The Northumberland and East Lothian Coast Islands, Castles, Houses and Gardens and the Royal Yacht Britannia From the Macdonald Linden Hall, Morpeth and The Macdonald Marine Hotel, North Berwick. 2 – 8 September 2012 (six nights in 4 star hotels)

The tour outline: An opportunity to enjoy and leisurely explore the beautiful North-East coast.  Three nights in Northumberland, staying at the Macdonald Linden Hall near Morpeth, with visits to Holy Island and Lindsfarne, the castles of Bamburgh and Chillingham and the remarkable gardens at Alnwick Castle. Then travelling north via the little villages of Ford and Etal to see Lady Waterford Hall and the magnificent mansion at Manderston near Berwick on Tweed. Stay for three nights north of the border at the Macdonald Marine Hotel in North Berwick, from where private visits will be made to the great family houses of Lennoxlove and Arniston, together with a visit to the Royal Yacht Britannia  in Leith Docks, and (weather permitting) a boat trip from North Berwick out to Bass Rock. Enjoy  the little town of North Berwick and scenic drives along the coast to Gullane and Dirleton Castle.  Returning south with a break at Paxton House, a Palladian mansion with numerous works of art from the collection of the National Museum of Scotland.  The coach will drop at the station at Berwick upon Tweed for those that wish to catch the 2 pm fast train on the East Coast Line from Berwick upon Tweed, others return to Linden Hall for your cars. Click here for much fuller details of all the places and hotels that are included. The Itinerary Sunday 2 September:  Check into the Macdonald Linden Hall, Longhorsley. Cars can be left here for the duration of the tour.  A shared taxi can be arranged from Morpeth Station to the hotel. Welcome drink before dinner. Monday 3 September:  Private morning visit to Chillingham Castle before continuing to Alnwick to visit the magnificent gardens or, if you prefer, the Castle. Tuesday 4 September:  In accordance with the tides, a morning visit to Holy Island. Visit Lindisfarne Castle, enjoy the village and spectacular scenery. Lunch can be found in the village. Afternoon visit to Bamburgh Castle. Wednesday 5 September:  Check out of the hotel and journey north.  A morning stop at Lady Waterford Hall with refreshments before continuing to Manderston.  A light lunch will have been arranged followed by a visit to the house and gardens.  Continue on to the Macdonald Marine Hotel in North Berwick.  Check into your rooms and enjoy a welcome drink before dinner. Thursday 6 September:  A morning visit to Lennoxlove with refreshments; return to North Berwick with time at leisure to explore and find lunch. Mid-afternoon boat trip out to Bass Rock to view the seabirds. (If necessary there is an alternative inclement weather plan!).  Friday 7 September:  Venturing a little further inland a private visit to Arniston House, escorted by a member of the family and followed by refreshments.  Continue then to Leith where lunch may be found prior to a visit to the Royal Yacht Britannia at Leith Docks.  Scenic drive back along the coast. Saturday 8 September:  Check out of the hotel. A visit to Paxton House, conveniently close to Berwick on Tweed where those who wish to return by train can catch the 2 pm train to Newcastle, York, Peterborough and Kings Cross.  The remainder of the group will return to Linden Hall arriving approximately 3 pm to collect cars for departure. The Tour Costs Price per person  £855 Single supplement £18 per night (£108) Non-refundable deposit £120 pp Sea-view rooms if available at the Marine Hotel carry a supplement of £30 per room per night. Tour Price includes: 6 nights accommodation, full English/Scottish breakfast and dinner. All entries to houses, gardens, castles and boat trips Lunch at Manderston House and refreshments where stated. Executive coaching Heritage Touring representative and guide Nearest train station Morpeth (East Coast Main line) occasional direct train otherwise change Newcastle (hourly) or York.  Special hotels rates available for extra nights 23 and 26 Aug if required – enquire when booking. There are no great distances to travel on this tour. It is designed to give time to enjoy the different places visited and to relax in the hotels. Holy Island may require some walking but this is at your discretion.   Macdonald Linden Hall, near Morpeth The Macdonald Marine Hotel, North Berwick. Two 4 star hotels in great locations – 3 nights in each

Full details on places and hotels included in this tour:

Macdonald Linden Hall, Longhorsley, Morpeth
Built by Charles William Bigge in 1812, the hotel is surrounded by 450 acres of private grounds at the heart of the Northumberland countryside.  Award winning restaurant, full leisure facilities, indoor heated swimming pool and 18 hole golf course.

Macdonald Marine Hotel and Spa , North Berwick  Positioned on Scotland's stunning East Coast, this is one of the best-known seaside hotels in Scotland. Newly refurbished, an award-winning restaurant and a luxury leisure complex.

Bamburgh Castle  A spectacular castle with fantastic coastal views overlooking the Farne Islands and Lindisfarne.  The stunning Kings Hall and Keep house collections of armour, artwork, porcelain and furniture.

Chillingham Castle  Considered to be the most unconventional of Northumberland’s castles, once a crumbling ruin but rescued by an English eccentric whose whimsical collections have breathed new life into the building.

Alnwick Castle and Garden It was the Duchess of Northumberland's dream to transform a large derelict walled garden into a magnificent contemporary one.  The garden continues to evolve and there is always more to see.  Alternatively visit the castle, family home of the Duke of Northumberland and one of the largest inhabited castles in England with magnificent State Rooms.  Recently renowned as the film set for the Harry Potter films.

Holy Island Originally known as Lindisfarne and a jewel on the Northumberland Coast. It is only accessible across a 3 mile causeway at low tide.  Lindisfarne Castle was purchased in 1901 by Edward Hudson, the founder of Country Life magazine, Hudson commissioned the architect Edward Lutyens to transform the castle into a home – there is a small garden designed by Gertrude Jekyll.   Enjoy the village and heritage centre or just soak up the special atmosphere.   For the more energetic you can walk the mile and a half to the castle but normally there is a shuttle bus from the car park.

Lady Waterford Hall Commissioned in 1860 by Louisa Anne, Marchioness of Waterford and owner of Ford Estate; the building served as a school until 1957.  Lady Waterford was also a keen amateur painter and spent 22 years decorating the interior of the Hall with Biblical scenes as a teaching aid for pupils, using local inhabitants as her models.

Lennoxlove Dating from the 14th century and the family home of the Duke of Hamilton.  A collection of paintings and furniture reflects the myriad of family, political and social influences which have shaped Scottish history.

Bass Rock The largest of the islands and the jewel in the crown.  Home to one of Britain’s largest colonies of the North Atlantic Gannet, also guillemots, razorbills, kittiwakes and shags and the occasional seal. The hour and a half boat trip departs from North Berwick.

Arniston House Set in beautiful parkland, a magnificent Palladian style mansion house by William Adam with intricate stucco work, fascinating period furniture and beautiful portraits by contemporary Scottish artists. It has been home to the Dundas family for over 400 years.

Manderston The home of Lord and Lady Palmer, a supreme country house of Edwardian Scotland, built with no expense spared and with every modern convenience of that era. It has sumptuous staterooms, a silver staircase and stunning gardens.

Paxton House Overlooking the beautiful River Tweed, the house lies at the heart of 80 acres of riverside, woodland, parkland and gardens. This Scottish Palladian mansion was built in 1758 by John and James Adam. It includes the largest picture gallery in a Scottish country house and houses over 70 paintings from the National Galleries of Scotland

The Royal Yacht Britannia For 44 years the floating residence of The Queen and other members of the Royal Family during their many UK and overseas tours.  The fascinating audio tour of the ship reveals her rich history and provides a rare glimpse into the lives of the royal family