Here are five spectacular places you need to visit on The Way of the Sea.

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Druridge Bay

Enjoy amazing views as you walk along this beautiful stretch of golden sand. Druridge Bay is an ideal spot for you to have a picnic, or weave through the sand dunes to arrive at The Drift Café, which is full of moreish homemade bakes.

The area is bursting with wildlife so if you’re a nature-lover stop by the nature reserves. East Chevington is a fantastic site for birdwatching. Skylark, stonechat and grasshopper warbler breed on the site. There are also charming parts of wildflower meadow.

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Warkworth Castle and Hermitage

A major highlight of The Way of the Sea is Warkworth Castle which stands magnificently on the hilltop overlooking the River Croquet.  In 1139 Henry, son of David I of Scotland, became the Earl of Northumberland, who is likely to have formed the motte and bailey and erected the first stone buildings. The castle was later given to the Percy family in the 14th century when it is thought the hermitage was created. Continue your adventure by boat to explore the hermitage nearby!

Look out for the new sculptures in the castle grounds, they are part of a series of interactive trails about the lives of people who resided in or near the castle in the early 15th century. 

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Sharpness Point

There probably aren’t many viewpoints you’ve been to from where you can see a priory and castle, a stunning beach, a church and a striking lighthouse but at Sharpness Point you can. It is a headland between the beach Tynemouth Longsands and King Edward’s Bay. As you stand on the headland, look out to your left to Tynemouth Longsands, you may see surfers catching the waves.

Further along in the distance is St George’s Church which has an 180ft spire. On your journey of North Tyneside, come with a curious mind as there are a number of information panels detailing the intriguing history and culture of the region.

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Spanish City, Whitley Bay

Another must-see place is Spanish City, Whitley Bay. Marvelled at by visitors for years, the building has a striking dome which is worth admiring from both the outside and inside. Spanish City was once the performance space for a North East Toreadors group, based off the original entertainment troupe in the Isle of Man. Previously, it was even a fairground, ballroom and bingo hall. It is now a leisure venue which hosts a variety of events and is home to a diverse range of wonderful restaurants.

Stop for a luxury afternoon tea underneath the iconic dome in the Gallery or try fish and chips in Trenchers, the winner of the Best Fish and Chip Restaurant in the UK as part of the 2020 National Fish and Chip Awards.

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St Mary’s Lighthouse

Get the thrill of being on a miniature island by going to St Mary’s Island, home to St Mary’s Lighthouse. Climb the 137 steps to the top of the lighthouse and take in the incredible surroundings. Don’t forget to see the rockpools in the nature reserve! Check opening times and crossing times before your visit.

To find other exciting places along The Way of the Sea check out the trail's dedicated page and follow Northern Saints Trails on Instagram. 

The Lindisfarne Gospels Pilgrimage lasted for 13 days and criss-crossed many of the Northern Saints Trails, including The Way of Life, The Way of Learning, The Angel’s Way and The Way of the Sea. The pilgrimage was organised to celebrate the return of The Lindisfarne Gospels to North East England, when they went on display at the Laing Art Gallery in Newcastle (17 September to 3 December 2022). 

Photo caption: Pilgrims walking towards Fenwick with the end of the pilgrimage in sight - Holy Island.

• Day 1 - Gainford to West Auckland.
• Day 2 - West Auckland to Spennymoor.
• Day 3 - Spennymoor to Durham.
• Day 4 - Durham to Pelton.
• Day 5 - Pelton to Newcastle Upon Tyne.
• Day 6 - Newcastle to Killingworth.
• Day 7 - Killingworth to Blyth. 
• Day 8 - Blyth to Widdrington.
• Day 9 - Widdrington to Alnmouth.
• Day 10 - Alnmouth to Embleton. 
• Day 11 - Embleton to Bamburgh.
• Day 12 - Bamburgh to Fenwick. 
• Day 13 - Fenwick to Holy Island. 

Photo caption: Replica of St Cuthbert’s coffin showing carvings of angels in front of The Angel of the North.

