conditions can reverse the route.

“Our trip was amazing! Andrew T was a great tour guide! Can’t recommend the tour or him enough! He was very knowledgeable and enthusiastic about all the areas and history. Super nice! Had plenty of time for exploring at all our stops. Made for a great tour! A definite must!”

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2.Rosslyn Chapel and Scottish Borders Small-Group Day Tour from Edinburgh

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 673 reviews · 6 hours 45 minutes (approx.) · from $47Best value

Travel from Edinburgh in a 16-seat Mercedes mini-coach with a driver-guide such as Martin, Ally, or Duncan. Explore Rosslyn Chapel’s carvings, Melrose’s Gothic ruins, Scott’s View, and a Wallace statue, with time for lunch and countryside views.

“Lizzie was awesome! She was well spoken and told a great story. We really enjoyed her. The biggest issue we had was that there was not enough time at Roslyn Chapel. We only had an hour and a half and that was not near enough time. We would rather have had less time in Melrose.”

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3.Rosslyn Chapel and Hadrian’s Wall Small Group Tour from Edinburgh

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 673 reviews · 10 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $123Top rated

Travel from Edinburgh in a Mercedes minivan with a local guide such as Angela, Callum, or Roddy. Visit Rosslyn Chapel, Melrose, Carter Bar, Housesteads Roman Fort, and Jedburgh. Expect about 10.5 hours on the road, walking at Hadrian’s Wall, and admission fees and meals paid separately.

“Loved the trip! I especially enjoyed the commentary from our guide, he was wonderful. I signed on for the trip for Hadrian’s wall but I enjoyed Rosslyn Chapel the most. The Roman road portion was, as they say, very straight, and as a consequence full of ups and downs. If you have a tendency to motion sickness, a Dramamine before the journey might be wise.”

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4.Hadrian’s Wall & The Borders Tour from Edinburgh Incl. Admission

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 607 reviews · 10 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $72

Follow Roman Britain from Edinburgh to Northumberland in a 16-seat Mercedes mini-coach. Walk at Steel Rigg, explore Vindolanda, cross Carter Bar, and stop in Jedburgh and Moffat. Guides such as Andy, Alex, Mac, and Jim add history, music, and local stories to this long but rewarding day.

“It was an awesome experience, specially listening from the driver some history before each stop we did made the experience even better. Thank you!”

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5.Holy Island, Alnwick Castle & Kingdom of Northumbria

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 480 reviews · 9 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $87

Travel from Edinburgh into Northumbria with a driver-guide such as John, Neil, Shug, or Jada. Explore Lindisfarne Priory, Alnwick Castle and Garden, and possibly Flodden Battlefield. Tide times can shorten or cancel the Holy Island stop, while castle admission costs extra.

“The company canceled last minute. Still awaiting my refund. It was disappointing but there were not enough people signed up so I understood.”

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6.Harry Potter’s Alnwick Castle and Scottish Borders Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 431 reviews · 9 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $88

Travel from Edinburgh by air-conditioned vehicle with an English-speaking guide to Bamburgh Castle, Alnwick Castle, and Coldstream. You’ll see Harry Potter filming locations, hear lively border history, and have time for castle grounds, gardens, and coastal views. Guides may include Connor, Cara, Heidi, or Tom.

“Our guide and driver Connor gave fascinating stories along the way. Alnswick castle is a good place for family to spend a day to visit the artisans, dragon exhibit and broom flying lesson.”

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7.Alnwick Castle, Northumberland and Borders Tour with Admission

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 299 reviews · 9 hours (approx.) · from $135

Travel from Edinburgh in a 16-seat Mercedes mini-coach to Kelso, Alnwick Castle, the Northumberland coast, and Dunbar. Your English-speaking driver-guide, such as Penny, Nathan, Sean, or JP, adds local stories along the way. Castle admission is included, while gardens cost extra.

