St Cuthberts Way Walking Holiday
in Scotland and Northern England
8 nights and 7 days walking
Day by Day Itinerary
This 71 mile walking holiday starts in Melrose in Scotland, crosses the Scottish Borders and ends at the Holy Isle of Lindisfarne on the Northumbrian Coast.
This is one of our Northern England Walking Holidays, and also one of our Pilgrimage Walking Holidays.
The St Cuthberts Way Walking Holiday
in Scotland and Northern England
from Melrose to Lindisfarne (Holy Island)
Walking in the Scottish Borders and Northern England from Melrose on the banks of the River Tweed to Lindisfarne (Holy Island) off the Northumberland coast of England,
via Melrose Abbey, Eildon Hills, River Tweed, Dryburgh Abbey, St Boswells, Jedburgh, Cessford Castle, Kirk Yetholm, Cheviot Hills, Wooler and the Holy Island of Lindisfarne, with its ruined abbey and castle.
St Cuthberts Way walking holiday is on one of UK’s long distance way-marked walking trails. The walking holiday begins at Melrose Abbey, and follows the course of the River Tweed, passes the ruined Abbey of Dryburgh and crosses the River Teviot via The Roman Roads (Dere Street). Walking through the wild Cheviot Hills passing St Cuthbert’s Cave, St Cuthbert’s Way ends on the Northumberland coast at the Holy Island of Lindisfarne, famous for its ruined abbey and fine castle. The causeway to Holy Island is tidal and so this holiday is only available when the tides are favourable.
On this self guided St Cuthberts Way walking holiday you hike through some of the Scottish Borders’ greatest walking country, through towns and villages mentioned by the 7th century saint as he walked through Scotland and Northern England performing miracles and preaching the Gospel. The historic landscape is full of wildlife and heritage, and Lindisfarne (Holy Island) and the Cheviot Hills are en-route. This is a walking tour full of contrasts with stunning coast line and quiet river banks.
St Cuthberts Way walking holiday connects with:
- Northumberland Coast Path at Holy Island
- St Oswalds Way at Holy Island
There is an option to extend your holiday and spend an extra day walking the Northumberland Coast Path north for 10 miles (17km) from Holy Island to Berwick-on-Tweed.
Our self-guided walking holidays are designed with your comfort and enjoyment in mind and can be tailor-made to your own personal requirements.
The routes are clearly way-marked to provide reassurance on your hiking vacation.
We use a selection of guest houses, inns or small hotels with en-suite or private bathroom to ensure you are well rested each night after a busy day hiking and sightseeing. Rest assured that all our accommodation walking holiday providers are hand-picked and offer you that famous British hospitality.
Special diets can be catered for, including vegetarian, vegan, and gluten free.
We organize the luggage transfer so your bags are at your next accommodation when you arrive. We try to get your bags delivered by 4pm, but this may be delayed due to road conditions.
Let’s Go Walking has developed one of the largest selection of walking holidays.
Our offices are staffed 9am to 9pm during our walking season (March to September) to ensure your walking holiday runs without a hitch.
All our walking holidays are self-guided and you must be a confident map reader and able to navigate from a compass bearing. The weather in the UK and Ireland can change quickly effecting visibility and underfoot conditions. It is important to carry a selection of clothing with you on your hike each day to cope with changing weather conditions. If you are not confident of completing any days walk, do not set out.
This walking holiday in the UK operates March to September and in either direction.
The daily distances are only a suggestion. If you would like to walk longer or shorter distances, we can arrange that too.
Our stated distances include mileage to the accommodation or pickup point and so may not agree with the guide book mileages.
Rest days can be taken in any location.
Why not combine this walk with a hiking tour in another part of the UK or Ireland. Our staff will be happy to advise on necessary transfers.
Online booking available.
A deposit of £85 per person is required to secure the booking, with the balance due 6 weeks before departure.
Optional extra days and accommodation upgrades can be added during the booking process online.
