Northumberland Coast and Castles
Northumberland Coast and Castles
Northumberland Coast and Castles
6 Days Starting and ending in Amble
Visiting: Alnwick, Bamburgh Castle, Dunstanburgh Castle, Alnwick Castle, Hadrian's Wall, Housesteads Roman Fort - Vercovicium - English Heritage Site, Vindolanda, Holy Island, Berwick-upon-Tweed
Tour operator:
Tour code:
NTH
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
4 - 18
Physical rating:
Medium, Moderate
Age range:
14-99
Special diets catered:
Vegans, Vegetarians
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Discover stunning countryside, unspoilt beaches, hidden gardens and fascinating cultural heritage in the welcoming county of Northumberland. Centre-based in the port town of Amble we explore some of the highlights of this friendly region from imposing castles guarding the dramatic coastline, ancient religious sites and Roman sites along Hadrian's Wall.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Join Trip In Alnwick.
Location: Alnwick
Accommodation: The Amble Inn
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.
Day 2: Bamburgh Castle, Rnli Grace Darling Museum, Craster And Dunstanburgh Castle
Location: Bamburgh Castle, Dunstanburgh Castle
Accommodation: The Amble Inn
Meals Included: Breakfast
We start the day with a drive (45min) 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. A short walk and we visit the RNLI Museum of Grace Darling, the Victorian Heroine who risked her life to rescue survivors of a wrecked ship in a storm back in 1838.
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.
Day 3: Alnwick Castle, Alnwick Gardens And Hulne Park
Location: Alnwick Castle
Accommodation: The Amble Inn
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today we drive a short distance to the market and castled town of Alnwick - a cultural highlight that is pretty hard to beat! 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. If time allows there is a lovely walk into Hulne Park, a former hunting park for the Duke of Northumberland, now open to the public. Entrance into Alnwick Castle and Gardens is included.
Day 4: The Unesco Site Of Hadrians Wall, Housesteads And Vindolanda
Location: Hadrian's Wall, Housesteads Roman Fort - Vercovicium - English Heritage Site, Vindolanda
Accommodation: The Amble Inn
Meals Included: Breakfast
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, 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 included.
Day 5: Holy Island Of Lindisfarne & Berwick Ramparts
Location: Holy Island, Berwick-upon-Tweed
Accommodation: The Amble Inn
Meals Included: Breakfast
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. 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.
Day 6: Trip Ends In Alanwick
Location: Alnwick
Meals Included: Breakfast
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.
What's Included
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Accommodation
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Meals – Breakfast Only
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Fully Guided
What's Not Included
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Tipping and Gratuities
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1 bottle of Mineral Water per person per day
Check out our Q&As
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes
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Will there be an escort accompanying this tour?
Yes
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What is the maximum group size?
16
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Will I know the names and details of all the accommodation before I depart?
Yes
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Are children permitted to take part in the tour?
No
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I'm going on a walking/cycling trip-do I need to train?
It will depend on the grade and how fit you already are. Check the trip page for details of the walking or cycling grade and how far you’ll be walking/cycling each day. For moderate or challenging trips in particular we’d recommend doing some walks or cycles before you leave to build up your fitness and prepare you for the distances being covered.
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Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
We have a wide range of ages nationalities on our small group trips and they come from all walks of life.
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Should I get travel insurance?
Yes–it is a condition of booking that you are fully insured when travelling with us
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How long has the tour company been trading?
At Explore, we're the experts in adventure travel. Our small group adventure holidays have been running since 1981. Today, Explore is one of the most trusted travel companies in the UK with over 500 trips to more than 120 countries.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
Yes, but there are no concessions for doing so, and we must have a record in your booking advising as such before the trip departs.
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Am I contributing to any charity by booking the tour?
Being a responsible company is a large statement, something that has to be entwined within the very fibre of a company. Discover the charities and partnerships we support as part of this at https://www.explore.co.uk/about/sustainability/charities-and-partners
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
We want to be as clear as and as honest as possible about what happens if you decide to that you no longer wish to travel on your trip. Our booking conditions have details of the costs you’ll incur when you cancel-these charges depend on how long it is before your planned departure.
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What is the accommodation like?
We choose comfortable accommodation in the best locations possible. We opt for small, local and family-run accommodation where we can, as opposed to large chain hotels. We typically use hotels that are the equivalent of European 3-star, and you’ll usually have an en suite room. Occasionally, where we want to get off the beaten trail we may stay in more basic accommodation.
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Sustainability is embedded within the fibre of Explore, it emanates from the inside out. But as we enter a new decade it is clearer than ever that our world needs help, and Explore has created a sustainability strategy based on the 2015 UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Our flexible booking and safety policies mean you're protected before and during your travels with us. Receive a full refund if your trip is cancelled, transfer your trip free of charge up to 10 days before departure minus any irrocoverable costs.
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Do I need to be very fit to book with you?
All our trips require some level of active participation. This could be on a cultural trip, trek, safari, expedition or voyage. It is in the interests of all members of the group that everyone should be capable of fully participating in the activities of their chosen trip.
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Final documents will include a comprehensive trip itinerary, climate and country information, budgeting and packing advice visa and passport information and details on optional activities available.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Yes on most of our trips. Most trips are based on customers sharing twin-bedded rooms. If you book a group trip as an individual, you will share a room with someone of the same sex. However, on many trips we offer the opportunity to pay a supplement to pre-book a single room, known as our single room option. On some trips a single room will be provided every night, on others it will be provided o
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Do we have to be vaccinated against Covid-19 to travel
It’s now a condition of booking a trip with us that customers should have one of the following before they travel - — Be vaccinated against COVID, having received the full recommended course, and allowing enough time for immunity to take effect. Full vaccination includes any booster required to keep the vaccine valid. — Have taken a negative test (rapid antigen or PCR) within 72hrs of departure.
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Explore will only offer hotels that have specific COVID-19 protocols in place and comply with local government guidelines. We will ensure these measures include; enhanced room cleaning, ventilation, social distancing, regular cleaning and disinfection of high frequency touch points in public areas, food safety, staff re-training and minimising contact within the properties.
Reviews from Travellers on this Tour
Book with Confidence
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Free Date Changes
Explore! allows you to make 1 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 60 days before the start of the tour.
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Low Deposit
Explore! requires a minimum deposit of 10% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of explore! charges.
Up to 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 59 days before tour starts: Forfeit 30% of booking price.
At 41 days before tour starts: Forfeit 60% of booking price.
At 27 days before tour starts: Forfeit 90% of booking price.
At 13 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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