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Castles & Broomsticks
This magical Alnwick Castle tour takes you from Edinburgh to the Anglo-Scottish border to learn about the bloody battles that raged. We’ll visit the picture-perfect seaside village of Bamburgh where you can head to the beach for some shenanigans and get the chance to visit mighty Bamburgh Castle which dates back to the 5th century. But more importantly, we’re going to Hogwarts! Harry Potter fans rejoice - we’re off to the School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Along with a rich history and magnificent splendour, Alnwick Castle also starred in Downton Abbey.
Tour Highlights
Small But Mighty
Travelling in a wee group means more banter, more space, and plenty of laughs along the way. Cosy, right? Just a heads-up – while we usually travel in smaller vehicles, sometimes a larger bus might be used due to availability.
Alnwick Castle
Alnwick Castle is a top tourist attraction with an extra sprinkle of magic. The striking structure is a popular filming location, and was famously featured in Harry Potter. Release your inner wizard with a broomstick lesson in the very same spot as young Harry in the Philosophers Stone.
Bamburgh Castle
Bamburgh is a sleepy Northumbrian village with an epic backdrop. The imposing Bamburgh Castle springs up from the coastal landscape, behind rows of pretty cottages and street lanterns. Wander over sand dunes, onto a stretch of flawless beach, for the most impressive views of the castle.
Inclusions
Small Group Tour
Your Legendary Local HAGGiS Guide
Scottish Stories & Live Commentary (in English)
Foreign Language Audio Guides Available
Audio guide links will be provided after booking. Please download over WiFi and bring your own headphones
Full Refund if Cancelled More Than 24 hours in Advance
What Other Explorers Say
Bamburgh & Alnwick castles were magnificent. The Hirsel Estate was fantastic as well. I would recommend this tour to others.
Angie
05/02/2026David our tour guide picked us up, and the fun began. David was very informative and knowledgeable in every aspect of this tour. Beautiful castles and scenery of spectacular views! Would love to do this tour over and over again. Just incredible!
Diane
11/02/2026Dusty our Driver/Tour Guide is very knowledgeable!!! Kudos for knowing and delivering the History. What an Amazing day it was. Definitely will book again if Dusty is our Tour Guide and Driver. Overall a trip to remember!!!
Kathleen
01/02/2026We had a great time with Tiegan and really enjoyed the tours of Alnwick castle. All the info Tiegan provided through the trip aswell the excellent recommendations were great to checkout each stop.
Ryan
08/02/2026My husband booked this day trip as part of our Scottish honeymoon, and we could not have loved it more! Ry had a truly impressive knowledge of Scottish history, and an incredible talent for storytelling that made the rides to the castles feel short! He also had great recommendations for each castle to make sure that each visitor on the tour was set up for success.
Amy
05/01/2026Frequently Asked Questions
Your tour to Alnwick Castle departs from the city centre in Edinburgh. Check out our departure info page for more details on your pick-up location.
Your Castles & Broomsticks tour from Edinburgh is approximately 9 hours long* – a braw day of exploring the Scottish Borders, the coastal village of Bamburgh, and Alnwick Castle.
*Tour duration might change based on traffic and weather.
Yes, Alnwick Castle was one of the filming locations for Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in the movies Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. So, you’re in for the ultimate Alnwick Castle Harry Potter experience!
Alnwick Castle and Bamburgh Castle are not included in the tour price. You can add them as an optional add-on at the time of booking.
You can delve into Alnwick Castle’s history with guided tours, relive Harry Potter film scenes of Hogwarts, try archery, or test your broomstick flying skills*. You can also wander the castle’s lush gardens – there is so much to do!
*Activities offered in the programme may vary. Entrance to Alnwick Castle must be purchased to partake in activities.
As enchanting as Bamburgh Castle may seem, it has no connections to the Harry Potter movies. We still recommend you paying a visit to the castle or enjoy views of it from the beach!
While our coaches don't offer onboard toilets, rest assured that our itineraries include regular comfort stops, allowing frequent access to restroom facilities.
