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St Oswald's Way - 8 Days & 7 Nights

8 Days & 7 Nights 4.4 Read 23 reviews
  • Arriving on Lindisfarne before your walk and exploring Lindisfarne Castle and Priory.
  • The abundance of religious and local history.
  • Following the breathtaking Northumberland Coastline and staying in seaside villages.
  • Trying out the famous oak-smoked kippers in Craster.
  • Walking through the heather-clad moors of the Simonside Hills.
This itinerary fits perfectly into a weeks holiday. Some days are long and challenging and it’s recommended for experienced walkers. The St Oswald’s Way is a fascinating, historical 97 mile walk through some of the finest landscapes in Northumberland. The walk hugs the coastline heading south from Holy Island before heading inland across beautiful countryside to Heavenfield. This walk will energise and enrich you with the fascinating history and wonderful landscapes of England’s northernmost county. Starting your walking adventure in Holy Island you follow the stunning Northumberland Coastline from Bamburgh with its famous Castle, past small seaside villages down to the fishing village of Craster and on through Alnmounth to Warkworth. The walk then heads inland across the beautiful countryside to Rothbury and south to Heavenfield in Hadrian’s Wall country. The walk links places associated with St Oswald, the King of Northumbria in the early 7th Century, who played a major part in bringing Christianity to his people. Your holiday features hand-picked overnight accommodation in high quality B&B’s, country inns, and guesthouses. Each is unique and offers the highest levels of welcome, atmosphere and outstanding local cuisine. We also include daily door to door baggage transfers, a comprehensive guide book with detailed maps and pre-departure information pack as well as emergency support, should you need it.
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The St. Oswald's Way is a glorious walk through Northumberland's coastline. If you are a budding historian, then the plethora of sites of interest that are scattered along the route will appeal greatly.

Tour Type:

Classic Routes | If you’re the active, outdoorsy type, who’s interested in taking on the great routes of the world or looking for a challenge, then our Classic Routes are for you. We’re talking the West Highland Way, Tour Du Mont Blanc and the Passau to Vienna Danube Cycle Path, to name but a few!

Activity:

Inn to Inn Walking | Walk from place-to-place changing accommodations each night. Generally staying in B&B’s, inns, and guesthouses.

This trip is suitable for:

Solo Travellers

Ideal if you have an interest in:

  • Long-Distance Trails

Activity Level & Terrain

The St Oswald’s Way 9 Day / 8 night is graded Moderate and the slightly shorter version of the 8 day / 7 night is graded Moderate to Strenuous as there due to some long days towards the end. The "Best of" Itinerary is however graded as Easy to Moderate.

Generally, the terrain will be varied with some rough and rugged footpaths, with ascent and descent involved, so a good level of fitness will be required. The route also includes a few sections where you are required to climb over a dry stone wall on a ladder stile, extra care should be taken at these points.

Navigation

The route is waymarked with the ‘St Oswald’s Way logo - a bold black arrow (normally on wooden posts or signs). We provide you with a comprehensive guidebook and the maps and GPX tracks are also available through our smartphone app, so you shouldn’t have any problem finding your way. 

Accommodations

One of the highlights of this tour is the high standard of the accommodation. We specifically choose the hotels, inns, guesthouses and B&B’s to ensure that you enjoy every minute of your stay. All offer a warm welcome to walkers, traditional hospitality and delicious local food.

Single Rooms

This independent walking holiday is available to solo walkers at a supplement.  Please note that singles may not be of the same standard as twins/doubles.

Accommodation Location

We will always try and accommodate you at the locations detailed in the itinerary, but because of limited availability we may have to accommodate you at an alternative location. Alternative details will be noted on your accommodation sheet.

Included
  • Hand picked accommodation in B&B's, guesthouses and country hotels and inns.
  • Breakfast each morning.
  • Daily door to door baggage transfer.
  • A detailed information pack, guide book with map for your party.
  • Emergency telephone support from our office in the event of a problem.
Excluded
  • Travel to the start or from the finish of the walk.
  • Lunches, dinners, snacks and drinks.
  • Travel Insurance.
  • Personal Equipment.
  • Taxi transfers or public transport should you need to skip a stage.
Extras
  • Additional nights before, during or after your walk.

When To Go

You can start this walking tour on any day of your choice between April and mid-September. An extended season into the end of September/October is on offer. However due to luggage transfer restrictions solo walkers cannot travel on these tours at this time

Getting to the Start

By Air

Edinburgh and Newcastle airports are the closest options.  Onward travel is by rail or coach

By Coach/Rail

There is a railway station in Berwick upon Tweed and there is a bus service from here to Holy Island which only operates April - September 1st. Alternatively you can take a taxi.

By Road

We generally recommend using public transport as parking is generally not available in Holy Island.

Getting from the End

By Air

Edinburgh and Newcastle airports are the closest options.  Travel by rail and /or coach.

By Coach/Rail

We include your last night in either Wall/Chollerford whcih is a mile from the official end of the walk in Heavenfield.  Regular buses run between Wall and Hexham and then from Hexham there are buses to Newcastle along with a train service.

The best way to plan your journey if the Traveline Website.

Luggage Transfer

Your bags will be collected from your accommodation each day and moved onto your overnight accommodation. We ask you limit your luggage to one bag of 20kg.

General Information

The distances and ascent/descents are approximations of the recommended routes. 

Equipment

Please be prepared by packing all necessary items, for example, proper rain gear (jacket and trousers), sun hat, sunscreen. Your information pack has a detailed equipment list which includes standard walking gear such as good walking boots or shoes, warm and waterproof clothes for the cooler months and lightweight clothing for summer, and a daypack.

Travel Insurance

It is a requirement of booking this tour with Macs Adventure that you have suitable travel insurance which covers you for the activity and emergency evacuation and hospital care.

How fit do I need to be?
How far in advance do I need to book?
What personal equipment do I need?
When is the best time of year?
Should I check the tides for Holy Island?
Am I able to take my dog?
What happens if I can’t walk a stage?

Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive in Lindisfarne and overnight Day 2 Lindisfarne to Bamburgh 19 miles / 30 km Day 3 Bamburgh to Craster 14 miles / 23 km Day 4 Craster to Warkworth 13.5 miles / 21.7 km Day 5 Warkworth to Rothbury 18 miles / 29 km Day 6 Rothbury to Knowesgate and transfer to Chollerford Area 13.5 miles / 21.7 km Day 7 Knowesgate to Heavenfield/Overnight in Chollerford Area 19 miles / 30.5 km Day 8 Onward travel

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