Please wait for the confirmation of your holiday before making final travel plans just in case your holiday is not available for your requested date.
St Cuthberts Way Walking Holiday
Melrose to Holy Island (Lindisfarne)
Suggested Tour Duration:
8 nights, 7 days walking
Total Distance:
71 miles
Min/max daily distance:
6/13 miles
Average Daily distance:
10 miles
Grading:
moderate
Features:
Lindisfarne Holy Island
This walk connects with:
Northumberland Coast Path
St Oswald’s Way
St Cuthberts Way Walking Holiday
in Scotland and Northern England
from Melrose in the Scottish borders to Lindisfarne (Holy Island) in England
8 nights and 7 days walking
Day by Day Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive Melrose, Southern Scotland
To start your walking holiday on St Cuthbert’s Way walking trail you make your own way to Melrose in the Scottish Borders. We can assist with coach or train transfers if necessary. Car parking is available for the duration of your self-guided walking holiday on St Cuthbert’s Way.
Day 2: Melrose to St Boswells 7 miles
St Cuthbert’s Way starts at the 12th Century ruined Cistercian Melrose Abbey. Today’s walking route soon leaves the valley of the River Tweed, one of Britain’s longest rivers at over 100 miles 160 kms. The hiking trail then climbs into the Eildon Hills with views over the Scottish borders. Walking down through pleasant woodlands, a short detour takes you to Dryburgh Abbey. You continue along the riverbank to reach St Boswells.
Day 3: St Boswells to Jedburgh 12 miles
Today you walk along the banks of the River Tweed to Maxton before joining the old Roman Road (Dere Street) across undulating countryside to Harestanes and Jedburgh.
Day 4: Jedburgh to Morebattle 13 miles
Walking on from Jedburgh on the St Cuthbert’s Way you soon cross the River Teviot. The walking trail is now in the typical landscape of Scotland’s boarder country, attractive woodlands and deep river valleys. At Cessford there is a very typical 15th century Scottish borders castle in this long fought-over part of Scotland. Today’s walk ends at the small village of Morebattle.
Day 5: Morebattle to Hethpool 12 miles
Walking on from Morebattle, this is the most challenging and perhaps rewarding day of the whole St Cuthbert’s Way. The hiking trail starts with a climb to Wideopen Hill at a height of approx 400m (1300 feet). You pass through Kirk Yetholm then cross the Pennine Way National Walking Trail to finish at the tiny hamlet of Hethpool.
Day 6: Hethpool to Wooler 8 miles
The trail then heads onto the ridge that marks the Scotland border with England. Then St Cuthbert’s Way gently descends to rolling English farmland and the College Valley. There is a final climb into the Cheviot Hills with excellent views, before descending to Wooler.
Day 7: Wooler to West Mains 13 miles
Today is an easy day, mostly level walking with only a few minor hills, walking along lovely quiet country lanes, past farmland and Weetwood Moor, a sandstone moorland rich in prehistoric remains. Before reaching Fenwick the trail passes St Cuthbert’s Cave.
Day 8: West Mains to Lindisfarne, the Holy Island 6 miles
Walking on from Fenwick the path soon reaches the causeway out to Lindisfarne, the Holy island. Lindisfarne is one western Europe’s most important Christian sites, the first abbey dating back to 635AD. The Priory that now stands in ruins is 11th century. The castle on the island dates back to Henry VIII, is now run by the National Trust and well worth a visit. The causeway to Holy Island is tidal and so this holiday is only available when the tides are favourable.
Optional Day: Extra day to explore Lindisfarne
This island is a special place with so much to see a great place to extend your stay.
Optional extra day walking:
Extend your holiday by taking an extra day walkig 14 miles to Berwick-on-Tweed.
Day 9: Depart after breakfast
Or you can extend your walking holiday by walking the Northumberland Coast Path north to Berwick upon Tweed, or St Oswald’s Way south to Hadrians Wall Path.
We can transfer you to your car or station.
