St Cuthbert's Way

St Cuthbert's Way

A self-guided walking holiday celebrating the many historic sites associated with St Cuthbert.

5 to 8 nights
64-69 miles
Moderate to Demanding

From £590 per person

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About the trail

St Cuthbert's Way follows the story of a 7th century saint who travelled through Scotland and northern England, spreading the Gospel and performing healing miracles. Beginning at Melrose, where the saint started his ministry, and ending at Holy Island, where he ended his days, the trail passes through scenery of great variety and beauty.

The walk takes in heather-clad hills, tranquil riverbanks and old Roman roads, visiting attractive villages and border towns along the way. Particular sites of interest include the ruin of Dryburgh Abbey, Cessford Castle, St Cuthbert's Cave and the Holy Island of Lindisfarne, complete with its ruined abbey and spectacular castle.

Both of our holiday options follow St Cuthbert's Way from end to end, but our mainland option returns to the shore for the final night's stay. If you would prefer to stay on Holy Island, select the Holy Island option from the list below.

Choose your route

  • This route includes dog friendly tour options St Cuthbert's Way - Mainland Option
  • This route includes dog friendly tour options St Cuthbert's Way - Holy Island Option

Dog friendly tours available

Dogs are welcome on select routes along this trail. Look for the pawprint icon when choosing your holiday.

About this route

5 to 8 nights
64 miles
Moderate to Demanding
21st March to 30th September
Includes Dog-Friendly Tours

From £610 per person

St Cuthbert's Way - Holy Island Option

This 62-mile holiday option takes in the complete St Cuthbert’s Way, staying in accommodation on the Holy Island of Lindisfarne at the end of the walk. This is a great opportunity to spend more time exploring this historical island and provides a spectacular finale for your walking holiday.

Available tours

Code Tour Duration Difficulty Price per person
CUTH0 From Melrose to Holy Island 5 nights, 4 days walking Demanding £610
CUTH1 From Melrose to Holy Island 6 nights, 5 days walking Moderate / Demanding £735
CUTH2 From Melrose to Holy Island 7 nights, 6 days walking Moderate / Demanding £850
CUTH3 From Melrose to Holy Island 8 nights, 7 days walking Moderate £970
"The Pilgrim's Route to the Island" by John Sands (2023) "The Pilgrim's Route to the Island" by John Sands (2023)
"On Holy Island" by Jim Minot (2023) "On Holy Island" by Jim Minot (2023)
"On Wideopen Hill" by Jim Minot (2023) "On Wideopen Hill" by Jim Minot (2023)
"On Holy Island" by Jim Minot (2023) "On Holy Island" by Jim Minot (2023)
"Walking along the River Tweed" by Woodie Muirhead (2022) "Walking along the River Tweed" by Woodie Muirhead (2022)
"Lindisfarne Castle" by Judy Richonne (2022) "Lindisfarne Castle" by Judy Richonne (2022)
"Lindisfarne Priory" by Judy Richonne (2022) "Lindisfarne Priory" by Judy Richonne (2022)
"Boat Shed on Lindisfarne" by Tania Rideout (2020) "Boat Shed on Lindisfarne" by Tania Rideout (2020)
"Resting at the Halfway Point" by Tania Rideout (2020) "Resting at the Halfway Point" by Tania Rideout (2020)
Wall Between Kirk Yetholm and Wooler
Wall Between Kirk Yetholm and Wooler" by Anne Swindell (2019) Wall Between Kirk Yetholm and Wooler" by Anne Swindell (2019)
"Viewpoint Between Kirk Yetholm and Wooler" by Anne Swindell (2019) "Viewpoint Between Kirk Yetholm and Wooler" by Anne Swindell (2019)
"Border Sign Between Kirk Yetholm and Wooler" by Anne Swindell (2019) "Border Sign Between Kirk Yetholm and Wooler" by Anne Swindell (2019)
"On the Holy Island" by Nicole Neal (2019) "On the Holy Island" by Nicole Neal (2019)
"From Harestanes to Morebattle" by Nicole Neal (2019) "From Harestanes to Morebattle" by Nicole Neal (2019)
"On the Holy Island" by Nicole Neal (2019) "On the Holy Island" by Nicole Neal (2019)
"From Melrose to Harestanes" by Nicole Neal (2019) "From Melrose to Harestanes" by Nicole Neal (2019)
"Melrose Abbey" by Desmond Maltby (2017) "Melrose Abbey" by Desmond Maltby (2017)
"St Cuthberts Cave" by Desmond Maltby (2017) "St Cuthberts Cave" by Desmond Maltby (2017)
"River Tweed" by Desmond Maltby (2017) "River Tweed" by Desmond Maltby (2017)
"Preparing to Cross the Border" by Sheila Maltby (2017) "Preparing to Cross the Border" by Sheila Maltby (2017)
"From Kirk Yetholm to Wooler" by Paul Brown (2017) "From Kirk Yetholm to Wooler" by Paul Brown (2017)
"From Jedburgh to Kirk Yetholm" by Paul Brown (2017) "From Jedburgh to Kirk Yetholm" by Paul Brown (2017)
"Looking down from Wideopen Hill" by Paul Brown (2017) "Looking down from Wideopen Hill" by Paul Brown (2017)
"Atop Wideopen Hill" by Paul Brown (2017) "Atop Wideopen Hill" by Paul Brown (2017)

