St Oswald’s Way
St Oswald’s Way links three important sites associated with Oswald, the 7th century King of Northumbria, who converted his people to Christianity – the Holy Island of Lindisfarne where he established the monastery that became the ‘cradle of Christianity in England’; Bamburgh, which was his royal capital; and Heavenfield, where he defeated the Pagan kings of Gwynedd and Mercia to regain his father’s kingdom.
From Holy Island with its fairytale castle and ruined priory, St Oswald’s Way follows the stunning coastline of Northumberland past castles perched on rocky promontories, quaint fishing villages and sweeping strands of golden sand to Warkworth, a beautiful village enclosed in a loop of the River Coquet and dominated by one of the largest, strongest and most impressive fortresses in northern England. From here St Oswald’s Way heads inland beside the River Coquet to the lovely old market town of Rothbury, before heading southwards again through heather-clad moors, pine-scented forests, rich farmland and a succession of sleepy villages to reach Hadrian’s Wall and the historic site of Heavenfield.
Highlights of St Oswald’s Way include the ruined priory and Lindisfarne Castle on Holy Island; the Pilgrim’s Way across the sands to the mainland; St Cuthbert’s Cave, found on a low ridge that provides spectacular views of the coastline; Bamburgh, a pretty village dominated by its vast castle dramatically poised on a huge crag rising out of the sea; the sandy beaches at Bamburgh, Beadnell Bay, Embleton Bay and Alnmouth Bay; the tiny fishing harbours at Seahouses and Craster; the views of the Farne Islands; the wonderful bird life; the melancholy ruin of Dunstanburgh Castle; the oak-smoked kippers at Craster; the picturesque village of Warkworth and its impressive castle and medieval fortified bridge; the charming Victorian town of Rothbury; the Iron Age hill fort and rock carvings at Lordenshaws; the old Roman frontier of Hadrian’s Wall; and the simple little church of St Oswald at Heavenfield.
After visiting St Oswald’s church at Heavenfield, the walk follows Hadrian’s Wall Path to reach the village of Chollerford and the Roman cavalry fort of Cilurnum. Here outstanding remains include an ornate headquarters building, commanding officer's house, barracks and the military bath-house nestling against the bank of the river.
On reaching Chollerford, why not take in the finest stretch of Hadrian’s Wall Path? Our two-, or three-day Hadrian’s Wall Short Break takes in the most dramatic section of Hadrian’s Wall between the fascinating fort of Cilurnum at Chollerford and the hamlet of Lanercost past Housesteads, Vindolanda and Birdoswald forts.
Holiday Highlights
- Experiencing the spirituality on The Holy Island of Lindisfarne at Lindisfarne Priory.
- Exploring the rich history of Northumbria, including Lindisfarne Priory, Bamburgh Castle, Warkworth Castle, Lordenshaws Iron Age Camp and the Roman Fort of Cilurnum.
- Visiting a series of charming seaside towns and quaint rural villages, including Seahouses, Craster, Rothbury and Kirkwhelpington.
- Arriving at St Oswald’s Church in Heavenfield and concluding the walk along Hadrian’s Wall Path into Chollerford.
St Oswald’s Way
| Total Distance | 100 miles (160 km) |
| Start and Finish | Lindisfarne (Holy Island) to Chollerford |
| Availability | 1st April to 30th September |
click on a photo to enlarge
| Tour Code | Itinerary | Tour Price | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OSW1 | 7 nights, 6 days walking | £490 per person | More Information | Book Online | |
| OSW2 | 8 nights, 7 days walking | £540 per person | More Information | Book Online | |
| OSW3 | 9 nights, 8 days walking | £590 per person | More Information | Book Online | |
| OSW4 | 10 nights, 9 days walking | £635 per person | More Information | Book Online | |
| OSW5 | 11 nights, 10 days walking | £690 per person | More Information | Book Online | |
| OSW6 | 13 nights, 12 days walking | £825 per person | More Information | Book Online | |
| Our prices are based upon two people sharing a room. If you are walking on your own, or are part of a group, but require a room of your own, the following charges apply: | |||||
| Solo Walker Supplement: | £28 per person / per night | ||||
| Single Supplement: | £10 per person / per night | ||||
| You can add rest days at any of the overnight stops. For each extra night add £50 per person. All of our prices are in British pounds (£). Use our currency converter to convert British pounds (£) to your country’s currency. | |||||
| The price that you pay includes accommodation on a bed and breakfast basis, door to door luggage transfers for every day of your tour, maps, guidebooks and a tour pack detailing specific information about your holiday. | |||||
Don’t have the time for the complete walk?
We also offer The St Oswald’s Way in two sections, each of which is an excellent walk in its own right, giving those with less time the opportunity to complete the trail in stages.
St Oswald’s Way - Coastal Section
| Total Distance | 46 miles (74 km) |
| Start and Finish | Lindisfarne (Holy Island) to Warkworth |
| Availability | 1st April to 30th September |
The Coastal section of St Oswald’s Way begins at The Holy Island of Lindisfarne and ends in the fortified village of Warkworth. The trail follows the coastline through a series of charming seaside towns and villages as it follows the beautiful Northumbrian coastline and traces the spiritual journey of St Oswald, King of Northumbria in the 7th century.
The Holy Island of Lindisfarne, where St Oswald founded his first monastery, is a tranquil tidal island that marks an impressive start to the walk. From Lindisfarne Priory, a centre of Christianity in Anglo-Saxon England, the wealth of history and spirituality is at the forefront of interest along the trail while, perched at the top of Beblowe Craig, Lindisfarne Castle offers far reaching views of the surrounding area.