The team of walkers had planned to carry a replica of St Cuthbert’s coffin which was especially made for the pilgrimage, but the death of the Queen just prior to the pilgrimage led to the decision for it to travel in a support vehicle which also carried a facsimile of the Lindisfarne Gospels valued at £7,000 and loaned by the Religious Resources Centre in Durham.

A total of 26 schools were visited during the pilgrimage, with around 3,000 children able to see the coffin and the Lindisfarne Gospels. After the pilgrimage, every school gave positive feedback including the following from Finchale Primary School:

"For us, as staff, we felt that the children got an awful lot out of the whole experience. They really enjoyed learning about the Gospels, carrying out some of the activities in class and then taking part in the walk. They were talking about it for days afterwards!".  

Photo caption: Pupils from Durham High School for Girls approaching Durham from Mount Joy on The Way of Life. 

Team leader David Pott, who is Pilgrimage Consultant for the Diocese of Durham, said: “Most of the schools also had 12 pupils join us for short stretches of the pilgrimage. The 200 or so who did so were often very moved to be able to carry a facsimile of the small St Cuthbert’s Gospel in a leather pouch or our County Durham flag with St Cuthbert’s Cross, both of which came with us every step of the journey.”

David continued: “This pilgrimage took place at an extraordinary time, following so soon after the death of the Queen. On many occasions we reflected on the similarity of St Cuthbert as a person associated so strongly with the gospels, and the Queen herself whose life of service was also influenced so deeply by the gospels.”

Photo caption: Pilgrims set off across the sands to Lindisfarne. 

“We were blessed with fine weather and only one day with rain which in no way dampened our spirits! The final day was sunny and cool and featured the famous walk across to Holy Island in bare feet following the pilgrim posts.

Photo caption: Malcolm Guite reads his Cuthbert poems as singer Alana Levandoski looks on.

The pilgrimage concluded in St Mary’s Church with a memorable concert by the Canadian singer Alana Levandoski and the well-known poet Malcolm Guite who read his poems about St Cuthbert and St Cuthbert’s Gospel, holding the facsimile in his hand.

1. Read and Watch

For a general overview of the Northern Saints Trails, have a read of the homepage, watch the inspiring video at the top, then click on the word ‘ABOUT’ in the menu. This will bring up a list of the Northern Saints Trails, starting with The Way of Light.

Don’t be put off by the long distances, it’s up to you how much of the route you’d like to walk and which direction you wish to go in. Then go to the ‘TRAILS’ section of the menu, click on the one you’d like to know more about, for example The Way of the Sea, have a read of its description, watch the video and have a scroll through some of the images. 

2. Download the Route Description

No need to worry about getting lost on your walk, simply download the route description to keep on your phone. Click on a trail such as The Way of Life, then scroll down to ‘Downloads’ and you will see a Route Description PDF. Most trails have two Route Description PDFs, this is because the routes are in opposite directions. Within the route description download you’ll find detailed information telling you exactly where to go, with maps to guide you and fascinating information about the history linked to each trail.

You can also download the trail leaflet for images of the places you’ll see and intriguing information about the walking route. Plus each trail has a downloadble GPX file which can be used in various walking apps.

3. Look at the Map

It really is easy to know where to head on your walk as there is another map available. On each trail scroll down past ‘Downloads’ and you’ll see a Google map with pinpoints and numbers. Zoom in and click on a pinpoint to give you a text description of exactly where to go at that point of the Northern Saints Trail. Make sure you click on the pinpoint and not the number to view the text; the cursor should look like a hand with the index finger pointing up. 

4. Stay

To have an even more exciting walking adventure, turn it into a walking holiday! Check out the ‘STAY’ section to find a fantastic range of accommodation providers, from elegant hotels such as Lord Crewe Arms by The Way of Light to glamping in a charming garden at The Gables Pod Camping by The Way of Life.

5. Discover Places to Eat and Attractions

Remember to use the ‘FOOD & DRINK’ and the ‘SEE & DO’ sections of the website to make your walking experience even more memorable. For each Northern Saints Trail, you’ll find tasty pit stops and incredible attractions.