“Tour was great, our guide Nathan was very knowledgeable and told fascinating stories. The Castle itself was very impressive and fun to explore, especially the State Rooms. Overall the tour was very good and I highly recommend. 👍🏼”

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8.Day Trip to Bamburgh and Alnwick Castle

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 212 reviews · 8.5 hours · from $68

Travel from Edinburgh into Northumberland with a live English-speaking guide such as Cliff, Tim, or Dave. See Bamburgh’s castle and beach, spend 2.5 hours at Alnwick Castle, try broomstick lessons, and return by early evening. Castle admission costs extra.

“Rich was an AMAZING guide! He is kind, respectful, and extremely helpful. I recommend him!!!!”

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9.From Edinburg: Viking Coast & Alnwick Castle Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 185 reviews · from $92

Travel from Edinburgh in a Mercedes mini-coach with an English-speaking driver-guide such as Graham, Angela, or Callum. Visit tidal Holy Island, Lindisfarne Priory, and Alnwick Castle, with time for Harry Potter activities, castle rooms, gardens, and coastal views.

“Great Tour perfectly organised ! Graham the Guide did his best to ensure top service, professional entertainment and relaxed atmosphere. The stop to Holy Island is terrific!”

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10.Rosslyn Chapel, the Borders & Glenkinchie Distillery

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 173 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $66

Travel from Edinburgh to Rosslyn Chapel, Melrose, and Glenkinchie Distillery in a small group of up to 32 people. Expect live commentary, scenic Borders roads, free time for lunch, chapel carvings, and an optional whisky tasting. Guides such as Alistair, Eric, and Lorna are known for lively storytelling.

“Very good day with our excellent driver, Eric. The Rosslyn Chapel was beautiful, a knowledgeable guide gave us the history of the chapel and the family. Melrose is a nice small town with several places to choose from to eat. The Abby is under restoration so we could only walk around the grounds. The visit to Glenkinchie distillery was very interesting and informative with a great guide Tony. A marvelous day in all.”

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11.Alnwick Castle and Scottish Borders Tour from Edinburgh

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 172 reviews · 9.5 hours · from $68

Travel by small-group coach from Edinburgh to Bamburgh, Alnwick Castle, and Coldstream. Guides such as Cara and Dusty bring history and folklore to life, while optional Alnwick entry lets you explore Hogwarts filming sites, grand rooms, and gardens.

“Dusty es un guía excelente. Fue una experiencia muy rica e intensa. Le daría media hora más a bamburgh para poder disfrutar también de la playa junto con el castillo. El lugar es hermoso.”

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12.Viking Coast and Alnwick Castle Very Small Group Tour from Edinburgh

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 170 reviews · 9 hours (approx.) · from $95

Travel from Edinburgh in a Mercedes mini-coach with a local guide such as Angela, Keith, or Callum. Visit Holy Island, see Lindisfarne Priory and Castle, then spend at least two and a half hours at Alnwick Castle or its gardens. Admission fees are extra.

“It was a great, well paced trip. I wish we could spend more time on Lindisfarne but I also understand why that’s not possible given everything you get to see on this trip. Alnwick was fascinating, I recommend doing one of the guided history tours.”

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13.1 Day Alnwick Castle, Holy Island & Scottish Borders

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 65 reviews · 10 hours (approx.) · from $82

Travel from Edinburgh into the Scottish Borders and northern England with The Hairy Coo. Visit Holy Island, Alnwick Castle, Alnwick Garden or village, and Bamburgh Castle viewpoint. Expect live stories, regular comfort stops, a small midi-coach, and a full 10-hour day.

“Trip was great. Highly recommend. Will not disappoint and the castle has things for everyone to see and do.”

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14.Bamburgh Castle, Northumberland and Alnwick Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 56 reviews · 10.5 hours · from $61

Travel from Edinburgh to Holy Island, Alnwick and Bamburgh Castle on a 10.5-hour winter tour with live commentary from guides such as Lorna and Neil. Visit Lindisfarne’s gardens, choose Alnwick Garden or town time, and add castle entry at Alnwick and Bamburgh.

“Piccolo gruppo con autobus comodo. La guida e’ stata bravissima! Simpatica, molto preparata, ci ha dato tantissime informazioni. Peccato che non ci sia un tour in italiano così”

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