Customer reviews from the St Cuthbert's Way - Holy Island Option

“We enjoyed our holiday very much, it was a real adventure.”
Mr Stanton, UK
“We were lucky with the weather, and May was a great time to benefit from wild flowers in bloom and birdsong along the route. All the places we stayed were very welcoming of our dog and ourselves.”
Mrs Woods, UK
“St. Cuthbert's Way was, though incredibly challenging, a magnificent path to follow, especially the last day, walking across the sand and mud to Holy Isle. MOST of the accommodations were good, and we were absolutely DELIGHTED by the cab drivers. I never would have thought that cab drivers would be a highlight of the experience, but they were. The luggage transfers were flawless, which was so helpful. The Allerton House and the Lindisfarne on Holy Isle were superb lodgings. Like any such experience, there were ups and downs, but overall it was a great experience.”
Ms Kleeman, USA
“Really enjoyed the trail, scenery was beautiful.”
Ms Fitzgerald, Canada
“Brilliant shorter walk a bit of everything - hills, rivers, moors, sea, bridges, priories, villages - perfect and perfect organisation by Contours.”
Mr Brown, UK
“It was beautiful countryside, we had good weather and the places we stayed were very comfortable and friendly.”
Ms Hunt, UK
“I am writing to thank you for making our recent walking holiday, St Cuthbert’s Way, so memorable. Each section of the walk was well planned, the accommodation reached high standards throughout the week, and we were thrilled to experience a competent baggage service and outstanding taxi service which were comfortable and the drivers information helpful. I will not hesitate to recommend your organisation to fellow walkers.”
Mrs Hallows, UK
“Stunning scenery, wonderful accommodation, magnificent breakfasts, kind and generous hosts and best of all, the weather - rain, hail, snow, wind and perfect sunshine! Everything was above and beyond our expectation.”
Mr Trembath, Australia
“I absolutely loved it!! It was a much needed holiday!! It was so wonderful to do this, to have everything taken care of, and all of it was wonderful, and every detail was taken care of. Thank you so much for this amazing experience!! It made so much of a huge difference to just set up the dates and select the passage, and have every detail from a place to stay Monday night till a place to stay till Monday morning. Every host was amazing. Each taxi company was wonderful, kind, warm, wonderful!! It made doing this experience on my own so wonderful and not nearly as daunting as it could have been.”
Rev Smith, UK
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