St. Oswald’s Way Walking Holiday Reviews

By Bilbo Bagginsfrom Surrey on 2012-01-05

Pros:  Great Coastline,Well Organised,Great Accommodations,Fun
Cons:  Tiring towards the end
Describe Yourself:  Occasional walker,World Traveller
Best Uses:  Trying Something New,A good challenge
Bottom Line:  Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

Comments about St. Oswald’s Way Walking Holiday :

Having walked Hadrians Wall in 5 days with Macs in 2010 (and loved it), we wanted another similar challenge in 2011. We did the walk in early October (probably as late as you would want to leave it). Early half of the walk is relatively level and mostly follows the coastline with huge empty beaches and a castle in every town. The last half of the walk heads in land and slightly more strenuous as number of hills and moors to go over. We did the whole walk in 6 days. At times the route is far from stright and signage a little hit and miss in places, but the guide book from Macs saved us whenever we weren’t sure. Couple of longer days but if you start early and pace yourself you can break the back of each day by lunchtime/early afternoon. Some great pubs to stop at for a daily lunchtime cider refueling. All the accomodation along the route was pretty good and great hosts at all especially the B & Bs. We had a lot of fun and humour along the way.

By Steve and buddiesfrom Bristol on 2011-06-27

Pros:  Fun,Well Organised,Great Accommodations
Describe Yourself:  Occasional Traveller
Best Uses:  Trying Something New,Iconic locations
Bottom Line:  Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

Comments about St. Oswald’s Way Walking Holiday :

Macs helped our party get over some problems starting the trip. They were always helpful, patient and friendly which enabled us to fully enjoy our trip. The locations are beautiful with hunting Castles, wildlife and suprises. The accomodation was comfortable, the food was good and the beer even better. The weather was not always very kind, but that is only to be expected in the North of England and it enhanced the fun.

By Mick the Pilgrimfrom Buckinghamshire on 2011-06-08

Pros:  Well Organised
Cons:  Plethora of caravan parks
Describe Yourself:  World Traveller,Avid Adventurer
Best Uses:  Holiday,Trying Something New
Bottom Line:  Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

Comments about St. Oswald’s Way Walking Holiday :

Well organized. Baggage transfer worked without fault.Accommodation good with only minor quibbles( lack of lock on bathroom door at Stamford Farmhouse, Craster a trifle disconcerting, room at Queens Head Rothbury a little small and up three flights of stairs).The coastal section of the walk is not for lovers of the remote and lonely (lots of caravan parks and day trippers)but that is a problem of the route and not Macs Adventure.Overall worth doing and my friend and I derived a deal of pleasure from doing it.

By Jan & Davefrom Leeds on 2010-09-03

Pros:  Lovely views,Well Organised,Great Accommodations
Describe Yourself:  Seasonal Walker
Best Uses:  Holiday,Trying Something New,History and Landscape
Bottom Line:  Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

Comments about St. Oswald’s Way Walking Holiday :

Exellent walking holiday with some great accommodation. Clearly marked paths throughout. Lovely to have the occassional bath to relax the aching muscles. Would recommend booking ahead for meals if walking over bank holidays or weekends when places can be busy. Very well organised and good value for money.

By Lucyfrom Hindhead on 2010-04-27

Pros:  Well Organised,Fun
Best Uses:  Trying Something New
Bottom Line:  Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

Comments about St. Oswald’s Way Walking Holiday :

We stayed in some excellent pubs and B & B’s, notably Gill and John’s in Belford but the one great disappointment was the Cottage at Craster. All the staff seemed to be leaving, the owner’s lease runs out after the summer and no-one really cared. The evening meal was inedible, the rooms were OK. We were told that we couldn’t eat in as it was fully booked but as a special concession they could fit us in – we + the other guests staying were the only people in this huge pub!

Mac’s Adventure Response: Hi Lucy,
Many thanks for your feedback, and sorry to hear you had a disappointing experience in The Cottage Inn in Craster. We have taken your feedback on board and are looking into alternative accommodation in this area.

By The Geriatric Walkersfrom Guildford on 2010-07-05

Pros:  Well Organised,Great Accommodations
Describe Yourself:  World Traveller
Best Uses:  Holiday
Bottom Line:  Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

Comments about St. Oswald’s Way Walking Holiday :

MacsA did exactly what they promised – even laid on perfect weather.

By Margie Wasfrom London on 2010-07-31

Pros:  Well Organised,Varied walking,Wonderful countryside,Fun
Cons:  Some days long walks ove
Describe Yourself:  World Traveller,Keen walker
Best Uses:  Energetic walk,Trying Something New,Holiday
Bottom Line:  Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

Comments about St. Oswald’s Way Walking Holiday :

For experienced walkers this is a great walk with its variety of settings & fantastic coastal & hill walking.

A short walking day on day 3 meant we could include a boat trip to the Farne Islans (brilliant).

Due to few places to stay in the last 50 miles – it makes long day walks for the last 3 days.

One of our night’s accommodation was not up to standard (more details being sent).

Images shared by: Margie Was

By Pam the walkerfrom kent on 2010-07-25

Pros:  Well Organised,Great Accommodations,Fun
Describe Yourself:  World Traveller
Best Uses:  Holiday
Bottom Line:  Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

Comments about St. Oswald’s Way Walking Holiday :

The beach walking was terrific, better than anything we had previously experienced. Beautiful beaches with niot too many people! The people we meet were all warm and friendly and the B&Bs were all good quality.

By Hadrian Hikersfrom London on 2010-04-30

Pros:  Fun,Well Organised
Cons:  N
Describe Yourself:  World Traveller
Best Uses:  Holiday,Relaxation
Bottom Line:  Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

Comments about St. Oswald’s Way Walking Holiday :

Most of the B&Bs were excellent. Clean,efficient, delicious breakfasts, nice cotton sheets and extremely nice people. The accommodation at Craster was disappointing. Nice people average bedrooms and poor dinner and breakfast.

Mac’s Adventure Response: Hi there,
Thanks very much for your feedback and sorry to hear you had a disappointing saty in Craster, we have taken your comments on board and are looking into alternatives in this area.

By dave76from lancashire on 2010-05-13

Pros:  Fun,Great Accommodations
Describe Yourself:  Avid Adventurer
Best Uses:  Trying Something New
Bottom Line:  Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

Comments about St. Oswald’s Way Walking Holiday :

I really enjoyed this walk it was very peaceful and the scenery was fantastic. all of our accommodation was excellent, and although the comments above say the cottage inn was dissapointing, i wouldn’t say that at all i would like to thank rebecca and all her staff for making our stay very pleasant and enjoyable.

By Jolly Judithfrom North Wales on 2010-06-09

Pros:  Well Organised,Great Accommodations
Describe Yourself:  Occasional Traveller
Best Uses:  Holiday
Bottom Line:  Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

Comments about St. Oswald’s Way Walking Holiday :

Superb accommodation – exceeded expectation – and reliable bay transfer. Pre holiday information and liaison were especially good. Thank you.
Two B and B location descriptions were poor: Fairfield House, Warkworth and Springfield Guest House, Rothbury.
Warning : no mobile phone reception in Craster. Pay phone in pub but shuts at 3pm.