York, the Dales, Lake District & Hadrian's Wall
5 day tour
Venture to the heart of Northern England on this comprehensive tour of the North’s scenic and cultural splendour.
Tour map
Tour Highlights
Bamburgh Castle - Discover why this stunning seaside castle is known as England's finest coastal fortress.
York Minster - Majestic Gothic spires reach up into the York sky on one of Europe’s largest cathedrals, a focal point for dramatic events throughout English history.
Robin Hood’s Bay - This beautifully preserved fishing village offers a stunning contrast between its pretty cottages and rugged cliffside setting.
Yorkshire Dales - The fiercely rugged and verdant expanse is a haven for plant species and hosts some of the UK’s most diverse wildlife, with the beautiful Gothic-influenced city of York at its centre.
Wordsworth’s Cottage - Famed abode of the poet William Wordsworth and the refuge where he produced some of his greatest works, this cottage is full of the great man’s secrets and truths.
Lake Windermere - Spiritual home to Beatrix Potter’s fabulous stories, the largest natural lake in England provides historical and natural fascination.
Scottish Borders - Explore from the ancient boundary of Hadrian’s Wall to the great city of Edinburgh.
Your journey
Explore the cultural highlights and scenic peaks of Northern England on this five-day tour.
Roam from the dramatic Yorkshire Dales to the North’s powerful castles and halls. Ascend to the tip of a gothic cathedral’s spires before delving into the nooks and crannies of valley villages. And relive the scenes of fierce conflicts as you wander Hadrian’s Wall.
Picturesque bays, broad lakes, and stunning buildings are guaranteed on this comprehensive tour of the English landscape.
Tour Details
Check-in closes at 09:00 (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
19:00 - Edinburgh Bus Station Drop Off, George St / St. Andrews Square area, (Within 5 mins of Edinburgh Bus Station), Edinburgh,
You're restricted to 20kg (44lbs) of luggage per person. This should be one piece of luggage similar to an airline carry-on bag (approximately 55cm x 45cm x 25cm / 22in x 17in x 10in) and a small bag for onboard personal items.
Students, seniors over 60, and children between 5 and 15 (unfortunately, we don't carry children under 5 years old)
- Pack your waterproof clothing and walking shoes
- Some attraction tickets can be purchased in advance when you book your tour. You’ll have the option to add at check-out. Other attractions will not be available to book beforehand, instead you can purchase those while on tour.
- All ferry and bridge crossings
- Transport in a 16 seat Mercedes mini-coach
- Air conditioning as standard
- The stories and services of an English-speaking driver-guide
- Tour accommodation
Itinerary
Day 1
- Travel along the beautiful coast of East Lothian and Northumberland
- Explore the stunning Bamburgh Castle, known as England's finest coastal fortress
You depart the cosmopolitan city of Edinburgh and follow the magnificent East Lothian coastline towards the walled border town of Berwick-upon-Tweed.
After stopping to admire the fortifications, you continue to Bamburgh Castle. This immsense seaside fortress has stood guard over the Northumberland coastline for over 1400 years and is one of the largest inhabited castles in the country.
Leaving Bamburgh behind, you travel towards the city of York on the Great North Road, a route that has carried countless Roman legions between the remote Northern outposts and the more populous settlements of Roman Britannia. In the late afternoon, you arrive in York, your base for the next two nights.
Day 2
- Visit a magnificent cathedral and learn about the Viking past in York
- Explore two essential harbour towns at Whitby and Robin Hood’s Bay
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. There's much to see and do: you can visit a chocolate museum, find out about the Vikings, or even just stroll around the ancient walls.
Alternatively, you can journey out with your guide on a half-day excursion to the magnificent North York Moors National Park. Your next stop is Whitby, a bustling fishing port and inspiration for the imagination of Bram Stoker, who stayed here in a hotel while writing his famous novel Dracula.
After lunch and free time in Whitby, you travel to the fishing village of Robin Hood’s Bay*. They doubt if the real Robin Hood ever came here, but there are still plenty of smugglers tales dotted around this remarkable harbour village. You then return to York in the early evening.
Whichever option you choose, you spend your evening enjoying the sights and sounds of York.
