Top 10 Historical & Heritage Tours in Northumberland, England

Discover some of northern England’s most picturesque regions on this 5-day excursion from Edinburgh. With an expert driver-guide, enjoy a scenic journey along the magnificent East Lothian coastline to the historical city of York. From here, visit the breathtaking natural beauty of North York Moors National Park and the Yorkshire Dales, and then relocate to the charming market town of Keswick to explore the Lake District and Hadrian’s Wall. Numbers limited to 16 on this small-group tour, ensuring an intimate experience with personalized attention from the guide.

Inclusions: Professional guide/driver, Transport by top of the range Mercedes mini-coach, 4 nights in B&B or 3-star Hotel accommodation (en-suite rooms with breakfasts), Small group tour (16 people max)

Exclusions: Food and drinks, unless specified, Gratuities, Admission fees.

Explore the hidden gems and iconic sites of beautiful Northumberland on this 2-hour guided walking tour. Learn about the rise and fall of one of Rome’s most famous constructions at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Hadrian’s Wall. Discover why Northumberland has more castles than any other county in England. See romantic moorland, sweeping coastlines and medieval villages. This tour brings the places you visit to life, by telling you the secrets tales and anecdotes that archaeologists usually keep to themselves. The tour is perfect for visitors who want to get off the beaten track to explore the history and culture of rugged Northumberland.

Inclusions: Local guide, Professional guide

Exclusions: Transportation to/from attractions

Hadrian’s Wall, the UNESCO world heritage site and the frontier of the Roman Hadrian’s Wall. Discover the varied lives of the troops stationed on the wall. Starting at Steel Rig we will walk the 2 1/2 miles to the Roman fort of Housesteads. This walk will enable you to see the wall, discover its milecastles and see the wild geography of the frontier. Housesteads is the most complete of Roman forts in Britain and gives you a fantastic view of Roman life on Hadrian’s wall. After visiting the fort we stop for lunch twice brewed where you will be able to enjoy fantastic local food. We will then proceed to Vindolanda. Vindolanda was a Roman supply base and has been extensively excavated providing us with in-depth information on the people who lived on the wall. This tour is great for those who love history, wish to discover more about the Romans and enjoy country walks. Please contact us for small groups and solo travelers' options.

Inclusions: Local guide, Professional guide

Exclusions: Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase), Drinks at Lunch time, Lunch

2000 years ago Hadrians Wall was a frontier, a place where two cultures collided. Your guide will weave a narrative from both the Roman perspective and the native perspective, thereby providing both viewpoints. The Northumberland National Park makes a magnificent backdrop. Your guide will make visible a wealth of archaeology, thereby helping you discover a land with multiple layers. You will be in awe of the landscape as you walk the gentle slopes of the Whin Sill, a geological feature underpinning Hadrian’s Wall. After your walk you will visit two museums on Hadrians Wall to enhance your visit even further. This is the complete Hadrian’s Wall experience. • Full Day guided tour of Hadrian's Wall  • Discover the purpose of Hadrian's Wall • Visit Hadrians wall and two of the best preserved Roman forts in Britain • Understand the men of Hadrian's Wall • View the beautiful landscape of Northumberland National Park • Booking is essential (Alternative tours are available)

Inclusions: Local guide, Professional guide

Exclusions: Transportation to/from attractions

A tour that takes you from Edinburgh over the border to England and back. You’ll have ample time to explore one of the UK’s best castles, Alnwick Castle, made famous by the Harry Potter films. Also, stop at Melrose Abbey in the Borders, on the magnificent east coast of Scotland.

Inclusions: Driver/guide, Mercedes air-conditioned vehicle, panoramic windows

Exclusions: Food and drinks, Gratuities, Admissions

The Hadrian’s Wall tour travels out of the Lake District for the day and up to the Scottish Borders. The main focus of the day is the Wall of which we travel along viewing its remains of turrets, mile castles and forts. During your day you will have time to enjoy the Roman Army Museum, exploring the history of the Romans and learning what it was like to work on the ‘Wall’. A highlight of the tour is Vindolanda, a Roman settlement; one of Europe’s largest excavation sites and is still being worked on today. 

Inclusions: Transport in a small mini-coach, On-board commentary in English

Exclusions: Food & drink, Additional Entrance fees, Drivers gratuity (Optional)

Join this small group tour (13 passengers or less) and travel to the amazing and mysterious 15th century Rosslyn Chapel, across the historic Scotland/England border and south to Hadrian’s Wall, a World Heritage Site celebrating the power – and northern limit – of the Roman Empire. Other highlights on this tour include the mighty Abbeys of Melrose and Jedburgh as you journey at a relaxed pace through the beautiful Borderlands.

Inclusions: Small group tour - 13 passengers or less, Live commentary on board, Local guide, Driver/guide, Transport by air-conditioned Mercedes mini-coach

Exclusions: Food and drinks, Gratuities, Attraction Entrance Fees

Explore the stunning scenery of the Scottish Borders on this full-day tour of Kelso, Alnwick Castle and Berwick. Head to the pretty border town of Kelso and soak up the atmosphere in the large market square. Visit the ruins of Kelso Abbey, then cross the border and travel on to Alnwick Castle, the setting for Hogwarts Academy in the Harry Potter movie series. Continue onward along the Northumberland coast to the walled town of Berwick-upon-Tweed. All entrance fees at your own expense.

Inclusions: Driver/guide, Transport by top of the range Mercedes 16-seat mini-coach, Small group tour (max 16 people)

Exclusions: Food and drinks, Gratuities, Hotel pickup and drop-off, Admission Fees (Alnwick Castle)

Travel through 2,000 years of history as you visit ancient Roman sites such as Hadrian’s Wall, Dere Street, Birdoswald Fort, Steel Rigg and historic villages along the border of Scotland and England. You'll drive through stunning scenery in Northumberland National Park, the Irthing Valley and the Southern Uplands and learn about the Anglo-Scottish wars of the 14th–16th centuries. Your professional guide will illuminate the fascinating history of Roman Britain and the Scottish Borders on this small-group (limited to 16 people) day tour from Edinburgh.

Inclusions: Driver/guide, Transport by luxury Mercedes mini-coach, Small group tour (16 people max) for a more personal experience.

Exclusions: Hotel pickup and drop-off, Lunch, Gratuities, Admission fees

This popular small group day tour (13 passengers or less) 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. You will enjoy stunning views along the Northumberland coastline before arriving at Alnwick Castle for a minimum of two-and-a-half hours. On Holy Island you may want to include the beautiful short walk to Lindisfarne Castle and a visit to the picturesque Abbey.

Inclusions: Small group tour - 13 passengers or less, Live commentary on board, Local guide, Driver/guide, Transport by air-conditioned Mercedes mini-coach

Exclusions: Food and drinks, Gratuities, Attraction Entrance Fees