York, the Dales, Lake District & Hadrian's Wall
Venture to the heart of Northern England on this comprehensive tour of the North's scenic and cultural splendour.
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.
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.
Check-in closes at 09:00 (tour departs at 09:15) - Edinburgh Bus Station Pick Up, Gate J and Gate K, Edinburgh Bus Station, St Andrew Square, Edinburgh, EH1 3DQ
19:00 - Edinburgh Bus Station Drop Off, Gate J and Gate K, Edinburgh Bus Station, St Andrew Square, Edinburgh, EH1 3DQ
You're restricted to 20kg (44lbs) of luggage per person. This may consist of a small bag for onboard personal items and a larger suitcase or rucksack.
All ferry and bridge crossings
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 does the accommodation work?
Your tour excludes accommodation; but when you book, you can ask us to reserve local accommodation for you, or you can choose to reserve your own accommodation in the overnight locations.
I want Rabbie's to book my accommodation, what happens now?
Once you've booked your tour, we'll reserve all your accommodation, and your driver will drop you off with your hosts.
We'll reserve your room(s) with one of our preferred accommodation suppliers and you'll pay them directly when you check-in. Most accommodation hosts don't accept credit cards, so be prepared to pay cash.
You won't be able to choose which Hotel/B&B you stay in, but we will confirm the named property and exact prices on your first day of tour. If it's important for you to know where you're going to be staying in advance, or if you want to stay in a specific Hotel/B&B, we recommend that you select the option to book your own accommodation.
What if I want to change my accommodation booking with Rabbie's?
Plans can change, so we let you alter your accommodation choices for free within the first 48 hours of booking. After this time, amendments aren't guaranteed and carry a surcharge. Please contact rooms@rabbies.com if you have any questions.
I booked my own accommodation is there anything I need to do?
You'll need to contact us with your accommodation details. Please only reserve accommodation within the overnight towns that your tour stops in. Your driver will drop you off at your chosen accommodation as long as it's relatively central.
What if I cancel my tour at short notice?
You may be liable for the cost of your first nights' accommodation for each separate accommodation booked. If you cancel less than three days before departure, you may be liable for all your accommodation costs.
What are the accommodation types?
We try to reserve accommodation that's no more than a 20-minute walk from the town centre. We regularly check our accommodation suppliers to ensure they reach a certain standard.
The prices below are for guidance only and are based on 2022 rates. We're working with suppliers to bring you the most up to date pricing for tours departing in 2023.
B&B (Bed and Breakfast) Standard
The toilet and showering facilities are shared with at least one other room in the house, and the price includes breakfast. The cost is £35 - £50 per person per night based on shared accommodation. A single standard room is £40 - £70 per night.
B&B En suite
The showering and toilet facilities are private, and breakfast is included in the price. The cost is £45 - £65 per person per night based on shared accommodation. A single en suite is £75 - £90 per night.
Hotels have a bar or restaurant and provide evening meals. Breakfast is included in the price. The cost is £75 - £90 per person per night based on shared accommodation. A single is £90 - £150 per night.
Please note, we're unable to book hostels for this tour at the moment. You may still be able to book hostel accommodation yourself if you choose to the option to book your own accommodation for your tour.
A hostel consists of dormitory rooms with 4 to 16 bunk beds. The bathroom facilities are a short distance from the dorm room. Kitchen facilities are equipped so you can make your own meals. The cost based on dorm beds is £19 - £30 per person per night.
Please note that SYHA hostels only offer same gender dorms. Some independent hostels will offer mixed rooms (males and females together).
If you have any more questions, you can read our FAQs, call us on +44(0)131 226 3133, or email rooms@rabbies.com.
Prices from £356.00