*Robin Hood's Bay - The mini-coach cannot access the main village because of local restrictions. The coach will drop you off at the top of the village and you must walk down (and back up!) a steep hill to reach the old village centre.
Day 3
- Admire the rolling hills and green valleys of Yorkshire Dales National Park
- Hear about the farming heritage of the Northern Dales
You're picked up from your accommodation and head west into the heart of 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.
Continuing west, the route takes you through the Northern Dales - the centre of the Dales cattle trade.
The final leg of today’s journey takes you high up into the remote hills of the Yorkshire Dales before descending into the lively market town of Keswick where you're dropped off at your accommodation and have free time to explore this charming town.
Day 4
- Take as many photographs as you can at ‘England’s most beautiful lake’, Ullswater
- Stare in wonder at the views on an optional boat trip, Lake Windermere
After breakfast, you head a short distance out of town to the mysterious Castlerigg standing stones. Many people think these were placed here over 5,000 years ago and were once a lively hub of ancient pagan rituals.
You then travel on to the shores of Ullswater, known as England’s most beautiful lake. Here, you can take a forest walk to see the mighty Aira Force waterfall. Continuing south over the narrow and winding Kirkstone Pass, you stop at Lake Windermere where you have the option to take a leisurely cruise on the lake or simply eat lunch while enjoying views of the mountains and lakes.
After lunch, you travel around the southern tip of Windermere and on towards the picturesque conservation village of Hawkshead, where the poet William Wordsworth attended Grammar School.
After free time to explore the village, you take the narrow country lanes north towards Grasmere, which Wordsworth described as “the loveliest spot that man hath found”. There's free time to visit Wordsworth’s Dove Cottage, taste the legendary gingerbread, or enjoy the peace and tranquillity of the Wordsworth Daffodil Garden by the River Rothy.
In the late afternoon, you return to Keswick.
Day 5
- Follow in the footsteps of Roman Centurions at the Hadrian’s Wall
- Take in the stunning landscape of the Scottish Borders at the famous Scott’s View
Leaving the lakes behind, you start the climb towards Hartside Pass, at over 1,900ft. On a clear day, the hills and mountains of Scotland and the English Lake District are clearly visible. You follow the route of the old sheep drovers between England and Scotland.
Stopping at Hadrian's Wall, there’s an opportunity to explore some of the Roman remains and walk in the footsteps of the Roman Centurions who patrolled this desolate frontier of the Empire. You then travel along the ancient Roman Dere Street, cross the border into Scotland, and head to the border town of Jedburgh for refreshments by the ruins of Jedburgh Abbey.
Your final stop is at the world-famous Scott’s View with stunning views over the River Tweed and the Cheviot Hills before continuing north to Edinburgh.
Attractions
Tour Attractions
You are able to pre-purchase entrance tickets to the following attractions at the time of booking:
- Bamburgh Castle
- Windermere Lake Cruises
- Vindolanda and Roman Army Museum
Other attractions may be booked and paid locally during the tour.
Accommodation
Where does this tour stay overnight?
You stay two nights in the historic city of York and two nights in Keswick in the heart of the Lake District.
How can I book accommodation?
Accommodation is not included in the price of your tour. To book accommodation, there are two options: either Rabbie’s Tours can book it for you, or you can book your own. For information on how to do this, please see the ‘Accommodation’ tab on FAQ page HERE.
Alternatively, please email us your questions at tours@rabbies.com or call us on +44(0)131 226 3133.
Information you can find on the FAQ page, under the ‘Accommodation’ tab: types of accommodation, room types, the booking process, getting to and from your accommodation, and cancellation terms.
How much will the accommodation cost?
We book accommodation with third-party providers on your behalf and each property sets their own rates. Rates vary considerably depending on the accommodation standard, facilities, location, and local demand. We therefore can’t tell you exactly how much your accommodation will cost until your request has been allocated to a specific property.
