The Abby ruins on Lindisfarne where saints Aiden and Cuthbert served as spiritual leaders in over 1500 years ago.
Join us for a five day, 100 km walk from the Scottish Boarders, through Northumberland National Park and ending with a two night retreat on Lindisfarne, the Holy Island where Saint Cuthbert served as abbot during the earliest years of Celtic Christian monasticism in England. Each night we’ll stay in a small town along Saint Cuthbert’s Way, one of the most beautiful long distance trails in Great Britain. Hikers will carry their clothing, personal belongings and some food. All bedding and shelter is provided in each town as well as morning and evening meals. This trip will be led by Rev. John Creasy with spiritual direction and daily prayer available. Logistics are fully covered, you just show up and enjoy the journey! People of all faith backgrounds are welcome and prayer will be inclusive of a diversity of traditions. We’ll immerse ourselves in the land and history of the early Celtic monks who shared the gospel through humble simplicity and earthy spiritual practices.
Our journey begins in Scotland where we’ll stay for two nights to prepare physically, emotionally and spiritually for our journey. We then walk from Melrose to Harestanes and stay a bit south in the town of Jedburgh in the Auld Cross Keys Inn. From there we walk to Kirk Yetholm where we’ll stay at the famous Kirk Yetholm Youth Hostel. It's a classic stop for those walking St Cuthbert's Way and for cyclists on the Borderloop Cycle Route. Harestanes to Kirk Yetholm. From there we travel from Kirk Yetholm to Wooler where we’ll stay in another famous hostel. A walkers’ paradise, hidden gem, Wooler sits on the edge of Northumberland’s spectacular National Park. This tiny, stone-built market town is home to a bustling High Street with a smattering of traditional shops, pubs and cafes, along with churches and buildings that date back to the 17-1800s.
Wooler in Northumberland.
Our next stretch takes us from Wooler to Fenwick where we’ll stay one night at the Lindisfarne Inn. Our final destination is Lindisfarne, the ancient Holy Island. There we’ll stay at the Marygate House, a retreat center for journeying pilgrims to the island. There we’ll stay for two nights with a loose schedule of optional morning and evening prayer at the island’s churches.
Cost of the trip is $2800 including shelter in bed and breakfasts and hostels along the way, all meals during the walk and all travel costs from the United States. Alcohol and snacks along the way can be purchased separately.
The present and active church on Lindisfarne next to the monastic ruins. Evening prayer will take place in the church during the final retreat.
Much of the hiking will take place in Northumberland National Park, Alyssa is perched here on a rock outcropping in 2025.