Our guides are unable to assist with wheelchairs or provide physical assistance during boarding or disembarking from the coach. Passengers should be capable of boarding and disembarking independently using the access stairs or with the help of a traveling companion. Foldable wheelchairs can be stored in our onboard luggage storage during travel.
Please note that some stops on our tours may involve rough terrain or only be accessible by steps.
It's important to be aware that your accommodation may have limited accessibility for wheelchair users. More info can be found on our Accessibility page.
Yes! Our routes include stops where you can grab a snack or recharge with a drink. Occasionally, we pause at shops offering local souvenirs as well. For precise details about timing and stops, don't hesitate to inquire with your guide.
Although our tours follow a structured plan with key stops, part of the excitement comes from unexpected surprises! We refrain from providing additional details beyond what's outlined here, as factors like weather, traffic, and the preferences of our driver guides may lead to slight deviations. Trust that your journey through Scotland will be unlike any other!
If you need to cancel your tour, you will need to inform us in writing by sending an email to info@highlandexplorertours.com. You can find our cancellation and refunds policy in section 3 in our Terms and Conditions.
Feel free to visit our general Frequently Asked Questions page for answers to common queries, or reach out to us directly via our Contact Us page.
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In the afternoon, have your broomsticks at the ready as we’re off to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry! Alnwick Castle is the second largest inhabited castle in England, home to the Duke of Northumberland’s family for over 700 years. A long, rich history and magnificent medieval architecture makes it a film lovers’ dream.
After a magical afternoon in Alnwick, we’ll make our way back over the border and into Scotland where we will regale you with tales of the turbulent past before arriving into Edinburgh in the early evening.
1 Day Tour Itinerary & Map
Brace yourselves, we’re heading south to England! Departing from Edinburgh, our Alnwick Castle tour passes gentle rolling hills and dramatic coastline, we’ll cross the border with England to explore Bamburgh - the laid-back seaside village in the heart of Northumberland. Don’t get deceived by its sleepy looks – the village and the mighty Bamburgh Castle was the seat of the early Kings of Northumbria in the 5th century. Visit Bamburgh Castle or run down to the beautiful beach to get some fresh air, imagine Viking longboats approaching the coast for a raid and try to keep up with the area’s turbulent history recounted by your guide.
In the afternoon, have your broomsticks at the ready as we’re off to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry! Alnwick Castle is the second largest inhabited castle in England, home to the Duke of Northumberland’s family for over 700 years. A long, rich history and magnificent medieval architecture makes it a film lovers’ dream.
After a magical afternoon in Alnwick, we’ll make our way back over the border and into Scotland where we will regale you with tales of the turbulent past before arriving into Edinburgh in the early evening.
Day Highlights
Departure Point
Edinburgh - Royal Mile
We’ll leave from our shop at 60 High Street (Royal Mile) which is 5 minutes from the train station, 10 minutes from the bus station and in the heart of Edinburgh. Return times are approximate and depend on road conditions and weather. Whilst we will do everything to get you back on time make sure you give yourself plenty of time to make your connection if you're travelling onward that night. We recommend at least 3 hours after the scheduled return time.
Not sure how to get here? Find more info on our Departure Info page.
Departure & Return Time
Tours Dates & Prices
Choose a departure date, number of people and accommodation option.
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Alnwick Castle
Reserve at the time of bookingThe magnificent Alnwick castle was built over 900 years ago. Its original purpose was to control the perilous borders between Scotland and England. Today, it is better known as one of the filming locations for the 'Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry' in the Harry Potter movies. As part of many popular Harry Potter tours, the castle’s expansive gardens are world famous, and its rooms are some of the finest examples of 19th-century Italianate design. Tickets are subject to availability.
Bamburgh Castle
Reserve at the time of bookingBamburgh Castle has been towering above the beautiful Northumberland coast for over 1,400 years. Spread across nine acres of rocky terrain, it stands as one of the largest inhabited castles in Britain.
