Available languages
120 hours
Mobile ticket
*Tour price includes admission to Bamburgh Castle, Cruise on Lake Windermere (45 minutes) and entrance to Vindolanda Roman Army Museum.
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.
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
We apologise, but we cannot accommodate children under 5 years old on our tours. Children under 18 need to be accompanied by an adult. Please note that if this policy is not followed, we will have to refuse travel without issuing a refund. Thank you for understanding
Booking three or more people? We can accommodate up to 8 guests in a group, please add each required room to your basket separately
Luggage Allowance: You're restricted to 20kg of luggage (44lbs); one medium sized suitcase/bag similar to airline standard carry-on luggage (approximately 55cm x 45cm x 25cm / 22in x 17in x 10in) plus a small bag for onboard personal items.
Lake Windermere Cruise - We reserve tickets for you. Included in the tour price.
Vindolanda Roman Fort and Museum- We reserve tickets for you. Included in the tour price.
Bamburgh Castle - We reserve tickets for you. Included in the tour price.
B&Bs tend to be located on the outskirts of towns and you should be prepared for a 20-30 minute walk to local facilities like pubs and restaurants. If you have difficulty with stairs, please mention it to us as lifts will not be available in this type of property.
Hotels usually have a relatively central location but may be up to a 20-30 minute walk from local facilities. If you have difficulty with stairs, please let us know so that we can either book a ground floor room or a hotel with lift access, if available.
If you cancel at least 21 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.<br>If you cancel within 21 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.
Overnight in York.
Check-in at least 15 mins in advance inside Edinburgh Bus Station, Gate J & K and meet with your driver guide for this tour.
Berwick upon Tweed
We travel through East Lothian, the region graced with golden sands, rolling hills, and vibrant towns and stop along the way for photos. As we leave Scotland, the dramatic coastline and rolling hills give way to the charm of Berwick-upon-Tweed, a town steeped in stories, where we stop for photos. Over the centuries, it changed hands between Scotland and England at least 13 times, making it a historic battleground of power and identity. Today, the town wears its history proudly, with its iconic Elizabethan walls, medieval bridges, and charming streets offering a glimpse into its storied past. We continue south along the coast of Northumberland to visit Bamburgh Castle.
Bamburgh Castle
This immense seaside fortress has stood guard over the Northumberland coastline for over 1400 years and is one of the largest inhabited castles in the country. Take time to explore its rich history, from its origins as an Anglo-Saxon royal stronghold to its later role in medieval battles. Also, make sure to venture across the dunes to the stunning Bamburgh beach and have some local specialties for lunch before we resume our adventure.
York
We arrive in the historic city of York, a place where ancient history blends seamlessly with modern charm . As evening falls, the city comes alive with a magical atmosphere. We stay here for two nights so you can wander through the lit cobbled streets of The Shambles, visit one of the city's cosy pubs, or take a walk along the medieval city walls.
Overnight in York.
BREAKFAST
Breakfast
York
Today you can decide what you want to do. You can choose to spend the day exploring the medieval heart of York, an ancient city with a colourful history dating back to the times of the Romans, Vikings, and Normans.
North York Moors National Park
Alternatively, you can journey out with your guide on a half-day excursion to the magnificent North York Moors National Park.
Robin Hoods Bay
This beautifully preserved fishing village offers a stunning contrast between its pretty cottages and rugged cliffside setting.
Overnight in Keswick.
BREAKFAST
Breakfast
You're picked up from your accommodation and head west into the Yorkshire Dales National Park. Established in 1954, the Yorkshire Dales National Park has outstanding scenery, a range of wildlife habitats, and rich cultural heritage. It's a special place a fantastic outdoor arena for recreation and relaxation and a haven for wildlife.
Aysgarth Falls
Your driver-guide takes you to some of the hidden gems of the national park, like the romantic ruins of Jervaulx Abbey. Next, you also have an option to immerse yourself in nature on a walk to the dramatic Aysgarth Falls, that featured in the 1991 film Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves. Enjoy breathtaking views of the surrounding Yorkshire Dales landscape as you follow the trail to the three stunning waterfalls cascading over limestone steps.
