News
Wednesday 11th February 2026
Pilgrimage series 8 sees seven celebrities embark upon an epic journey of deep discovery
Pilgrimage: The Road to Holy Island, follows a new crop of celebrities traversing the wild landscapes of North East England
With Easter on the horizon, the acclaimed series Pilgrimage returns to BBC Two and iPlayer with a brand-new journey. This latest instalment follows seven recognisable figures from a mix of faiths and worldviews as they embark on a remarkable route through the dramatic landscapes of North East England, tracing the legacy of early Celtic Christian saints.
Spanning three hour-long episodes, Pilgrimage: The Road to Holy Island (working title) charts a 390-kilometre spiritual and physical adventure across Northumberland and the wider North East. Along the way, the group visits some of the region’s most iconic religious landmarks, including Whitby’s striking abbey ruins, the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Durham Cathedral, and their ultimate destination — the tidal island of Lindisfarne.
Combining travel on foot with sections by bus, the pilgrims experience meaningful moments shaped by the very environments that influenced early Celtic Christianity. From rugged coastline and vast moorland to the sweeping Cheviot Hills, the journey offers both reflection and challenge in equal measure.
Among those taking part are Diversity founder and practising Christian Ashley Banjo; actors Hermione Norris and Patsy Kensit; broadcaster Jayne Middlemiss; comedian Ashley Blaker; stand-up comic Hasan Al-Habib; and TV personality Tasha Ghouri — each bringing their own beliefs, doubts and perspectives to the experience.
The route begins on the North Yorkshire coast near the atmospheric ruins of Whitby Abbey, before following a specially curated network of paths honouring three significant seventh-century northern saints: Hild, Oswald and Cuthbert.
Staying true to the spirit of the series, participants carry their own gear and bed down in a range of simple accommodations, from eco pods and remote hostels to shared bunkhouses.
Following St Hild’s Way, the group heads north along the coastline, passing the fossil-rich shores of Runswick Bay before turning inland towards Durham. There, they tackle the city’s famous 224 “Steps of Doom” for their first panoramic view of Durham Cathedral. While visiting the cathedral, they take part in the historic ritual of foot washing and pay respects at the shrine of St Cuthbert.
Continuing towards Heavenfield — site of St Oswald’s pivotal seventh-century battle — the pilgrims encounter severe weather conditions as they explore Housesteads Roman Fort along Hadrian’s Wall.
Their journey also includes visits to culturally significant locations such as Newcastle’s Reform Synagogue, established in the 1960s by local worshippers including Jewish refugees who escaped Nazi persecution. The synagogue remains closely connected to modern migrant communities. Another stop is Nether Springs retreat centre, where daily life is shaped by the teachings of the northern saints.
Joining St Oswald’s Way, the route leads back to the North East coast and to a medieval hermitage carved into rock within the grounds of Warkworth Castle — accessible only by boat.
Crossing into the Scottish Borders, the pilgrims take on St Cuthbert’s Way. This final trail honours the monk, bishop and hermit, culminating in a demanding ascent of Wideopen Hill in the Cheviots, where sweeping 360-degree views await. The path then descends towards Cuthbert’s Cave, believed to have sheltered monks carrying the saint’s coffin during Viking raids.
After 12 testing days, the group reaches Pilgrims’ Way — the historic tidal causeway that has, for centuries, guided travellers across the sands to Lindisfarne, also known as Holy Island.
Monday 5th August 2024
New St Oswald’s Way official guidebook features advice, maps and information for completing the scenic walk
‘St Oswald’s Way – Official Guidebook’, published by Northern Heritage: £12.99 (paperback)
New for 2024, ‘St Oswald’s Way – Official Guidebook’ contains comprehensive information, maps, and advice to complete this scenic Northumberland walk. Written by Martin Paminter of the St Oswald’s Way Management Group, the guidebook contains everything you need to know ahead of and while following the famous route.
St Oswald’s Way is a long-distance route that takes walkers through some of the finest Northumberland landscapes, exploring the county’s fascinating history. As its name suggests, places associated with St Oswald, the King of Northumbria in the early 7th century, are linked up along the way. St Oswald played a major part in bringing Christianity to Northumbria and his story is key to the region’s heritage, making this walk particularly special.
The 97-mile (156km) route is divided into six sections travelling from north to south, beginning at Holy Island (Lindisfarne), before moving inland across picturesque countryside to Heavenfield and UNESCO World Heritage Site Hadrian’s Wall.
St Oswald’s Way is a walk that is rich with historic castles, beautiful coastline, unique islands, scenic river valleys and rolling hills, as well as villages, forests, and farmland. The new book is a go-to guide for completing the route, with useful information provided about parking, public toilets, bus stops, food and drink, and other facilities.
The book contains maps and key advice for all six sections of the route: Holy Island to Bamburgh (19 miles/31km), Bamburgh to Craster (14 miles/22km), Craster to Warkworth (13.5 miles/21.5km), Warkworth to Rothbury (18 miles/29km), Rothbury to Kirkwhelpington (15 miles/24km) and Kirkwhelpington to Heavenfield (17.5 miles/28.5km).
From preparing for your walk and following the countryside code to accommodation and tourist information, this is a handy tool to begin referring to from the planning stages. With a map of the whole route, signage information and a route distance table, walkers can use this book to complete any or all sections. It’s also worth knowing that after completing the entire route, walkers qualify for a commemorative certificate as a memento of their journey.
Soak up the beauty, history, and glorious views that Northumberland boasts, with standout places including Dunstanburgh Castle, Alnmouth Bay, Brinkburn Priory, Simonside Hills, and Kirkwhelpington village. While enjoying this route, the book will provide a historical guide as well, with plentiful detail about each section’s heritage and connection to St Oswald himself.
Small and light enough to carry along the way, it’s an interesting and useful guide which is easy to follow and packed with helpful insight for completing St Oswald’s Way.
The walk is supported by the St Oswald’s Way Management Group, and profits from the sale of this guidebook will help them protect this route for the future. The organisation is currently seeking volunteers to look after this important path. Support from those willing to volunteer their time is a much-valued resource, ensuring everyone can continue to enjoy St Oswald’s Way. More details are available at www.stoswaldsway.com
Paperback: 104 pages, £12.99
ISBN: 9781739486136
Available from:
Northern Heritage Services Ltd
01670 789940