Take in the stunning sea views as you dine in the 1910 Restaurant at Spanish City on The Way of The Sea, delve into the past at Newcastle Castle on The Angel’s Way or admire the art at The National Glass Centre on The Way of Learning. Additionally, underneath the Google map of each Northern Saints Trail there is an ‘Along This Route’ section, where you’ll find headings such as ‘Attraction’ and ‘Eating Out’.

Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram for lots of inspiration! We share things to see and do by the walking routes, places to eat and more!

The Way of Life Trail 

Bishop Auckland’s Christmas Town

You better watch out, you better not cry, you better not pout, I'm telling you why, Santa Claus is comin' to Bishop Auckland’s Christmas Town! But that’s not all, as part of the event there will be plenty of great activities. Start off with the Bishop Auckland Town Council's Christmas Party, special guests are performing on the Christmas Town Bandstand with headliners, tribute band Aukestra and local talent Chris Dakers. Then have a fab skate across the huge ice rink or drink a sublime Baileys Hot Chocolate at the Elves Arms!

When? 18- 20 November 2022, various times.

Where? Bishop Auckland Market Place.

The Auckland Project: Winter Experience

The Auckland Project is creating a Winter Experience with a twist! Don’t miss the splendid Neapolitan Nativity scene in the Faith Gallery. The 18th-century Baroque crèche, known in Italian as a Presepe, is a giant Nativity scene staged in a true-life Neapolitan setting. It is an incredible 11ft tall and 15ft wide display. You will see the usual sacred elements such as the three wise men and angels but look closely for other characters such as raucous musicians and boisterous children.

For more Christmas merriment keep on exploring. Deck The Halls is another highlight, The Throne Room of Auckland Castle will be beautifully decorated with a 50ft long dried flower garland. Amazingly, the garland will feature more than 30,000 flower heads, all individually picked from the 17th-century Walled Garden.

When? Various dates and times from 18 November- 31 December 2022.

Where? The Auckland Project, various locations across Bishop Auckland.

The Angel’s Way Trail 

Christmas Time Travel

Newcastle Cathedral invites you to journey through time along an interactive Christmas history trail. Did you know that St Nicholas is the Patron Saint of Newcastle Cathedral? Learn about his fascinating origins, play midwinter games, make merry music, discover what plum porridge is and much more. This is a drop-in event recommended for ages 3-12 but suitable for all the family. 

When? 10am - 12.30pm, 10 December 2022.

Where? Newcastle Cathedral, Newcastle Upon Tyne.

Chorus of Royal Northern Sinfonia: A Choral Nativity

Relax listening to a performance of joyous Christmas music at the Sage, Gateshead. The Chorus of Royal Northern Sinfonia will sing you the Christmas story, using a variety of wonderful Christmas pieces such as, In the Bleak Midwinter, Messiah: There were shepherds and The Three Kings. There will also be Christmas favourites from Handel, Holst and Stanford as well as modern classics and well-known carols. 

When? 7.30pm, 1 and 3 December 2022.

Where? The Sage, Gateshead.

The Way of Love Trail

Jack and the Beanstalk

Fee Fie Foe Fum… it’s time for some pantomime fun! AJ Theatrical Productions will be giving a cracking show of Jack and the Beanstalk at Hartlepool Town Hall Theatre. In their take on the fairy tale, you can have a good laugh with Simple Simon and watch the courageous Jack Trott try to rescue his beloved Jill from the evil Giant up in the sky.

When? 13 - 24 December 2022, various times.

Where? Hartlepool Town Hall Theatre, Hartlepool.

Durham Christmas Festival and Christmas Lights Switch On

It’s the season for pretty lights and you can see a super display at the Durham Christmas Lights Switch On! Stars will be there to entertain us, such as the X-Factor winner Joe McElderry and the fab North East duo Khalysis. There will also be family entertainment and much more.

Durham City will also be hosting its brilliant Christmas Festival! There will be markets galore, to name just a few, the Regional Producers’ Market at the Cloisters of Durham Cathedral where you can buy top quality food and drinks, and The Craft and Gift Marquee on Palace Green is the place to be for handcrafted items, gift ideas and festive decorations.

