3
moderate
Activities
  • self guided walk
Accommodation
  • 7 nights in B&Bs
Meals
  • 7 Breakfasts

8 Days£1030GBP

View Inclusions

Overview

Trip Code: WS8

Trip highlights

  • Scotland to England Though Border Country
  • Walking the Cheviot Hills
  • Lindisfarne Castle and Priory on Holy Island
  • Optional Extension to Bamburgh

The St Cuthbert’s Way is a long-distance path that was established in 1996. The route reflects the life of this 7th century monk, extending from Melrose Abbey in the Scottish borders, where he became bishop to the island of Lindisfarne just off the coast of Northumberland in northeast England, where he was buried. So the ‘Way’ links places associated with his life. It includes a variety of delightfully unspoilt countryside: the Tweed Valley (origin of the famous woollen cloth), the Eildon Hills, the Cheviot Hills (origin of one of the most famous breeds of sheep), and the Northumberland coast with its broad horizons, sandy beaches and dramatic contrasts between high and low tide. The small historic towns en route - Melrose, Kirk Yetholm and Wooler - are equally unspoilt and offer a pleasant contrast with the thinly populated countryside. There is an abundance of historical features, including ruined abbeys at Melrose and Lindisfarne, the battle site at Harestanes Moor and old castles. The standard route is intended to be walked in 4 long days, but we have made several modifications to make the day stages slightly shorter and perhaps more interesting. The tour ends on Lindisfarne, but we recommend that if you have time, you opt for the extended tour which takes you back to the mainland and the beautiful village of Bamburgh overlooked by its grand castle and further down the coast, past the magnificent ruins of Dunstanburgh Castle to near the ancient kipper producing village of Craster.

Countries:

England

Starting Point:

Melrose

Finishing Point:

Lindisfarne

Itinerary

Expand all | Collapse all

An opportunity to explore the town and visit the Abbey church, a 12th century foundation that is now a magnificent ruin. Recent discoveries at the site include what is thought to be the heart of Robert the Bruce, buried in a lead casket. Dependent on your time of arrival it may also be possible to visit Sir Walter Scott’s former home at Abbotsford 3 miles away, using taxi or local bus service. Accommodation: We use a number of guesthouses/pubs in this busy village.

Meals:  Nil

Straight into the walk with a long rewarding day. Walk over the steep-sided Eildon Hills (402m and 404m), which provide panoramic views of the Tweed valley. Descend to Newtown St Boswells and follow the banks of the Tweed. Just across the River Tweed and accessible by a footbridge is Dryburgh Abbey, another superb ruin and the site of Sir Walter Scott’s grave. From St Boswells continue along the riverbank footpath for about 4 miles to Maxton, and then strike off along Dere Street (an ancient Roman roadway) towards Harestanes visitors centre where we have organized for a taxi to collect you and take you to your accommodation in Jedbergh, (included). Accommodation: Allerton House is a welcoming Georgian House set in a lovely, sizeable garden giving the impression that is is in the middle of the country when, in fact is only 5 mins walk to the main town.

Meals:  B

Return by taxi to Harestanes (included) and then cross the River Teviot. At Jedfoot bridge join the old Roman Road of Dere Street for a few miles until fairly near to the hamlet of Crailinghall. Next the trail passes the tower of Cessford Castle, which was built in the 15th Century by the Ker Clan and abandoned in the 17th Century. You reach the neat Borders village of Morebattle for your overnight stay. Accommodation: Templehall Hotel is a small country hotel which sits amidst the rolling landscape and valleys of the western Cheviot Hills.

Meals:  B

Today is only a relatively short day, but has a steep ascent. From Morebattle the route crosses the Kale water river before ascending steeply to Wideopen Hill 369m where the views are literally wide open! Shortly descend to stroll alongside and then cross-attractive Bowmont Water. You then come to our next night’s stop at Kirk Yetholm, just at the northern end of the Pennine Way, Britain’s first long distance trail. Accommodation: The Plough Hotel is centrally located in this small village. The Plough is officially a listed and protected building of architectural importance.

Meals:  B

Today cross the border into England. The terrain becomes hillier, the trail steeper and the views wider as you traverse the northern sector of the Cheviot Hills within the Northumberland National Park, crossing the beautiful College Valley, before descending to Wooler, a market town since the 13th century. Accommodation: Tilldale Guesthouse is a small family run establishment on the high street in this pleasant market town. The property dates back to the 17th century but offers up to date modern comforts.

Meals:  B

The route crosses the rolling terrain of Westwood and Football Moors, passing St Cuthbert’s cave, where the saint’s body was taken during the flight of the monks from Lindisfarne in 875AD after a Viking raid. You then descend through forests and agricultural land to reach Fenwick near the main road. There is a phone box here to enable you to phone the Inn where you are staying tonight in order to transfer you to Lowick. Accommodation: The White Swan Inn was originally built as a farmhouse in the early 18th century.

