What’s included
What’s not included
Additional information
Itinerary
Borders Country, Vera’s Northumbria & Barnard Castle
From a morning pickup in your local area, we travel by coach to our hotel.
Borders Country, Vera’s Northumbria & Barnard Castle
We travel to the Tyneside coast to step into the dramatic world of the crime drama, Vera. Our tour with a local specialist guide takes us to the various filming locations scattered along the coast, such as Alnmouth, Amble, Seaton Sluice, Whitley Bay, Cullercoats and Tynemouth, among others. All of these atmospheric destinations were chosen for their distinctive seascapes and waterfront towns, which provide the perfect setting for the no-nonsense DCI Stanhope’s many compelling investigations.
We cap off our tour with free time in Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Ranked among the best cities to visit in the UK, Newcastle has been featured extensively in Vera due to its unique and metropolitan appearance.
Full Day
Borders Country, Vera’s Northumbria & Barnard Castle
We begin our day with a scenic tour through the rugged landscapes of the Durham Dales and North Pennines with a local specialist, providing us with a dramatic view of the moorlands, valleys and rivers that have earned the region recognition as an Area of Outstanding Beauty. Our first visit is to Blanchland, one of the most beautiful villages of the North Pennines, nestled on the banks of the River Derwent.
Afterwards, we continue to the charming market town of Barnard Castle, known locally as ‘Barney’. Taking its name from the actual castle it grew around, the town is a popular sightseeing destination due to its incredible scenery and the wealth of history on display, the highlight of which is the castle itself, an intimidating 12th-century fortress which sits atop a high rock overlooking the town below (entry not included). There’s time to explore and enjoy one of the lovely restaurants and cafés here. Our return journey includes a photo stop at the Angel of the North en route back to our hotel – a must-see while in this region!
Full Day
Borders Country, Vera’s Northumbria & Barnard Castle
The romantic landscapes at the end of England await as we embark on a guided tour to enjoy tales of the turbulent history of the Scottish Borders. We travel up through the Northumberland National Park close to the Cheviot Hills, past picturesque Ford and Etal, before crossing the River Tweed at Coldstream into Scotland. Here, we stop at the picturesque market town of Kelso where there’s free time to have a spot of lunch and the chance to explore the fine ruins of its historic abbey, whose former gardens are now known as The Square, the largest market square in Scotland. Our journey continues through the beautiful borderlands where, we have another break in the colourful town of Jedburgh, before re-crossing the border back into England and travelling across the Northumberland Moors as we return to our hotel.
Full Day
Borders Country, Vera’s Northumbria & Barnard Castle
After breakfast, we check out of the hotel and board the coach for the journey home.
Borders Country Tour: Ford, Etal, Coldstream, Kelso & Jedburgh
Journey through the Cheviot Hills and Northumberland National Park on a guided Borders Country tour, linking Ford and Etal before crossing the River Tweed at Coldstream. Spend time in Kelso to wander The Square and admire Kelso Abbey, then follow rolling roads to Jedburgh.
Trace centuries of reiving and skirmishes along this frontier. Learn how Coldstream gave its name to the Coldstream Guards, and how Jedburgh’s red-sandstone abbey recalls a visit by Mary, Queen of Scots. Broad panoramas and camera-ready pauses pair pastoral calm with a storied past.
Angel of the North Photo Stop
Pause for a photo stop at the Angel of the North, Antony Gormley’s monumental sculpture above Gateshead. Stand beneath its sweeping wingspan of 54 metres and the warm patina of weathering steel, appreciating the scale against open skies.
Created in 1998, the Angel nods to the North East’s coal and steel heritage while looking to the future. From its hillside plinth you can frame views across the Team Valley and examine the ribbed plates and bolts up close—details that reward a slow look as much as a quick photo.
Durham Dales & North Pennines: Blanchland and Barnard Castle
Discover high moorlands, heather and stone villages on a guided scenic tour through the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Wander the abbey-founded village of Blanchland, then continue to Barnard Castle beside the River Tees to explore cobbled streets and views toward the castle ruins (entry not included).
Hear how lead-mining and packhorse routes shaped these uplands. Learn how Barnard Castle grew from a 12th-century Norman stronghold over the Tees Gorge, and sense the shift from open fells to dales as lanes thread between drystone walls and meadows.
Vera’s Northumbria Coastal Tour: Alnmouth to Tynemouth
Explore the Tyneside and Northumberland shoreline on a guided coastal tour of ITV’s Vera locations. Take in Amble’s harbour and the estuary at Alnmouth, then stroll Victorian promenades at Whitley Bay and Cullercoats. Pause for views of Tynemouth Priory & Castle and St Mary’s Lighthouse.
Hear how DCI Vera Stanhope treats this rugged coast as a character in its own right. Your specialist guide shares tales of fishing cobles, lifeboats and shipbuilding, showing how stark skies and tight-knit communities give Northumbria its distinctive mood on screen and in life.