When? Durham Christmas Festival: 2 - 4 December, Christmas Lights Switch On: 5pm-6:15pm, 27 November 2022. 

Where? Various venues across the city including Durham Market Place and Durham Cathedral, see website for further details.

The Way of Learning Trail

Jarrow Hall Christmas Fair

Visit a charming Christmas Fair at Jarrow Hall. There will be over 50 stalls full of crafts, food, and gifts to purchase! The perfect opportunity to do some Christmas shopping so make sure you come along and support local businesses, artisans and craft people. Jarrow Hall is in fact an attraction in it’s own right where you can enter into the Anglo-Saxon world at the Anglo-Saxon Farm and Village and discover about the scholar Bede at the Bede Museum. 

When? 10am-4pm, Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 November 2022. 

Where? Jarrow Hall, Jarrow, Tyne and Wear.

Make your own Christmas Bauble

It’s not often you hear people say they have worked with molten glass at over 1100 degrees centigrade but that could be you! At the National Glass Centre, you can attend a workshop to create a gorgeous glass bauble to decorate your Christmas tree or to be a stellar gift. Have fun making your design unique by choosing from a wide selection of coloured glass. Age 12+, anyone under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult for the duration of the session.

When? Every Thursday, Saturday and Sunday, from 10 November - 18 December 2022, various times. 

Where? National Glass Centre, Sunderland.  

The Way of Light Trail

Santa’s Enchanted Garden Grotto

Father Christmas is taking a trip to Lanchester Garden Centre, you’ll get to meet him and Mrs Claus in the Enchanted Garden Grotto! As you wander through the magical Christmas Garden, you’ll hear enchanting music, see an array of lights and be able to spot elves and an owl. Stroll down Candy Cane Lane to Candy Cane Cabin for information and tasty treats and warm drinks. Whilst you wait to see Father Christmas in the Elf Writing School, why not write him a letter or draw him a picture? You’ll find Elfin-activity sheets there too. Father Christmas is fully Makaton and SEN trained.

When? Various dates and times from 26 November - 23 December 2022.

Where? Lanchester Garden Centre, Durham. 

Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols 

For a lovely, traditional Christmas service, go to The Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols at Durham Cathedral. The event will begin in the dark as you listen to the dazzling voice of a chorister sing, Once in Royal David’s City. Then you’ll get the chance to sing hymns with Durham Cathedral Choir. Members of the community will give readings, recounting the Christmas story to everyone.

When? 3pm, 22 December 2022

Where? Durham Cathedral, Durham City. 

The Way of the Sea

Festive Afternoon Tea

Indulge in a delectable three-tiered Festive Afternoon Tea at Spanish City, Whitley Bay, an iconic multi award-winning costal venue. You can choose between sitting under the stunning dome in The Gallery or in the fine-dining 1910 restaurant which offers brilliant sea views. 

When? 13 November – 31December 2022, various times.

Where? Spanish City, Whitley Bay

A Victorian Evening of Christmas Crafts

Take part in an exciting evening making Victorian Christmas art at Cullercoats Watch House. As the creative Christmas energy flows, drink a mulled wine and bite into a luscious mince pie. Once finished, you’ll be able to take away three eco-friendly/thrift-inspired crafts. Message WriteSpace North East on Facebook or Instagram to book your space or follow the Eventbrite link.

When? 7pm-9pm, 9 December 2022.

Where? Cullercoats Watch House, North Shields. 

* Newcastle Cathedral image credit Michael Baister Photography.

The Way of Learning Trail

Roker Lighthouse 

Standing majestically at the end of Roker Pier with red and grey granite stripes, is Roker Lighthouse. At just 25 years old, Henry Hay Wake became the new Chief Engineer of the River Wear Commissioners. He led the construction of a new pier, the Roker Pier and Lighthouse, which began in 1885 and ended in 1903. Be sure to marvel at this landmark which is seen as a great engineering achievement. 

