Walking in Northumberland

St Oswalds Way self-guided walking:

St Oswald was the king of Northumbria in the early 7th century and played a major part in bringing Christianity to this area. This self-guided walk provides generally easy walking over changing and attractive countryside and is a pageant of changing scenery: coastline, castles, charming villages, hills, river valleys, farmlandf and forest. It begins with Holy Island (Lindisfarne) in the north and follows the dramatic Northumberland coast down to Warkworth, before heading inland across stunning countryside to Rothbury, Kirkwhelpington and then to Heavenfield and Hadrian’s Wall in the south, a distance of 97 miles (156 km).

Oswald, born about 604, died in battle against the pagan Mercians in about 642, converting to Christianity after the battle of Heavenfield about 633. Oswald gave the island of Lindisfarne to the Irish bishop Aiden, acting as his interpreter whilst the bishop preached.

St Oswalds Way guided walking:
Responsible Travel run a 10 day guided walking trip along the same route. Please enquire for more details.

Day-to-Day Itinerary

Day 1:

Lindisfarne (Holy Island) to Belford – 12 miles. Transfer from Alnmouth train station to Holy Island. As the crossing is tidal to Holy Island we need to check crossing times prior to confirming dates. You start from Lindisfarne Priory on Holy Island and cross the causeway to the mainland. From here you share the route of St Cuthbert’s Way for 9 miles and then continue to follow the coast path to Belford. You will stay the night in Belford where there are a number of establishments to eat in and share your stories of the first days walking.

Day 2:

Belford to Seahouses – 11 miles. From Belford you head east past Budle Bay and rejoin the coast near Bamburgh. Bamburgh was the site of King Oswald’s royal seat. It is now dominated by one of Northumberland’s most familiar landmarks, the magnificent Bamburgh Castle. From here you head towards the popular seaside village of Seahouses, where boat trips to the nearby Farne Islands can be taken (not included in the trip cost). The accommodation at the end of this day will be in Seahouses.

Day 3:

Seahouses to Craster – 10 miles. The route continues southwards past Beadnell and Beadnell Bay to Low Newton-by-the-Sea and Embleton Bay. When tides are allow, it is possible to walk on the beach as an alternative at various points on this section. After this, St Oswald’s Way passes the romantic ruins of another famous Northumbrian castle, Dunstanburgh, before arriving at the fishing village of Craster. The accommodation this night is located just a short way south of the picturesque village of Craster.

Day 4:

Seahouses to Craster – 10 miles. The route continues southwards past Beadnell and Beadnell Bay to Low Newton-by-the-Sea and Embleton Bay. When tides are allow, it is possible to walk on the beach as an alternative at various points on this section. After this, St Oswald’s Way passes the romantic ruins of another famous Northumbrian castle, Dunstanburgh, before arriving at the fishing village of Craster. The accommodation this night is located just a short way south of the picturesque village of Craster.

Day 5:

Alnmouth/ Warkworth to Weldon Bridge – 11 ½ miles. Warkworth is a beautiful village set in a meander of the River Coquet beneath the imposing castle. From here, St. Oswald’s Way wanders up the scenic Coquet valley. It passes through the village of Felton then through woodland and along riverside paths to Weldon Bridge. This night you will be staying in Weldon Bridge and staying in some wonderful accommodation renowned for its food. Just what’s needed after 5 days walking.

Day 6:

Weldon Bridge to Rothbury – 6 ½ miles. The route then stays on the southern side of the Coquet, glimpsing the historic Brinkburn Priory on the other side of the river, through attractive rolling farmland to reach Rothbury, “the Capital of Coquetdale”, set in superb Northumberland scenery. After this short days walking it gives you plenty of time to explore the wonderful market town of Rothbury. If you wish you can visit Cragside House, which is currently owned by the National Trust. ‘The palace of a modern magician’, inventor Lord Armstrong and Victorian England’s most technologically-advanced mansion. This night you will be staying in Rothbury in some lovely accommodation nestled on the hillside, looking south over Rothbury itself.

Day 7:

Rothbury to Knowesgate – 13 ½ miles. The picturesque and ancient village of Rothbury is set in the Coquet valley and surrounded by hills. St. Oswald’s Way leaves the River Coquet here and heads southwards again, this time over remote but appealing country. The route enters Northumberland National Park and passes the remains of an Iron Age hill fort and rock carvings at Lordenshaws. The heather-clad moors of the Simonside Hills are crossed before reaching Harwood Forest, a large plantation managed by the Forestry Commission. The route then crosses attractive farmland to reach the settlement of Knowesgate. Tonight you will stay in Knowesgate itself, in a hotel which serves food.

Day 8:

Knowesgate to Great Whittington – 12 miles. This section of St. Oswald’s Way starts at Knowesgate before it passes down to the attractive village of Kirkwhelpington and runs southwards through picturesque rolling farmland. This part of the walk is fairly remote and includes interesting small settlements such as Great Bavington and Hallington before reaching the village of Great Whittington. From Great Whittingham you will have a nights accommodation in one of its neighbouring villages.

Day 9:

Great Whittington to Heavenfield – 7 miles. After a short distance back to where you left the route you walk south of Great Whittington to where the route joins Hadrian’s Wall Path and runs westwards along the famous Roman frontier to the historic site of Heavenfield, the ‘end’ of St. Oswald’s Way. You will then be transferred from Heavenfield to the Newcastle Central Station or Newcastle Airport. Alternatively we can add an extra night stay for you in Newcastle upon Tyne.

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