Northumberland Coast & Castles

Arrive in the small town of Alnwick, located on the south bank of the River Aln. Alnwick Castle and Gardens was home to one of the most powerful, medieval, northern baronial families - the Earls of Northumberland.

Check in is available from 3pm and the hotel has free car parking for guests. If arriving by train, Alnmouth Station is about 5 miles away by taxi. We advise pre-booking a taxi if you plan to use one.

The Tour Leader plans to meet you in reception at 6pm for the introductory briefing, followed by the option to enjoy a group meal (not included) to meet your fellow guests. Stay: The Hogs Head Inn (Comfortable)

We start the day with a drive to visit Bamburgh Castle (included). The castle's impressive ramparts are best appreciated from the beach so we plan a short walk up the coast and along the vast sandy beach. This vast Norman stronghold has stood guard over the spectacular Northumberland coastline for over 1,400 years.

In the afternoon, we drive back down the coast with a stop at the beautiful fishing village of Craster - famed for its Kippers that are still smoked in the village today. A scenic walk along the coast for about a mile leads us to the magnificent ruins of Dunstanburgh Castle (English Heritage, entrance not included) standing proudly on a remote headland. Stay: The Hogs Head Inn (Comfortable) (B)

We spend today in Alnwick - a cultural highlight that is pretty hard to beat! For those interested the Tour Leader will lead an optional extended walk to the first site (approx 4 miles). The town is surrounded by a wall dating back to the 14th century and is overlooked by the imposing Alnwick Castle, home of the current Duke and Duchess of Northumberland.

The castle and its remarkable gardens have been featured in many film and TV productions. You will have time to explore the Castle and the adjacent Walled Gardens and famous Treehouse. Entrance into Alnwick Castle and Gardens is included. In your freetime this afternoon we recommend a visit to Barter Books, a great second hand book store with cafe housed in the old Victorian railway station. Stay: The Hogs Head Inn (Comfortable) (B)

We drive (1.5hrs) inland today to Hadrian's Wall at The Sill Visitor Centre. This is one of the best preserved sections of the wall that is great to see up close on a 4-mile walk alongside the Wall passing Sycamore Gap to Housesteads Roman Hill Fort (National Trust, entrance not included). The wide-open spaces and stunning views looking north will give you an insight into how it would have been for a Roman Centurion to be posted here nearly two millennia ago. Alternatively, there is the option to travel in our bus.

After time for an optional visit to Housesteads Fort, we drive the short distance to the ruins of the Roman archaeological site of Vindolanda for another optional visit. A Roman auxiliary fort just south of the Wall that originally pre-dated it, around 25% of Vindolanda has been excavated and archaeologists are still hard at work here and it may be possible to learn about that process and any recent finds. Entrance into Vindolanda is not included and there is a cafe or surrounding coutryside for those not interested in visiting. Stay: The Hogs Head Inn (Comfortable) (B)

On our final excursion, we drive to the historic and religious Island of Lindisfarne. We plan to drive across the causeway but for those who are feeling energetic and if the tides allow, you can walk over the sands from the mainland following the route of St Aiden who walked this route to found the Priory in 635AD. Once on the island you have the option to visit the Priory (English Heritage, entrance not included), Lindisfarne Castle (National Trust, entrance not included) and you can visit the Lindisfarne Mead Shop to sample the local meads.

We may change the day of visit according to tides. Later in the day we will head further north to the once feudal town of Berwick upon Tweed which has changed hands from English to Scottish ownership no less than 11 times. We plan to take a walk along the tops of the walled Ramparts and, time permitting, you have the option to visit the Barracks before driving (1hr) back to our hotel. Stay: The Hogs Head Inn (Comfortable) (B)

The trip ends after breakfast at our hotel. You may choose to explore more of the local area under your own steam. Beyond Alnwick House and Gardens you can take a walk around Hulne Park, a former hunting park for the Duke of Northumberland, to Brizlee Tower and the ruins of Hulne Abbey. (B)