Penshaw Monument

Penshaw Monument is a splendid, 70ft high replica of the Temple of Hephaestus in Athens. It was built in 1844, in honour of the first Earl of Durham, John George Lambton. His support for political reform earned him the nickname, ‘Radical Jack’ and he was one of the four politicians involved in the drafting of the 1832 Great Reform Act. As you walk to the monument, you may spot the Lambton Worm. According to legend, it is a worm which turned into a monster! 

The Way of Light Trail

Hexham Abbey 

Hexham Abbey’s history dates back over 1000 years when Queen Etheldreda granted Bishop Wilfrid the lands of Hexhamshire for a new Benedictine monastery. Ancient parts still remain, including the Saxon crypt of Wilfrid’s Benedictine Abbey, where you’ll see a leaf and berry design on some of the stones. In the chancel, there is a collection of captivating medieval paintings in the form of wood panels, some show a dancing skeleton! 

Ushaw: Historic House Chapels and Gardens

Many years ago, Ushaw was born in secret, beginning as a Catholic seminary (school for priests). It is now an arts and heritage venue where they say, wonder, curiosity and amazement collide! Visit the spectacular St Cuthbert’s Chapel which celebrates the Northern Saint’s life. You’ll find beautiful Gothic architecture and striking stained glass windows. Mass is celebrated every Friday in St Cuthbert’s Chapel at 12:30pm and the public is welcome to attend. 

The Angel’s Way Trail

Grey’s Monument 

As you stroll into the centre of Newcastle Upon Tyne, you can’t miss the mighty fine 134ft Grey’s Monument. It was built to commemorate former Prime Minister Earl Grey, who was in office from 1830 to 1834. The well-known tea, Earl Grey is named after him! Fascinatingly, a time capsule was buried beneath the monument’s foundation stone and it contained a drawing of the monument, a list of subscribers to its erection and a collection of coins, medals and tokens. 

Beamish, The Living Museum of the North 

Immerse yourself in the past at Beamish, The Living Museum of the North, an award-winning open-air museum which brings to life the history of North East England. There is not just one building to explore but many! An array of authentic buildings from towns and villages of different time periods have been painstakingly rebuilt and furnished. Pop into Herron’s Bakery in the 1900s Town, where you can watch tantalising bread, cakes and biscuits being made using traditional Edwardian recipes! 

The Way of the Sea Trail

Warkworth Castle

Warkworth Castle is a grand 12th century fortress, towering on a hilltop which looks onto the wonderful River Croquet. It was once the residence of the influential and notorious Percy family, who at times clashed with the Crown. Admire the grandeur of the Lion Tower and look out for carvings of a lion throughout the castle, the badge of the family. 

Tynemouth Priory and Castle

The awe-inspiring Tynemouth Priory and Castle sit magnificently on a headland with fantastic views of the North Sea and River Tyne. It began as an Iron Age settlement, then an Anglo-Saxon monastery, a royal castle and a coastal fortress until 1956. It was even once 
a place where wayward monks were sent by abbots of St Albans to punish them. A letter from the mid-14th century, which may be from one of the exiles, describes their time at Tynemouth: ‘…day and night the waves break and roar’. 

The Way of Life Trail

Auckland Tower

Start your trip to Bishop Auckland with a climb up the impressive Auckland Tower. It offers stunning 360° views across the surrounding countryside, the bustling market town of Bishop Auckland and Auckland Castle.  Although the tower may look ultra-modern, it in fact hints at historic structures such as a wooden siege engine. Inside, there are intricately decorated ceiling panels. 

Binchester Roman Fort

Gain an intriguing insight into Roman life at Binchester Roman Fort, which was the home of a cavalry unit. The fort was founded around 80AD and is one of the largest of its kind in northern Britain. A key feature is two amazingly-well preserved bathhouses. You may think that underfloor heating was a recent invention but one of the bathhouses has a hypocaust (underfloor) heating system, which is in incredibly good condition. Be observant as you walk among the ruins, The Beast of Binchester is about! 

The Way of Love Trail

St Hilda’s Church

St Hilda’s Church is a superb early English church attractively positioned on the Hartlepool Headland, giving you charming sea views. It is believed to be the site of the monastery where Hilda was abbess in the 7th century. She is seen as one of the most important female figures in the establishment of Christianity. There is a visitor centre within the church, and you can enjoy audio-visual displays about its history and an audio tour which details the enthralling story of St Hilda. 

