St Oswald’s Way

Arrive in Lindisfarne, 15 miles south of England’s most northern town, Berwick-upon-Tweed and spend the evening at your first night’s accommodation. The tides will determine your arrival time on Holy Island as the causeway is flooded by the sea for 5 hour periods over high tide.

The St Oswald’s Way begins at Lindisfarne Priory and heads towards the mainland via the causeway (please check the tide times in advance).

After reaching the mainland, the path heads south through Fenwick and Kyloe Woods, with its surviving population of red squirrels. There are wonderful views of the coast before reaching the village of Belford.

The route then heads east-wards to Budle Bay and through stunning coastal scenery to the attractive village of Bamburgh which is dominated by one of Northumberland’s most familiar landmarks; magnificent Bamburgh Castle.

From here the St. Oswald’s Way heads towards the popular seaside village of Seahouses, where boat trips depart for the nearby Farne Islands – home to the most famous bird sanctuary in the British Isles. If you have time it is certainly worth adding an extra day in Seahouses in order to visit the islands.

Today you’ll follow the coast south past seaside villages to Embleton Bay, where if tides allow you can walk on the beach as an alternative to the path.

The St. Oswald’s Way then passes the romantic ruins of Dunstanburgh, a famous Northumbrian Castle, before arriving at the picturesque fishing village of Craster, famous for its oak-smoked kippers produced in the village smokehouse.

From Craster continue south-wards along the coastline and pass the site of Northumberland’s earliest Stone Age settlement at Howick, before arriving at the village of Boulmer.

As you head towards Alnmouth, you can walk along the beach which passes two golf courses, including one of the oldest in England.

After reaching the seaside village of Alnmouth, the route goes through the coastal dunes with splendid views of Amble and Coquet Island. The path meets the River Coquet for the first time at Warkworth, a beautiful village set in a meander of the river beneath imposing Warkworth Castle and Hermitage.

From Warkworth, the trail wanders up the scenic Coquet valley on one of the longest sections of the route. It passes through the village of Felton then through woodland and along riverside paths to Weldon Bridge.

The route then stays on the south side of the river and passes through attractive rolling farmland to reach the picturesque, lovely old village of Rothbury – the ‘Capital of Coquetdale’,

Today the route leaves the River Coquet and heads south over remote but lovely countryside and enters the Northumberland National Park.

It crosses the heather-clad moors of the Simonside Hills and reaches Harwood forest which is protected by the Forestry Commission. Pass through attractive farmland and head down past Knowesgate until you reach the scenic small village of Kirkwhelpington.

The final section of the St. Oswald’s Way heads south-wards through picturesque rolling farmland – this part of the walk is fairly remote – before reaching the village of Great Whittington.

South of here, the route joins Hadrian’s Wall Path and runs west along the famous Roman frontier to the historic site of Heavenfield and the end of the St. Oswald’s Way. There is no public transport or accommodation available in Heavenfield, so we will book your last nights accommodation in Wall or Chollerford – just a mile from the end of the walk. 

After breakfast, you will start your journey home after a wonderful walking holiday on the St Oswald’s Way.