St Oswald’s Way

This delightful walking holiday traces the footsteps of St Oswald, the Anglo Saxon King who played a significant role in the introduction of Christianity to England. Covering a distance of 97 miles, St Oswald’s Way starts on the Holy Island of Lindisfarne, a place of deep spiritual significance. From here, the route follows the spectacular Northumberland coastline to Warkworth before heading inland along the beautiful River Coquet to the historic market town of Rothbury. The journey then continues south over heather-clad moors, through peaceful forest and rolling countryside, finishing at the World Heritage Site of Hadrian’s Wall.

St Oswald’s Way truly has it all – stunning coastal walking, wild expansive moorland, spectacular geology, quiet fishing villages and picturesque market towns. Along the way, you’ll walk through centuries of history, passing Neolithic rock art, Iron Age forts, Roman sites, medieval castles, eighteenth century limekilns, and coastal defences from World War Two. The trail is a journey through time, revealing layer after layer of Northumberland’s history with every passing mile.

This is a straightforward walk, with its highest point at just over 300m (990ft), making it accessible yet rewarding. There’s an abundance of wildlife too, with opportunities to spot seals and dolphins along the coast, red squirrels in the woodlands, and rare butterflies and plants on the moorlands.

Whether you’re drawn by the history, the landscapes, or the tranquillity of Northumberland’s unspoilt beauty, St Oswald’s Way offers a truly unforgettable walking experience.

Our Holidays

We offer 2 holidays on St Oswald’s Way. In addition to the whole route, which can be walked over 6 to 9 days, we have the Coastal Highlights walking from Lindisfarne to Warkworth over 3 or 4 days.

Please bear in mind that the distances each day are trail distances only. They do not take into account walking to your accommodation. On some days the accommodation might be on or close to the trail but on other days you may need to walk one or two miles to get to your overnight stop.