Hartlepool Town Hall Theatre

What may look like an ornate church from a distance, is actually Hartlepool Town Hall Theatre. Originally, it functioned as the Town Hall which opened in 1897 and was designed by architect Henry Arthur Cheers of Twickenham, in the Tudor Gothic style. Now it’s a traditional proscenium arch theatre and the place to be for top performances. Above the window on Raby Road sits a beautifully carved Coat of Arms of West Hartlepool. 

These are just some of the terrific sights along the Northern Saints Trails.
Click on the See & Do section for more inspiration. 

Image of Roker Lighthouse © Dean Matthews, The Auckland Tower ©  Norman Cooper and Warkwick Castle © Jonthan Bailey.

During his visit Scott explored all six of the Northern Saints Trails, criss-crossing the whole North East region to discover the many amazing attractions, places to stay, fantastic food & drink and truly stunning landscapes along the way. 

Click the links below to watch Scott's Northern Saints vlogs and see what he got up to while he followed each of the trails. 

The Way of Life

The Way of Life trail stretches 29 miles from St Mary's Church in Gainford, through Bishop Auckland and finishes at Durham City, crossing many old churches and magnificent castles along the way.

The Way of Light

The Way of Light stretches for 45 miles, from Hadrian's Wall in the north to historic Durham City, with many incredible sights and experiences to enjoy along the way.

The Way of Love

The Way of Love stretches for 28 miles from Hartlepool to Durham City, inspired by female saints - St Hilda, St Helena and St Mary Magdalene. 

The Way of the Sea

Explore the beautiful coast of North East England along this beautiful 35.5 mile coastal trail, stretching from Amble and Warkworth the Northumberland, to Tynemouth and North Shields in North Tyneside.

The Way of Learning

This 38 mile trails begins on the shore of the River Tyne close to Jarrow Hall meandering south through Sunderland and onto Durham City.

The Angel's Way

Follow The Angel's Way trail which starts on the North Tyneside coast and heads 30 miles inland, passing through Newcastle Upon Tyne, Gateshead and Beamish Museum, before ending in Chester-le-Street. 

Watch all of Scott's Northern Saints Trails videos on the Intrepid Escape YouTube Channel.

Read Scott's full in-depth Northern Saints Trail blog on his website. 

The open-air show offers enthralling live summer entertainment which delivers thrills, shocks, tears, laughs, goosebumps and gasps for all the family to experience.

Anne-Isabelle Daulon, chief executive of charity 11Arches, which produces the shows, said: “We are delighted to be staging six performances during the summer holidays, following on from the success of our Jubilee show in June. Kynren is a wonderful spectacle which appeals to all ages, providing an exhilarating gallop through 2,000 years of history in 90 minutes.”

The Platinum Jubilee performance in June drew praise from a wide cross-section of the audience, who were mesmerised by the breathless dash through the ages.

Commenting on the Raring2Go! website, Jenny Eyres, from Harrogate, said: “An experience I’ll never forget. This was an utterly magical experience and the biggest production I’ve ever seen. Every time I thought it couldn’t possibly get any bigger or better something new emerged from the water or flew through the sky. Kynren means ‘Generations’, and this is definitely a production for every single generation to come and see.” 

The Kynren show begins with a boy called Arthur accidentally kicking a football through a window of a hunting lodge at Auckland Castle. 

The scene echoes an event that took place in the 1880s, when a young cleric’s exuberant kick led to the retired Bishop of Durham banishing football in the castle grounds. That prompted the birth of Bishop Auckland FC – one of the most successful amateur football clubs of all time.

Arthur then steps into the Gatehouse of Time to take the audience on a thrill-a-minute journey which shines the spotlight on the Romans, Vikings, Norman Conquest, English Civil War, the Age of Steam, World War I Christmas truce, the Queen’s Coronation and lots more besides.

Audiences watch from the 8,000-seater tribune which provides panoramic views across the giant outdoor stage. Join young Arthur on his epic quest, with rebellions, wars, magic, majesty, celebration and heartache in a dazzling outdoor-theatre spectacular.

