St Cuthbert’s Way

Day 1: Arrive in Melrose

This is your chance to make your way to the small town of Melrose, where your first night's accommodation awaits. If arriving by train Tweedbank Station is a short distance from Melrose and a transfer can be arranged. In the evening you will usually get a chance to meet the rest of your group as well as your guides at a local pub for a drink or two.

Accommodation Melrose

Day 2: Walking to Maxton

This is the first day of walking, where the trip really begins. In the morning you will be met by one of the guides, who will take you to the start outside Melrose Abbey. We begin with the steepest section of the entire walk as we climb to a pass in the Eildon hills above Melrose. The hard work is completed within an hour and with the reward of excellent views of the Scottish Borders. From here we descend through woodland the Newtown St Boswells and follow the River Tweed round into St Boswells itself. There a chance here for coffee/lunch stop at the wonderful local book shop before returning to the river for a further section on the banks of the Tweed. We finish the day in the small hamlet of Maxton. Today is 9 miles/14 km with 350m of ascent.

Accommodation Melrose

Day 3: Walking to Cessford Castle

This is day for the historians. We begin the day on Dere Street (an old Roman Road), pass the site of the Today we will leave the small village of Maxton on Dere Street, an old Roman road. This section is steeped in history. As well as the Roman road we pass the site of the Battle of Ancrum Moor and the Lilliard’s Stone a monument to the legendary Fair maiden Lilliard. At the end of Deere Street we meet the grounds of Harestanes - potentially fruitful diversion to the courtyard for highly recommend coffee, waffles and ice-cream! We then head around Monteviot House to cross the Teviot river. From here we pass quietly through undulating farmland and woodland to the ruins of Cessford Castle, our end point for the day. From here we will make the short drive to Yetholm. Today’s mileage comes in at 13 miles / 22 km, and we will climb a total 450m.

Accommodation Yetholm

Day 4: Walking to Yetholm

We start today with a few miles on quiet roads through the quaint border village of Morebattle. We leave the road for Wideopen Hill and the highest point on the trail. With plenty of time to complete the climb, we can make numerous stops to catch our breath and take in the views that live up to the name of the place. We will again take our time in descent which is a little steep in places to join a minor road. After following the road for a mile we leave the tarmac for the the gentle river bank of the Bowmont Water. We will follow this the short distance into Kirk Yetholm, where you will be able to walk straight into your accommodation. In our 9.5 miles/15 km we will ascend a total of 375m.

Accommodation Yetholm

Day 5: Walking to Wooler

Today is the longest and toughest day of the trek. We will cover the 12 miles to Wooler, through the undulating foothills of the Cheviot, ascending a total of over 650m. The day begins with a short road section before we climb gently over the first of the day’s hills. From the quickly gained high point we will descend into the valley beyond to pick up a good track to Hethpool. From here it is a rising traverse to again gain open hillside. We’ll pass Yeavering Bell, the site of an Iron Age hill fort, and the prominent rocks of Tom Tallon’s Crag. From here we will keep our height before steadily descending into Wooler.

Accommodation Wooler

Day 6: Walking to Fenwick

This, our 5th day on the trail, is a gentle one and we again cover 12 miles/19 km and a total of 400m ascent. We will work our way through and out of Wooler to pick up trails through the farmland beyond. The path takes us through woodland and past the sandstone crags which split the lowlands and the Northumberland Coast. Today we pass St Cuthbert's Cave, where monks took St. Cuthbert’s body in 875AD as they fled from Viking raiders on Lindisfarne. Beyond the cave lies Kyloe Woods and the small village of Fenwick where we will finish our day’s walk.

Accommodation Near Fenwick

Day 7: Walking to Holy Island

With just 6 miles left of St Cuthbert's Way (and a net downhill today) you are almost finished! This shorter day allows us to time things correctly with the tides and make the most of the crossing to Lindisfarne. We will walk from Fenwick down to the tidal causeway to Holy Island. Here we will take off our shoes and cross the sand/mud flats of the Pilgrim’s Way, following the wooden posts which mark the way. A novel and interesting finish to a trek. A quick clean of our feet will be needed before putting our shoes back on for the final section through the town to the Priory. A short walk around the island is highly recommend if you have the energy or you might want to explore the bustling towns shops before resting up at your accommodation having completed this historic trail.

Accommodation Holy Island

Day 8: Depart Holy Island

On the final morning of your holiday it is time so say our farewells. You will need to wait for the tide to recede and the causeway to open before taking the option of a lift to either Berwick-upon-Tweed for bus and rail links, or back to Tweedbank for those who arrived by car.