York, Windermere & Hadrian's Wall

Edinburgh - Berwick-upon-Tweed- Bamburgh Castle - York. We head south from Edinburgh, following the East Lothian coastline to the walled town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, on the border between England and Scotland. Admire the fortifications before we continue to Bamburgh Castle, a 1,400-year old fortress standing over the Northumberland coastline. It's one of the largest inhabited castles in the UK. After our visit here, we continue to York, an ancient walled city known for its Roman and Viking history.

Please note: Check-in closes at 09:00 on day 1 (tour departs at 09:15) - Edinburgh Bus Station Pick Up, Gate J and Gate K, inside Edinburgh Bus Station, St Andrew Square, Edinburgh, EH1 3DQ.

From 01 April 2025: Check-in closes at 08:45am on day 1 (tour departs at 09:00am) - Edinburgh Bus Station Pick Up, Gate J and Gate K, inside Edinburgh Bus Station, St Andrew Square, Edinburgh, EH1 3DQ.

Accommodation: Bishop & Bison, Wheatlands, Greenside B&B or similar

Today you have a choice! You can spend the day independently roaming the city of York, home to a chequered history dating back to the Romans, Vikings and Normans. There are plenty of great museums and historic city walls to discover, as well as an array of cafes, bars and restaurants.

Alternatively, you can set out with our guide for a half-day trip across the North York Moors National Park. Visit Whitby and the fishing village of Robin Hood's Bay before returning to York for the evening.

Accommodation: Bishop & Bison, Wheatlands, Greenside B&B or similar

York - Yorkshire Dales National Park - Keswick. Departing York and heading west, we journey into the vast expanse of the Yorkshire Dales, brimming with wildlife, excellent scenery and a rich cultural heritage. We also pass through the scenic Northern Dales, an area of outstanding natural beauty and rolling hills. Our destination is the market town of Keswick in the Lake District, surrounded by shimmering lakes and rugged peaks.

Accommodation: The Edwardene, Elm Tree Lodge, Seven Oaks Guest House or similar

Keswick - Castlerigg - Windermere - Hawkshead - Grasmere - Keswick. On today's excursion, our first stop is the standing stone circle of Castelrigg. Dating back more than 5,000 years, it was believed to be the site of many strange and ancient rituals.

Our next visit is to Ullswater, one of the UK's prettiest lakes. We can enjoy a walk along the shore and take photos before reaching the Aira Force Waterfall, the most famous of the Lake District's cascades.

Heading over the Kirkstone Pass, we make a lunch stop at Windermere, on the shore of the UK's largest lake - there is time for an included lake cruise. We then head to Hawkshead, where renowned poet William Wordsworth went to school. After spending some time in this charming village, we navigate narrow country lanes to Grasmere, described by Wordsworth as “the loveliest spot that man hath found”. You can visit his home at Dove Cottage and the Daffodil Garden before we return to Keswick for the evening.

Accommodation: The Edwardene, Elm Tree Lodge, Seven Oaks Guest House or similar

Keswick - Hadrian's Wall - Edinburgh. Today we climb the Hartside Pass, enjoy unrivalled views of the Lake District and the rolling hills of Scotland from more than 1,900 feet. We then visit Hadrian's Wall, built by the Roman Emperor Hadrian to keep the marauding Scottish tribes out of the Roman Empire in 122 AD. Walk the same trails as Roman centurions many centuries ago and visit the Roman Army Museum.

We then cross into Scotland and stop for refreshments in Jedburgh, home to a magnificent ruined abbey. Our last stop is the viewpoint at Scott's View, from where you can gaze out over the River Tweed and Cheviot Hills, marking the border between England and Scotland. We then complete our drive to the Scottish capital of Edinburgh, where our tour comes to an end.

Please note: This tour ends at 19:00 - Edinburgh Bus Station Drop Off, Gate J and Gate K, Edinburgh Bus Station, St Andrew Square, Edinburgh, EH1 3DQ.