Tour 5 - The Viking Coast & Alnwick Castle
Tour Details Itinerary
Times
Prices & Booking Terms
*Students, over 60s & children 5-17
Included
- A fully guided tour from one of our 5-star reviewed driver/ guides
- Transport in a luxury Mercedes Wee Red Bus
- Free cancellation/rebooking up to 24 hours before departure
- Luggage allowance of up to 15 kg (33 lbs)
Not Included
- Entry fees to attractions
- Meals and refreshments
Tour Highlights
- Average group size of around 12
- Holy Island
- Alnwick Castle - 33% special discount
- Alnwick Garden - 33% special discount
- Lindisfarne Castle
- Northumberland coast
- Lindisfarne Priory
- Northumberland National Park
- The beautiful Scottish Borders
- Lots of time off the bus
Dates
2026 Season
1 March 2026 to 31 October 2026
2027 Season
1 March 2027 to 31 October 2027
TripAdvisor Traveler Rating
According to TripAdvisor travelers as of
Itinerary
Cross the historic Scotland/England border and visit the ancient county of Northumberland.
This exciting tour explores Holy Island, scene of the first Viking invasion of Britain, and Alnwick Castle (filming location for Harry Potter and Downton Abbey) before returning north to Edinburgh via the beautiful Borders.
Our scenic drive towards the historic border town of Berwick-on-Tweed follows the sweeping coastline of the North Sea. Soon we cross the ancient Scotland / England border into Northumberland. Lindisfarne or Holy Island is a tidal island settled around AD 635 by Irish monks who had moved to Scotland. From here the Christian message spread throughout the north of England. In 793 a fierce Viking invasion heralded the beginning of the Viking Age.
A fun day out in the safe hands of our friendly guides
Getting off the beaten track in the Wee Red Bus
The path to Lindisfarne Castle on Holy Island
'In 793 a fierce invasion of Holy Island heralded the beginning of the Viking Age'
Located within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty you will have plenty of time to enjoy a short walk to 16th century Lindisfarne Castle, visit the Priory where the famous Lindisfarne Gospels were created and to enjoy the spectacular views to Bamburgh Castle and the Farne Islands. * See note at bottom of page regarding tidal access to Holy Island.
Photo stop on the Holy Island tidal causeway
Statue of St Aidan
Lindisfarne Priory
Lindisfarne National Nature Reserve
After a short drive we arrive at Alnwick Castle and Garden around lunchtime. Here you can take advantage of our 33% discount (no pre-booking required) – Castle only adult £13.60, 5-16 yrs £7.60, Garden only adult £10.80, 5-16 yrs £5.60, Castle and Garden combined visit (not available to the general public) adult £22.50, 5-16 yrs £13.10. Please note this special discount is only available on the day itself and does not apply if you pre-book the Castle or Alnwick Garden independently in advance of the tour.
This magical place – the Windsor of the North – is one of Europe’s finest castles and has been at the centre of many historical events, from bloodthirsty battles between the Scots and the English to the intrigues of the Guy Fawkes plot.
Its sumptuous setting and exquisite architecture has famously been used as a filming location for ‘Downton Abbey’, ‘Harry Potter’ (Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry), ‘Robin Hood Prince of Thieves’, ‘Elizabeth’ and ‘Blackadder’.
Visit the Downton Abbey exhibition featuring costumes, photography and props from the series and revisit some of your favourite Harry Potter filming locations. There are guided historical and film tours as well as costumed actors in the castle grounds. Check the events board on entry to make the most of your time here.
Alnwick Castle - stunning Harry Potter and Downton Abbey filming location
'Alnwick Castle has famously been used as a Harry Potter filming location'
There are numerous fun and interactive activities for children and we will stop here for a minimum of 2.5 hours so you can fully appreciate and enjoy this amazing castle. Next door to the castle is the world-renowned Alnwick Garden. The fabulous Grand Cascade, Walled Garden and Poison Garden are part of an expansive network of formal planting which attracts visitors from all over the world.
Alnwick Castle State Rooms
Alnwick Garden
The tour returns north through scenic Border country following in the footsteps of feuding clans and families, known as Border Reivers, who fought a series of violent raids across the border hills until the end of the 16th century. We stop for refreshments and an opportunity to admire the beautiful rolling landscape which nestles between two historic and proud nations.
* Please note the crossing to Holy Island is dependent on tidal conditions and is always at driver discretion. Your driver will ensure that crossing times allow for a healthy safety margin. If the tour is unable to cross in the morning then we will endeavour to visit in the afternoon or stop at Bamburgh beach and the impressive castle instead.
The Scotland and England border bridge on the River Tweed at Coldstream
Alnwick Castle from the famous Lion Bridge
Sheep grazing beside the River Aln
What our travellers say
We think the Wee Bus is the perfect way to see Scotland - but don't just take our word for it. Here's what our travellers say on Tripadvisor.
Lindisfarne and Alnwick, 10/10!
Wonderful experience! Angela was a great guide, and had such a depth of historical, local, and personal knowledge to share with us…
Read moreBeautiful and inspiring
Calum was wonderful with both guiding and driving, and he was very passionate about Scotland — its history, society, nature, language and literature…
Read moreEngaging, fun tour with lasting memories made
Absolutely wonderful time on this tour. For our first time in Edinburgh, we booked this, and felt it was well worth the money…
Read moreGreat tour!
In a brand new bus went out with our tour guide Angela…
Read moreLindisfarne and Alnwick, 10/10!
Wonderful experience! Angela was a great guide, and had such a depth of historical, local, and personal knowledge to share with us. Gorgeous views along the way, great music in-between the shared stories and facts, and just a fabulous experience all over!
Beautiful and inspiring
I had a tour on Sunday 14 of June and my group guide was Calum.
I really wanted to visit Lindisfarne and the Northern (Viking) Coast, and since I`m not a driver, the tour was the best option. Heart of Scotland Tours, given the reviews and overview on the site, seemed to give the longest stop on the island, which it did, but only on the spot I understood how much it all depends on the tide times and the ability of guide to make the most of it. The tour also include a long stop in Alnwick (entrances to the castle and to the gardens are not included, but the company has a discount for the tour members on both, which was nice). There are several other small stops, I presume, more to the guide’s choice. I was happy to have the ability to see the Northern Sea near Bamburgh Castle and the completely cut off by tide Lindisfarne.
Calum was wonderful with both guiding and driving, and he was very passionate about Scotland - its history, society, nature, language and literature. Calum had been giving us full list of options about what to visit and where to go before each stop, but if one is interested in any of the stops particularly, I would advise to look into the possible best personal itinerary. I did it specifically for Lindisfarne.
It was a very good tour and unbelievably beautiful scenery, especially the sea.
Engaging, fun tour with lasting memories made
Absolutely wonderful time on this tour. For our first time in Edinburgh, we booked this, and felt it was well worth the money. Even on a very hot day, the air conditioning was excellent, bus was well kept, and our tour guide was amazing. Highly recommend this tour, especially if you, like us, didn’t have the time to commit to a full day in the Highlands - this tour will delight you!
Great tour!
In a brand new bus went out with our tour guide Angela. She was super enthusiastic and knew a lot about places we visited. She interspersed stories with music to match. Highly recommended!