Leaving Lindisfarne, the trail continues inland to Belford, a pretty agricultural village on the edge of the Kyloe hills. Belford’s long history provides a series of fascinating attractions, including Belford Hall, an 18th century manor house and the Spindlestone Ducket Mill, a four storey tower thought to be a windmill, but most likely an 18th century dovecote.
Soon, the trail continues back to follow the coast, overlooking the expansive sand flats of Budle Bay, before approaching the imposing Bamburgh Castle, home to the Kings of Northumbria. Bamburgh Dunes, a Site of Special Scientific Interest, offer a habitat for a diverse range of plant and animal life, including Warblers, Reed Buntings, Orchids and Sea Sandwort.
Passing through Seahouses, a bustling seaside town, followed by the ruins of Dunstanburgh Castle, the trail enters Craster, a small fishing village famed for its smoked kippers.
Finally, the trail reaches Warkworth, on the mouth of the River Coquet. The Hermitage, a 14th century chapel carved out of rock, as well as the impressive Warkworth Castle, provide much to see and explore as you complete this spectacular coastal section of St Oswald’s Way.
Holiday Highlights
- Discovering the spiritual journey of St Oswald, from Lindisfarne Priory to the looming fortress of Warkworth Castle.
- Visiting the bustling fishing villages along the coastline, including Seahouses and Craster.
- Tracing history through the centuries as you visit Holy Island, Bamburgh Castle, Dunstanburgh Castle and Warkworth Castle.
| Tour Code | Itinerary | Tour Price | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OSWC1 | 4 nights, 3 days walking | £300 per person | More Information | Book Online | |
| OSWC2 | 5 nights, 4 days walking | £375 per person | More Information | Book Online | |
| OSWC3 | 6 nights, 5 days walking | £455 per person | More Information | Book Online | |
| OSWC4 | 8 nights, 7 days walking | £600 per person | More Information | Book Online | |
| Our prices are based upon two people sharing a room. If you are walking on your own, or are part of a group, but require a room of your own, the following charges apply: | |||||
| Solo Walker Supplement: | £28 per person / per night | ||||
| Single Supplement: | £10 per person / per night | ||||
| You can add rest days at any of the overnight stops. For each extra night add £50 per person. All of our prices are in British pounds (£). Use our currency converter to convert British pounds (£) to your country’s currency. | |||||
| The price that you pay includes accommodation on a bed and breakfast basis, door to door luggage transfers for every day of your tour, maps, guidebooks and a tour pack detailing specific information about your holiday. | |||||
St Oswald’s Way - Countryside section
| Total Distance | 54 miles (86 km) |
| Start and Finish | Warkworth to Chollerford |
| Availability | 1st April to 30th September |
The route links some of the places associated with St. Oswald, the King of Northumbria in the early 7th Century, who played a major part in bringing Christianity to his people.
The Countryside Section of St. Oswald’s Way begins in the ancient village of Warkworth and continues inland to Hadrian’s Wall and the village of Chollerford. The route links some of the places associated with St. Oswald, who worked to spread Christianity throughout Northumbria during the 7th Century.
Leaving the ancient village of Warkworth with its Castle looming on the horizon, the trail follows riverside paths along the Coquet Valley until it reaches Rothbury. The small, peaceful town of Rothbury is surrounded by lush scenery and the nearby Iron Age camp of Lordenshaws offers a large collection of ‘Cup and Rind’ rock carvings.
The trail continues along scenic agricultural land and enters Kirkwhelpington, a small, traditional village consisting of little more than a church, village hall, art centre and post office. From this peaceful village, the trail soon meets the Hadrian’s Wall Path and runs west to Heavenfield, where St. Oswald is said to have raised a wooden cross before the Battle of Heavenfield. The small St. Oswald’s Church that now marks this location is the final stop on the official St Oswald’s Way, before the trail joins Hadrian’s Wall Path to Chollerford. In Chollerford, the Roman Fort of Cilurnum provides a fascinating end to a walk rich in history.
Holiday Highlights
- Tracing the rolling countryside of rural Northumbria from Warkworth to Chollerford.
- Discovering the wonderfully peaceful Coquet valley in the heart of the Northumbrian countryside.
- Arriving at St Oswald’s Church in Heavenfield and walking the final stretch to Chollerford on Hadrian’s Wall Path.
| Tour Code | Itinerary | Tour Price | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OSWI1 | 4 nights, 3 days walking | £300 per person | More Information | Book Online | |
| OSWI2 | 5 nights, 4 days walking | £375 per person | More Information | Book Online | |
| OSWI3 | 6 nights, 5 days walking | £455 per person | More Information | Book Online | |
| Our prices are based upon two people sharing a room. If you are walking on your own, or are part of a group, but require a room of your own, the following charges apply: | |||||
| Solo Walker Supplement: | £28 per person / per night | ||||
| Single Supplement: | £10 per person / per night | ||||
| You can add rest days at any of the overnight stops. For each extra night add £50 per person. All of our prices are in British pounds (£). Use our currency converter to convert British pounds (£) to your country’s currency. | |||||
| The price that you pay includes accommodation on a bed and breakfast basis, door to door luggage transfers for every day of your tour, maps, guidebooks and a tour pack detailing specific information about your holiday. | |||||