As a guide, you can expect to pay the following prices, per person per night:
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Approximate prices, per person per night |
Overnight Location |
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Sole Occupancy |
Multiple Occupancy |
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(1 person per room) |
(2+ people per room) |
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B&B Standard |
£80 - £120 |
£60 - £80 |
UK & Northern Ireland |
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€80 - €120 |
€60 - €80 |
Ireland |
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B&B En-suite |
£100 - £145 |
£55 - £95 |
UK & Northern Ireland |
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€100 - €145 |
€55 - €100 |
Ireland |
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Hotel |
£110 - £190 |
£75 - £150 |
UK & Northern Ireland |
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€130 - €235 |
€75 - €150 |
Ireland |
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NOTE: Prices quoted are for guidance only and may be higher on some occasions, especially for last-minute bookings and when demand is high (E.g. peak season, weekends, holidays, special events etc)
Breakfast will be included unless otherwise noted. The type of breakfast provided will vary from place to place so you may receive either a full cooked breakfast, a continental style breakfast (E.g., toast, fruit, cereal), or a packed breakfast bag or tray (E.g., porridge pot, fruit, granola bar).
FAQs
Do you offer hotel pickups in the departure cities?
The UK and Ireland's historic city centres are full of narrow streets and winding roads. So, to speed up your departure, we only pick up from our central meeting points. What's more is leaving the city using the most direct route also reduces the carbon footprint of our tours.
Is there parking close to the departure point?
We don't recommend bringing your car into the centre of our departure cities. It can be hard to find parking, and there are excellent public transportation services.
When should I get to the departure point?
Arrive 15 minutes before your departure time. Due to waiting restrictions, we can't wait for you if you're late.
What happens if I'm late or miss the tour?
If you're late for your tour, our cancellation policy applies. 100% charges are applicable, and you will not be entitled to a refund or alternative.
What are your cancellation policies?
Your cancellation terms depend on which tour you've booked.
For one-day tours: You'll receive a full refund if you cancel 24 hours or more before the tour departure
For tours of between two and nine days: You'll receive a 90% refund if you cancel 15 or more days before the tour departure
For tours of 10 or more days: You'll receive a 90% refund if you cancel 21 or more days before the tour departure
For all European packaged tours: You'll receive a 90% refund if you cancel 42 days before the tour departure.
If you cancel inside these notice periods, full charges will apply and no refunds will be issued.
To cancel your booking, email tours@rabbies.com as soon as possible. The effective date of cancellation will be the date we receive written confirmation from you.
Click here to view terms and conditions
Can Itineraries change?
Your tour will always follow the itinerary as closely as possible. Your driver-guide will keep you up to date on the road, and we'll try to get in touch about any large changes prior to your departure.
Can I pre-book a specific seat?
Due to logistical reasons, we're unable to let you pre-book a seat on the bus. But our comfortable 16-seat mini-coaches have huge windows. So, you'll always get a good view.
Are there toilets on the bus?
Unfortunately, we have no on-board toilet facilities, but you'll have regular comfort breaks.
How do you cater for people with accessibility needs?
We aim to accommodate everyone. To read more information on how we do this, click here to go to our accessibility guide.
Do you take children on your tours?
We regret we don't carry children under the age of five on our scheduled tours.
You can ask us about the tours we recommend for younger children. And if your child is less than 1.35m tall, you should let us know, so we can provide them with a suitable booster seat.
How much time do I get off the bus?
We want you to enjoy Britain and Ireland. And we believe the best way to do this is to get you off the mini-coach and out exploring. So, we give you plenty of time to take photos, go walking, and explore ancient ruins.
Why do you exclude visitor attractions?
We exclude visitor attractions in your tour price because it lets you travel your way. It means you can pamper yourself with a luxury lunch or skip an attraction whenever you feel like it.
Do we need to bring our own lunch?
You don't need to. We stop in small towns, villages, and rural eateries where you can choose whatever meal pleases both your taste buds and your budget.
Should I tip the driver-guide?
Let's be honest, our driver-guides would never refuse a cheeky bonus. But it's up to you, and the amount is entirely at your discretion.
What about travel insurance?
We advise you take out travel insurance.
What is ABTOT?
You're protected by ABTOT when you chose to let us reserve your accommodation on a multi-day tour. This means you can claim back anything you've paid us if we become bankrupt. Read our terms and conditions for more information.
I have more questions, who can help me?
If you have any more questions, call us on +44(0)131 226 3133, email tours@rabbies.com , or check out our full FAQs .