Tag: www.thisisdurham.com

Now this is no time for cold feet. So Holy Miley… trek like a celebrity to Lindisfarne.

You might well have seen Cold Feet’s Karen, aka Hermione Norris.

And Patsy Kensit and their merry band pound the tracks of north-east England in the latest expedition of the pilgrims programme.

Timed for broadcast at Easter on BBC Two and iPlayer we’ve been following in the footsteps of our Spiritual Seven.

Of different faiths and beliefs as they explore the lives of the early Celtic Christian saints.

Across three one-hour episodes, this Pilgrimage, the eighth series, sees the peregrinos take on a 240-mile challenge.

Abbey days

On the journey through Northumberland they encounter Whitby’s cliff-top Abbey.

The UNESCO site of Durham Cathedral and their final destination, the Holy Island of Lindisfarne.

The troupe travel by foot and bus through remote moorlands and the rolling Cheviot hills.

The pilgrims put their first foot in front of the other on the coast just south of the ruins of Whitby Abbey.

And travel along a curated network of trails celebrating 7th-century saints – Hild, Oswald and Cuthbert.

As true peregrinos, the peregrinos carry their own backpacks, and overnight in various locations.

From small wooden pods to an off-grid hostel and a basic bunkroom.

Step it up

Travelling north on the way of St. Hild, the pilgrims take the coastal path to the ammonite beaches of Runswick Bay.

Before heading inland towards Durham.

Where the hard work really starts, climbing the 224 steep and uneven ‘Steps of Doom’.

For their first glimpse of Durham Cathedral.

And the medieval pilgrim tradition of foot washing, before visiting St Cuthbert’s shrine.

We find our hardy pilgrims contending with an amber weather warning at Housesteads Roman Fort on Hadrian’s Wall.

Saintly path

Of course there are no shortage of holy sites and the pilgrims pray at Newcastle’s Reform Synagogue.

And the ‘Nether Springs’ retreat centre, where the daily lives of this community are inspired by the medieval saints.

From here, they join St Oswald’s Way and take in a medieval hermitage in the grounds of Warkworth Castle.

Carved into a rocky outcrop and only accessed by boat.

In the Scottish Borders, the pilgrims’ last trail, St Cuthbert’s Way marks the Celtic monk, bishop and hermit.

A challenging walk in the Cheviots on Wide-Open Hill takes them to the highest point on the route.

Feet on Holy ground

And just because the Beeb certainly knows how to treat its celebs.

By directing them to Cuthbert’s Cave where monks sheltered with his coffin when fleeing Viking raids on Lindisfarne.

After 12 demanding days, the group finally reach ‘Pilgrims’ Way’.

Where for more than 1,000 years pilgrims have walked across the tidal sands, those that caught out Matt, Pete and Robert.

To reach Lindisfarne, known as Holy Island.

Walkers this way

And as luck, and planning would have it.

We have a seven-night self-guided trek with Walkers Britain & Europe with six nights in selected B&Bs. And all for £860.

With WBE telling us that you’ll stay in the pretty fishing villages of Alnmouth, Seahouses and Craster.

And the ancient castles at Bamburgh, Dunstanburgh and Lindisfarne.

While, of course, like with every Camino, they will also provide you with your itinerary and daily routes.