Hawes
Food lovers will enjoy visiting Hawes, a charming Yorkshire Dales town and home of Wensleydale cheese. During our lunch stop, explore the Wensleydale Creamery, watch cheese-making in action, and sample its delights. Stroll the cobbled alleys before we journey through scenic countryside, pausing for photos en route to Appleby-in-Westmorland. This historic market town features sandstone cottages and the imposing Appleby Castle, rich with stories of the past. Finally, we enter the Lake District National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where rugged mountains and serene lakes reflect the timeless beauty immortalized by the Lake Poets.
Keswick
As evening approaches, we arrive in the vibrant market town of Keswick by Derwentwater, where you'll be dropped off at your accommodation and have free time to explore the charming town. Enjoy a stroll around Derwentwater to take in the stunning sunset views, catch a performance at the Theatre by the Lake, or eat out at the town's diverse restaurants and pubs.
Overnight in Keswick.
BREAKFAST
Breakfast
Castlerigg Stone Circle
We start the day by touching the past at the mysterious Castlerigg stone circle. Believed to be over 5,000 years old, this ancient site was once a lively hub of pagan rituals. Then it's time to get close to nature and go for an optional forest walk to witness the majestic Aira Force waterfall. This enchanting 65-foot waterfall is surrounded by lush woodland, offering a peaceful retreat and stunning scenery.
We travel along scenic, winding lanes, passing through the charming villages and majestic mountains to our next destination, the picturesque Lake Windermere and Bowness-on-Windermere, where we'll stop for lunch. You're free to explore this quaint lakeside village as you wish. Options include a leisurely lunch and then a lake cruise, or a visit to the Beatrix Potter attraction to learn about the renowned author and conservationist.
Hawkshead
Next, visit Hawkshead, where William Wordsworth attended school. Stroll its cobbled streets, lined with whitewashed cottages, quaint shops, and tearooms. We'll then take narrow country lanes north to Grasmere, described by Wordsworth as “the loveliest spot that man hath found.” Spend your free time visiting Wordsworth's Dove Cottage, sampling the famous gingerbread, or relaxing in the Wordsworth Daffodil Garden.
Keswick
After a day spent exploring the most beautiful sites in the Lake District National Park, we return to Keswick early in the evening. It's your second night here, so you can enjoy a leisurely meal in one of the town's welcoming pubs or restaurants, many serving locally-sourced food and craft ales.
BREAKFAST
Breakfast
Steel Rigg
We say farewell to the Lake District with its dramatic fells, shimmering lakes, and rolling green valleys, and travel through some of northern England's most stunning and diverse landscapes. As we travel northeast, the scenery transitions to the rugged beauty of the North Pennines, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, with its windswept moorlands and secluded dales. The tour continues toward Hadrian's Wall, stopping at Steel Rigg. You'll have time to walk beside the wall and feel the isolation that Roman soldiers experienced while guarding against the ‘barbarians' to the north. As you journey along the wall, your guide will recommend the best sites to visit.
Vindolanda
Next is an optional activity: exploring the archaeological site of Vindolanda, where you can step into the lives of those at this Roman fort. Years of excavation have uncovered incredible artifacts, from shoes and jewelry to bones and pottery. Explore the well-preserved ruins and have your lunch in this fascinating site before we continue with our adventure. Heading north, we stop at Carter Bar on the edge of the Cheviot Hills, a historic border crossing between England and Scotland. Traveling through the scenic Scottish Borders, with its rolling hills, ancient abbeys, and charming villages, we pause in Jedburgh, home to the impressive 12th-century Augustinian Abbey.
Entrance Fee: Vindolanda Roman Army Museum
Small group tour (16 people max)
Entrance Fee: Windermere Lake Cruise
Entrance Fee: Bamburgh Castle
4 nights in B&B or 3-star Hotel accommodation (en-suite rooms with breakfasts)
Transport by top of the range Mercedes mini-coach
Professional guide/driver
Food and drinks, unless specified
Gratuities
Admission fees: Unless specified
Twin en-suite room with breakfast in a B&B (2 x separate single beds).