Meals:  B

In the morning you will be transferred back to Fenwick, from where you cross the main roads before taking the appropriately named ‘Fisher’s Back Road’ down to the causeway across the sands to Lindisfarne. The causeway is covered by the tide for up to 5 hours in every 12, so correct timing is essential. This should be preplanned when you book your holiday and we can inform you of the timings. While exploring the island you should visit the Priory ruins (12th to 16th century), and between April and September, the 16th century castle, which is filled with Flemish furniture and featured in the films ‘Macbeth’ and ‘Cul-de-Sac’ by Roman Polanski. Accommodation: Lindisfarne (Holy Island). In the only village on Holy Island, your hotel is situated in the centre. We do however have to use a number of hotels on the island due to its popularity.

Meals:  B

Depart after breakfast.

Meals:  B

Inclusions

What's included

  • 7 breakfasts
  • 7 nights accommodation on a twin share basis with ensuite facilities where available
  • One piece of luggage per person transferred from Inn to Inn, not exceeding 20kg
  • Digital information pack including route notes & maps
  • Emergency hotline
  • Transfer on day 2, 3, 6, 7
  • GPX tracks of each walk

  • Lunch, Dinner and drinks
  • Entrance fees
  • Travel insurance
  • Travel to the start and from the end point of the trip
  • Personal expenses such as laundry and phone calls
  • Unscheduled transfers required during the trip
  • Excess Luggage
  • A supplement will apply if you are travelling solo or book a single room
  • Guide - this is a self guided holiday

Accommodation

Hotels, guesthouses & country inns

The hotels described are our usual accommodation, however if these are not available then alternatives are used. Rooms generally do not have baths, the main reason being that they take up a lot of space. Some hotels/guesthouses may have a separate room in the house where a bath is available to guests, but in the main it is showers. Note that for the dates of your tour we may not be able to get you into the accommodation described. We will endeavour to get you into a similar standard of accommodation nearby, but please appreciate that there is limited accommodation in rural England. Also, although we aim to get you into accommodations with ensuite rooms, this is not always possible. At a couple of places on your tour you may be sharing bathrooms, particularly if you are in a single room.

Suitability

moderate

3

Moderate graded walk, with some steep ascents and descents and some boggy, muddy terrain. Daily distances vary between 5 miles / 8.5 km and 14 miles / 22.5 km. When walking early or late in the season, you need to be mindful of shorter daylight hours and be prepared for changeable weather conditions.

Departure dates

Daily from 20 Mar to 24 Sep

Notes

DN1
10-day version available (code WSC)
DN2
Please note that minor changes to your 2025 itinerary may apply.

Priceper person from

£1030GBP

Options & Supplements*
  • Single SupplementGBP£650
  • Solo Traveller SupplementGBP£690
*Prices listed are per person

Frequently Asked Questions

Expand all | Collapse all

It is the tide times on going over to Holy Island/Lindisfarne Castle via the causeway on day 7 and returning to the mainland on day 8. Before you finalise your start date, our team will have to find out for you whether you can get on and off the island at a convenient time.

Indeed, and although not directly on St. Cuthbert's Way, it might be worth the extra effort it takes to get to the Farne Islands. To get there, you need to travel on from Lindisfarne to a village called Seahouses. In reasonable weather, this is where the Billy Shiel's boat tours go throughout the day. It is worth booking an extra night or two in either Seahouses, or Craster from where there are busses to Seahouses. There are various boat tours and itineraries you can choose from and our team can support with arrangements if you wish.

It is because there is a dearth of accommodations in a couple of places, as the route crosses the countryside and we do not want to give in on quality of your accommodation either.

You start the St. Cuthbert's Way in Melrose, Scotland and cross the English border about half way along the route, just after Kirk Yetholm. Your walk then continues in England and finishes in Craster/Dunstan (10-day tour) or Holy Island (8-day tour).

Yes, you'll be walking in a part of England & Scotland where you need to be prepared for whatever weather nature throws at you. This is especially important when you cross the Eildon Hills and the Cheviots. Bring waterproofs and layer up, or talk to our team for more advice.

Not in England, but the St. Cuthbert's Way is an official Scotland's Great Trails. The route is also an official pilgrimage walk by the British Pilgrimage Trust.

While the official St. Cuthbert's Way ends on Holy Island, we offer onwards walks and 2 extra nights, finishing in Craster/Dunstan. This will be our 10-day St. Cuthbert's Way walk with trip code WSC. You'll follow coastal footpaths and beach walking passing Bamburgh and Dunstanburgh Castles. We believe these are highlights that, as you are so close, should definitely be added.

Trip reviews

Why travel with us

Personal Experience

We've been walking and cycling the planet for over four decades and are passionate about delivering exceptional service. Combined, we’ve travelled to virtually every corner of Europe, and are eager to share the many benefits of travelling on foot or by bike.

Great Value & Quality

Our well priced trips offer great value for money. Included in your package are comprehensive route notes, maps & guide books along with bag transfers and locally run accommodation. We take the stress out of organising your holiday.

Self-Guided Specialists

We have been operating active self guided holidays since 1973. We handle all the necessary logistics so that you can relax and explore your destination at your own pace. Many of our tours depart daily, giving you even greater flexibility.