St Cuthberts Way Walking Holiday
9 day itinerary
Melrose to Lindsfarne (Holy Island)
7 days walking and 8 nights
Suggested Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrive Melrose, Southern Scotland
Day 2: Melrose to St Boswells 7 miles
Day 3: St Boswells to Jedburgh 12 miles
Optional Day: extra day to explore Jedburgh
Day 4: Jedburgh to Morebattle 13 miles
Day 5: Morebattle to Hethpool 12 miles
Day 6: Hethpool to Wooler 8 miles
Day 7: Wooler to West Mains. 13 miles
Day 8: West Mains to Lindisfarne, the Holy Island 6 miles
Optional Day: Extra day to explore Lindisfarne
Optional Day: extend your holiday by taking an extra day walking 14 miles on to Berwick-on-Tweed
Day 9: Depart after breakfast
9 day itinerary 8 nights
| Double or Twin Occupancy | Single Occupancy travelling with others | Solo Traveller |
|
| 2024 | £1,048 | £1,520 | £1,680 |
All prices subject to change
Extra nights in Holy Island/Lindisfarne from £74 per person
This 71 mile walking holiday starts in Melrose in Scotland, crosses the Scottish Borders and ends at the Holy Isle of Lindisfarne on the Northumbrian Coast.
This is one of our Northern England Walking Holidays, and also one of our Pilgrimage Walking Holidays.
Optional Accommodation Upgrades for
St Cuthberts Way Walking Holiday
Can be added when booking online
Subject to availability Supplement per person per night
Holy Island
Manor House Hotel
double/twin
£89.00
single
please ask
Berwick-upon-Tweed
Queens Head Hotel
double/twin
£56.00
single
please ask
What’s included
in your St Cuthberts Way Walking Holiday in Scotland and England
- accommodation at high quality guest houses, inns or small hotels on a bed and breakfast basis
- room with en-suite or private bathroom, tea and coffee making facilities
- daily luggage transfer
- support should there be any problems on route
- detailed itineraries
- OS 1:25,000 map
- guide book to St Cuthbert’s Way
Optional Extras
for your St Cuthberts Way Walking Holiday in Scotland and England
- upgrade to the region’s most elegant, prestigious and famous hotels, where available
- transfers back to car or station
- parking facilities
- rest days
- inn to inn walks
What’s not included
in your St Cuthberts Way Walking Holiday in Scotland and England
- lunches and dinners
- travel insurance
Lunches and Dinners
These are not included.
Evening meals
These are available at overnight locations, either at your accommodation or in the town/village.
Packed lunches
These can be provided by your accommodation or can be obtained from a local store, or cafe or inn along the route.
Holiday Travel Insurance
We require that you take out holiday insurance as Let’s Go Biking Ltd accepts no liability for the following:
cancellation, personal accident, illness, loss/theft of personal possessions and/or money, and any unforeseen circumstances, especially travel delays.
This is in addition to our existing
booking conditions.
Please contact us if you have any questions.
Our telephone Lines are open 7 days a week.
UK +44 (0)1837 880075
or +44 (0)207 193 1252
March to September 9am to 9pm
October to February 9am to 5pm
US +1 (646) 233-1541
New York 5 hours behind UK time:
March to September 4am to 4pm EST
October to February 4am to 12noon EST
AUS +61 (02) 8006 0182
Sydney 10 hours ahead of UK time:
March to September 7pm to 7am EADT
October to February 7pm to 3am EADT
CAN +1 (647) 4786251
Toronto 5 hours behind UK time:
March to September 4am to 4pm EST
October to February 4am to 12noon EST
or
St Cuthberts Way Walking Holiday:
How to get there:
- By Plane to Newcastle or Edinburgh, where we can arrange transfer to the start of the route
- By Car to Melrose or Lindisfarne where parking is available
- By Train / Bus to Melrose
Our pilgrimage walking holidays in the UK include Pilgrims Way, Clarendon Way, Saints Way, St Cuthberts Way and St Oswalds Way.
This is one of our categories of walking holidays.
