St Cuthbert's Way: Wooler to Lindisfarne

Summary

The final section leaves Wooler to climb over gentle moorland, crossing undulating farmland before visiting St Cuthbert's cave where his coffin was rested en route to Alnwick. The causeway to Holy Island (or Lindisfarne) - where St Cuthbert was Abbot - is only possible at low tide - it is important to check the times before setting out.

Grade (key)

Bog Factor (key)

Rating

Terrain

Country lanes, paths, sometimes muddy. Causeway to Lindisfarne only open twice a day at low tide - check tide times before setting out.

Public Transport

Bus to Wooler.

Start

Wooler. Open in Google Maps.

Walk Statistics

Distance: 28.75km / 17.75 miles
Time: 7 - 8.5 hours
Ascent: 389m (Profile)
Start Grid Ref: NT991279

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Walk Description

User reports (1)

Stage 1

From the centre of Wooler head south east down the main street and turn left down Church Street passing Tower Hill on the left where a 12th century wooden castle once stood and the remains of a stone castle from the 16th century can be seen today along with Wooler's war memorial. At the bottom of the hill, cross the main road and head over the bridge opposite before turning right immediately after the bowling club. Pass behind the houses and turn left at the road to follow this past the school, keep straight ahead to climb uphill into the countryside.

Stage 2

When the road curves sharp right keep straight ahead on the path which soon reaches the open ground of Weetwood Moor, there are good views back over to Wooler and the Cheviots beyond. Where the path forks keep right following the main path and marker post. Once above the gorse the grassy path forks again with a forestry plantation visible ahead, keep left (north east) this time soon reaching the remains of a stone wall. Keep on the right hand side to go through a gate and pass a small plantation. Turn left before the next trees and head to a stile and turn left downhill to the road at the old stone Weetwood Bridge. Cross the bridge and keep straight on up the road signed for Horton. Follow the road as it bends right eventually reaching East Horton. Turn left here near the phone box and a short way up the road turn right onto a farm track which undulates, passing a WWII pill box and crossing a stream before climbing up to an old schoolhouse where you continue straight across the road onto a lane.

Stage 3

When the lane bends right turn onto a footpath heading left (north). Soon turn right through a gate and head diagonally left on a faint path which soon becomes clearer and leads to a crossroads of tracks. Turn right here and at the edge of the plantation at Cockenheugh turn left soon reaching St Cuthbert's Cave wood. The cave itself is a short, signed, detour to the right. The large overhanging rock is said to be where the carriers of St Cuthbert's coffin resting on the journey to Alnwick. At the edge of the wood go over the stile and turn right to climb uphill.

Stage 4

The Way climbs up with the woodland on your right, giving good views looking back. Once above the trees the route curves right and heads through a gate in a drystone wall. Go immediately left through a second gate in a fence and then right, keeping parallel to the fence at first and then following the marker posts as they lead downhill across the grassy field. In the dip the path goes through two more gates which enclose a footbridge and then continues in the same direction, now climbing once more and heading through yet another gate. After cresting a rise there are views ahead to our ultimate destination, Holy Island. Continue ahead, reaching a track at a signpost. Turn left along the track; it leads past a small lochan not marked on OS maps.

Stage 5

When the track forks keep on the grassy branch ahead. This enters Shiellow Wood at a gate and continues through the forestry plantations. Turn right at a signed junction, and after another 300m keep ahead (both junctions signed for St Cuthbert's Way). Keep ahead at another fork, and then, as the track bends right, continue ahead onto a footpath. This passes a couple of wooden fire lookout towers and crosses another track. The path then runs along the edge of the woodland, sometimes amongst the trees and sometimes on the field edge, and crosses both stiles and gates but always keeps ahead. Eventually the trees are left behind. At the far corner of a field turn left through the gate, and then keep ahead towards the house at Blawearie. Here turn right onto a tarmac road and follow it downhill, staying ahead at a junction.

Stage 6

The road leads down into Fenwick village; turn right at the T junction. There may be bed and breakfast accommodation available here, but there are no other facilities. The road is followed out to a junction with the thunderingly busy A1. Cross this - with great care - and continue down the minor road opposite, signed for Fenwick Granary. After passing the dilapidated barns of the granary the road bends right and leads past a row of cottages. Beyond these, turn left onto a waymarked grass lane. This climbs gently and gives good views to Holy Island with the Castle prominent. Keep right at the top to follow the path round above an old quarry. It curves left and then right to join a muddy lane and then meets a minor road.

Stage 7

Turn right at the road, and then left at a gate to follow a path (Fishers Back Road) down a field edge. This leads down to the mainline railway; the trains here run at great speed so use the phone here to contact the signalman regarding whether it is safe to cross. On the far side, continue in the original direction on the path. Cross a stile by a gate, and then two more stiles in quick succession, before heading diagonally half left through the next field to reach a gate and gravelly track. Head along the track but then turn right to follow a path that leads towards the sea, reaching a twin line of concrete coastal defence blocks. Turn left to follow the line of blocks to reach a road. At the road, check the time against the tide timetables which are posted here; only attempt to cross the tidal causeway to Lindisfarne if you have ample time to make it safely. The causeway is completely submerged at high tide and motorists have had to be rescued from their flooded vehicles. Assuming it is safe, follow the causeway over the mudflats and sands (a National Nature Reserve) to reach Holy Island.

Stage 8

After reaching the island the road runs along the tidal shore for another couple of kilometres before continuing to Holy Island village. This is a beautiful spot, but can be thronged with visitors in the high season. Continue through the village to reach the ruins of Lindisfarne Abbey, founded in 635AD when St Aidan arrived from Iona. A fine statue of St Cuthbert stands just before the Abbey. Before leaving Holy Island, be sure to make the short walk by the coastline to visit the picturesque castle, perched atop a dramatic crag. The castle was remodelled to become a romantic holiday home by Lutyens in the early twentieth century, and is now an attraction run by the National Trust.

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