Twin en-suite room with breakfast in a 3-star Hotel (2 x separate single beds).
Accommodates 1 person in one single en-suite room with breakfast in a B&B (1 x single bed).
Double en-suite room with breakfast in a 3-star Hotel (1 large bed).
Accommodates 1 person in a single en-suite room with breakfast in a 3-star Hotel (1 x single bed).
Double en-suite room with breakfast in a B&B (1 large bed).
13 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Robert F,,Sep 9, 2024
- Review from Viator
Our tour was great and our guide, Andy D, was very knowledgeable and engaged with his group in a fun and informative way.
karonb747,,Aug 26, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
Andy was supper. He new his history of all the places we went to. Kept us laughing. I would recommend this tour. The sight seeing was magnificent.
Brian R,,Sep 5, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
This was our first time traveling with Rabbies and this experience confirmed all the positive things we heard about this company. Our driver Dom was absolutely the best. I’d have a hard time believing there are better. Dom shared a wealth of knowledge across a variety of topics and did it in a way that was fun and memorable. He is a true professional! We look forward to more Rabbies tours in the future.
Roger M,,Aug 2, 2022
- Review from Viator
We had our trip canceled 18 hours prior to start leaving us without accommodations for four days as an option or join this above tour to give us a place to sleep. I don’t believe our Iona Mull trip was canceled for lack of accommodations on one of the nights. I think it was a low show as this 5Day Dales but us forced in made it financially acceptable to Rabbies. DECUSSATING, Our original trip was planned with purpose. To.capture that trip will cost us thousands of dollars. What a tragedy. Rabbies is off our list of usable contractors.
J6079KEjoyceg,,May 20, 2022
- Review from Tripadvisor
This was a wonderful tour! Barney was our tour guide and he was great. Very funny, friendly, and very knowledgeable about the areas and the history. Saw some beautiful areas of England, just a small amount of Scotland on this tour. Would highly recommend!










Milton P,,Oct 20, 2019
- Review from Tripadvisor
We could not have been more pleased with our Rabbie's tour. Our tour guide, Dom, was fun to be with, very knowledgable, and thoughtful. The itinerary was excellent, and we enjoyed everything we saw. I can't think of anything that could have been improved upon, except the weather--if only tour operators had some control over that!!
orna k,,Aug 8, 2019
- Review from Tripadvisor
Actually this was an 8 day tour from London to Edinburgh. We love Don our guide who told us amazing stories and was knowledgeable. we loved the timeline and the balance between activity and rest. of course we loved the itinerary.
Richard F,,Jun 5, 2019
- Review from Tripadvisor
A wonderful 5 days where we were able to explore the country roads and villages not just drive on main roads. Martin our driver was very entertaining and informative and allowed the trip to be flexible wherever possible. Accommodation was first rate and we left the tour feeling it had totally met our expectations. The small group number was an added bonus.
jmeggett,,Apr 19, 2019
- Review from Tripadvisor
The tour was well-planned yet allowed for flexibility, and our kind tour guide Dom was full of fascinating information and entertaining, as well. For me, the highlights were York Minster, a cruise on Lake Windermere, and the beautiful Yorkshire Dales. I highly recommend.
Robin D,,Oct 18, 2018
- Review from Tripadvisor
My daughter and I were on a 5 day tour in the Lake district and my daughter became very ill. We had no choice but to drop off the tour. I called Rabbie's for assistance to help us get back to Edinburgh since we were in a town 40 minutes from a train station. The staff was so accommodating and they were able to have another tour guide pick up us the next day. I couldn't have been more grateful and thought what great customer service. The tour guide Jeff was so kind to call us at the hotel and pick us up the next day. We were able to pick up our tour and arrive safely in Edinburgh. I will always recommend this tour company to any of my friends!
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