More than 1,000 cast and crew put on the show, which starts at sunset and ends in starlight with an epic firework finale.

Grant Younger, who travels all over the country fitting shop fronts, is a volunteer Viking in the show said: “I absolutely love it. We’re all volunteers – or Archers as we’re known - and we’re like one big family. I’ve made so many friends and opened so many doors since I’ve been doing it. It’s hard to put into words just how much it means to me.”

Kynren provides a pre-booked Park and Ride bus service and there is designated parking for Blue Badge Holders, subject to availability.

Gates open two and a half hours before the start of each show, allowing visitors the opportunity to arrive early for food and drink, whilst enjoying live jazz on the lake stage.

For more information and to book tickets visit 11arches.com

• Adults from £26, Under 18 from £16, Children aged 3 and under go free when sat on an adult’s knee. All Kynren prices published exclude a £1 booking fee per ticket. 
• Kynren is performed at 11Arches Park, Flatts Farm, Bishop Auckland, County Durham DL14 7SF.
• Email enquiries@11arches.com or call 01388 436033.

Kynren – An Epic Tale of England is produced by 11Arches, a registered charity, whose objective is to produce world class shows and attractions, underpinned by an innovative and engaging arts, education and community development programme.

Launched in 2021, the Northern Saints Trails cover more than 200 miles and are positioning the North East as the Christian Crossroads of the British Isles. Based on ancient pilgrimage routes, the trails criss-cross the North East, taking in spectacular scenery, historic sites and more than 500 attractions, eateries and places to stay.

The trails are expected to attract 85,000 people to the region between 2022 and 2025, generating a £4.7 million annual visitor spend and supporting 64 new jobs. It is just one of the ways Visit County Durham, Durham County Council’s tourism service, and other partners are supporting tourism businesses and developing the county and wider region as a visitor destination. 

This summer, 26 interpretation panels are being introduced at key points along the Durham sections of the trails to provide further insight into the heritage, landscape and stories that shaped the area. The boards also highlight nearby attractions such as Ushaw Historic House, Chapels and Gardens. 

The installation of the panels comes as the latest figures for the county show clear signs of recovery within the tourism sector, amidst the ongoing challenges of the pandemic and ‘cost of living’ crisis. Despite 2021 beginning with a four-month lockdown, Durham went on to welcome 15.7 million visitors last year, an increase of 38.5 per cent on 2020. Visitor spend also increased by 63 per cent to £826.68 million, while the number of people employed within the sector rose by 48 per cent to just over 10,000.

The figures, taken from independent industry research, not only reflect the increased popularity of staycations but the high standards and innovative approach of tourism businesses in the county. The shortlisting of Durham’s countywide bid to be UK City of Culture 2025 has also had a positive impact. Despite missing out on the title, the bid has significantly raised the profile of the county’s cultural offer on a national level. 

And with multi-million-pound developments underway at attractions including Raby Castle, The Auckland Project, Locomotion and Beamish, the Living Museum of the North, the county’s visitor economy is on track to reach pre-pandemic levels by 2023.

Cllr Elizabeth Scott, Durham County Council’s Cabinet member for economy and partnerships and a director of the Visit County Durham Limited board, said: “The last 2.5 years have been incredibly challenging for the tourism industry and while it’s heartening to see visitor numbers and spend increasing, it’s important we continue to support businesses and encourage more people to visit and stay for longer. 

“This is a key aim behind the Northern Saints Trails, as the routes inspire people to explore more of the region and drive footfall towards attractions and hospitality businesses".

Sanjay Gidda, digital marketing assistant at Ushaw Historic House, Chapels and Gardens, said: "The Northern Saints Trails are a great asset to the region. We are so pleased to be on the route as it encourages people to stop off here at Ushaw and experience all we have to offer, from our interesting history to the wide variety of exciting events and exhibitions we have coming up."

As well as introducing the interpretation panels, further work to enhance the routes is also planned. This includes installing ten new gates, replacing and repairing stiles and improving waymarking. Five people counters were also installed last year to provide useful data about the numbers of people using each route in County Durham.

