Independent Trails: Fact File

Independent Trails: Fact File.CUTH1

St Cuthbert's Way ~ Melrose to Holy Island

Important information: The causeway road and the Pilgrim's Path across the sands to Holy Island can only be crossed during low tide (the times of which vary from day to day). Please contact us to check the safe crossing times before booking your holiday to avoid either a very early start from Wooler or a lengthy wait at the start of the causeway and subsequent late arrival on Holy Island.

Trail Facts

Total distance: 62 miles (99km)
Duration: 6 nights, 5 days walking
Minimum/maximum daily distances: 7½ miles (12km)/17½ miles (28km)
Waymarking: The trail is clearly waymarked with St Cuthbert's Way Celtic Cross symbols and is very easy to follow
Season: April to November
Starting point of holiday: Melrose
End of holiday: Holy Island
Code: CUTH1

Itinerary

Day 1: Travel to Melrose, where your first nights accommodation has been booked.

Day 2: Melrose to Harestanes. 15 miles (24km)

Day 3: Harestanes to Morebattle. 9½ miles (15km)

Day 4: Morebattle to Kirk Yetholm. 7½ miles (12km)

Day 5: Kirk Yetholm to Wooler. 13 miles (21km)

Day 6: Wooler to Lindisfarne, the Holy Island. 17½ miles (28km)

Day 7: Depart from Lindisfarne, the Holy Island after breakfast.

Extra nights/Rest days

Many people choose to have an extra night in Melrose at the start of the trail so that they can explore this charming Borders town with its magnificent ruined abbey. Others take one of the frequent buses to Sir Walter Scott's former home at Abbotsford which lies 3 miles west of Melrose. If you would like to visit Jedburgh, an attractive town with many interesting sites including a grand ruined abbey, Jedburgh Castle Jail and Museum and Mary Queen of Scots House, consider taking an extra night in Harestanes. A popular short walk from Harestanes leads up to the Waterloo Monument, a superb viewpoint. Another popular choice for an extra night is at the end of the trail on the beautiful island of Lindisfarne, with its Magnificent castle, ruined priory and museum and attractive little harbour.

What's included

6 nights accommodation in en-suite rooms with private bathrooms (where available) in selected hotels, inns and guesthouses.
Traditional cooked breakfast.
Door to door luggage transfer along the trail.
Maps with the route marked on and a guidebook describing the trail.
An information pack containing an itinerary with detailed instructions on how to find your accommodation each night, information about facilities and places of interest along the trail and a kit list.
Detailed travel instructions on how to get to the start of your holiday and back from the end of it.
Emergency assistance.

Travel Information

Detailed instructions on how to get to the start of the holiday and back from the end of it are sent to you on booking. A summary is given below.

Most convenient major city and International airports: (1) Edinburgh Airport (2) Newcastle Airport.

(1) Edinburgh Airport. Bus to Edinburgh bus station. Bus from Edinburgh to Melrose (2 hours 7 minutes).

(2) Newcastle Airport. Metro to Newcastle railway station. Train from Newcastle to Berwick-on-Tweed (45 minutes), then bus from Berwick-on-Tweed railway station to Melrose (1 hour 24 minutes).

Outward journey from London to Melrose: There is a fast and frequent rail service between London Kings Cross and Berwick-on-Tweed (about 3 ½ hours), then bus from Berwick-on-Tweed railway station to Melrose (1 hour 24 minutes).

Return journey to London at the end of the holiday: Bus (infrequent service) or taxi (approximately £14.00) to Berwick-on-Tweed, then train from Berwick-on-Tweed to London Kings Cross. The journey takes about 3 ½ hours.

Travelling by car: To return to your car in Melrose after completing the trail: Bus or taxi to Berwick-on-Tweed, then bus to Melrose (1 hour 24 minutes).