The Northern Saints Project is a Visit County Durham initiative supported by Durham Cathedral and Durham Diocese. 

The interpretation panels were part funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and researched and written by Jan Williams, an award-winning North East England Blue Badge Guide.

As part of the latest Durham Cathedral Museum exhibition, Meet St Bede, the skull cast has been loaned by The Duckworth Laboratory, Department of Archaeology, University of Cambridge to help tell the story of Bede’s life. 

The skull cast is one of three created in 1831 when Bede’s tomb was opened at Durham Cathedral by Reverend James Raine, although the locations of the other two casts remain unknown. After passing through several private collections, it was donated to Cambridge University’s Museum of Anatomy in the 1870s, and transferred to The Duckworth Laboratory in 1968.  Its uniqueness was recognised in 2015, when the cast was rediscovered by a researcher conducting analyses of the collections at The Duckworth Laboratory. 

Marie-Therese Mayne, Exhibitions & Collections Officer at Durham Cathedral, says, “We are delighted to welcome the cast of Bede’s skull to Durham Cathedral Museum. It’s an artefact that not only has a rich history but one that is also surrounded by intrigue and mystery because of its lost years and its missing counterparts. The skull cast is a very interesting addition to the exhibition as we can learn more about the life of a saint so important to the cathedral and the North East".

The exhibition also includes early printed books of Bede’s work and the Bede ring, which was found inside his tomb.

Marie-Therese continues “The anniversary of Bede’s relics being brought to Durham is a great opportunity to celebrate his life and the impact his work still has on our lives today. We hope to inspire visitors to explore the exhibition and learn something new about this fascinating Northern Saint”.

This year marks 1000 years since Bede’s relics were brought to Durham Cathedral, where they were buried alongside St Cuthbert. Since 1370, Bede’s relics have remained in a dedicated tomb in the Galilee Chapel, which attracts many pilgrims year on year. 

Tickets to the museum are available to book online. 

Across the region you'll find many venues who will stamp your passport as you visit, but this summer a number of venues will be offering FREE passports to pick up! 

Each venue will have 200 Northern Saints Trails Passports to give away! And once they're gone, they're gone! So lace up those walking boots and get out there this summer to grab your free passport and see how many stamps you can collect this summer. 

Free Passport Locations 

Durham

• All Saints Church, Muggleswick 
• Beamish The Living Museum of the North 
• Broom House Farm  
• Land of Oak and Iron Heritage Centre 
• St Mary’s Church, Gainford 
• Ushaw Historic House, Chapels & Gardens 
• Durham World Heritage Site 
• Derwent Waterside Park
• REfUSE Café, Chestel-le-Street
• St Helen’s Church, Kelloe 
• St Edmund's Edmundbyers 
• Old Durham Gardens 
• The Auckland Project, Bishop Auckland
• Ushaw: Historic House, Chapels and Gardens

Newcastle & Gateshead

• Blackfriars Restaurant & Banquet Hall
• The Biscuit Factory 
• Land of Oak & Iron 
• Discovery Museum, Newcastle 
• Great North Museum: Hancock, Newcastle 
• Hatton Gallery, Newcastle 
• Laing Gallery, Newcastle 
• Shipley Art Gallery Gateshead 

Northumberland

• Blanchland Abbey 
• Newbiggin Maritime Centre 

South Tyneside

• Latimer’s Seafood, Whitburn 
• Jarrow Hall 
• St Paul’s Monastery, Jarrow 
• Whitburn Parish Church 
• Arbeia Roman Fort 
• South Shields Museum Gallery 

North Tyneside

• Segedunum Roman Fort 
• Stephenson Steam Railway 

Sunderland

• National Glass Centre
• Sunderland Museum and Winter Garden
• Roker Pier 

Free passports available from Monday 18 July until Sunday 4 September 2022).

Limited to one per person.  

Opening days and times for participating attractions and venues can vary. To make the most of your visit and to avoid disappointment, please check their opening times before visiting.  

Image of stamped passport by Intrepid Escape - Scott Tisson.