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Welcome to the Itinerary Planner. Use this tool to build your own journey or choose from an exciting range of specially selected tours.

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    This is Durham Blog

You are here > Home > Things to Do > The Way of Life

The Way of Life

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Add The Way of Life to your Itinerary

Auckland Tower
  • Auckland Tower
  • Durham City
  • Escomb Saxon Church
  • Auckland Castle
  • Durham Castle
  • St Mary's Church

About

The Way of Life is one wondrous route: healing waters, one of England ’s oldest churches and a palatial castle where Prince Bishops once resided, plus places where St Cuthbert made miracles occur.

The Way of Life commences in the most rejuvenative manner possible at one of Durham’s loveliest villages, the spa village of Gainford: a vital early Christian settlement raised around St Mary’s Church and Well, alongside waters thought to have had healing properties since pagan times.

Holy places lie scattered all along this trail. There is the captivating but understated Escomb Saxon Church, perhaps England’s oldest still-complete Saxon church. There is the ancient residence of the Prince Bishops of Durham, Auckland Castle, only recently restored to its full glory. Then there are the tales of two different miracles attributed to St Cuthbert to unravel as you forge north towards Durham Cathedral.

This is alongside some jaw-dropping monuments to the people that once made their living hereabouts: one of the biggest Roman fortifications in Northern Britain, Binchester Roman Fort, and the locomotive legacy of the world’s first passenger carrying, steam operated, public railway, built by George Stephenson, at Etherley Incline. Nor does the path stay stuck in the past: just tarry in revitalised Bishop Auckland to see how history has been honed into some fascinating new attractions.

As it twists through gentle farmland, woodland, parkland and riverside, and via some sensational country cafés, pubs, hotels and spas, The Way of Life is a walk that soothes more than it tires. If its final climb, Mountjoy, is anything to go by, it will leave hikers feeling very happy indeed.

The Northern Saints Passport allows visitors to collect stamps at attractions and places to eat and drink along the six Northern Saints routes. Look out for venues that showcase the passport icon on the Northern Saints Trails website. View the current participating venues, with new locations added regularly.

The Northern Saints Trails Visitor Guide is a 55-page full colour guide that includes route descriptions and maps of the six Northern Saints Trails.

Details of how to purchase the Northern Saints Passport and the Northern Saints Trails Visitor Guide can be found on the website - http://northernsaints.com/

For full route descriptions download the documents below.

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Access Information

Opening Times

Season (1 Jan 2022 - 31 Dec 2022)

Map & Directions

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Highlights...

deer park auckland castle county durham Auckland Castle Deer House and Park, Bishop AucklandAuckland Castle commands a prominent position overlooking the River Wear, surrounded by formal gardens and 150 acres of idyllic parkland. The highlight is a Deer House built in 1760 in Gothic Revival style constructed as a folly to provide shelter.

The Auckland Project, Bishop AucklandJourney through a thousand years of history, art, culture and faith at The Auckland Project in Bishop Auckland.

Ruins at Binchester Roman FortBinchester Roman Fort, BinchesterRemains of Commandant's house and neighbouring bath-house containing one of the best preserved examples of a hypocaust (underfloor heating system) in the whole of Britain.

The Courtyard of Durham Castle, showing the Gatehouse and Great Hall and Garden StairsDurham Castle, Durham CityDurham Castle is part of the Durham City World Heritage Site. Entrance by guided tour only. Opening can vary - All enquiries re guided tours should be directed Palace Green Library. Telephone 0191 334 2932 or castle.tours@durham.ac.uk.

Family walking up to Durham CathedralDurham Cathedral, Durham CityThought by many to be the finest example of Norman church architecture in England, with the tombs of St Cuthbert and The Venerable Bede. Please check opening times before travelling.

Escomb Saxon ChurchEscomb Saxon Church, EscombOne of England's finest Saxon churches, Escomb dates to the 7thC and contains a Roman arch and stonework. If locked keys available from 28 Saxon Green (daily 9-6 during summer and 9-4 during winter).

World Heritage Site Visitor CentreWorld Heritage Site Visitor Centre, Durham CityA free visitor centre providing an introduction to Durham World Heritage Site and what there is to see and do in and around the site. Ideal for families.

A gold cross pendant with arms inlaid with precious stones.Durham Cathedral Museum, Durham CityExplore 2000 years of the North East’s history, culture and faith at Durham Cathedral Museum. Step into the octagonal Great Kitchen and get up close to iconic symbols of Durham, including the Sanctuary Ring and St Cuthbert’s Pectoral Cross.

Exterior view of the Mining Art GalleryMining Art Gallery - The Auckland Project, Bishop AucklandWith three permanent rooms and one temporary exhibition space on the ground floor, the gallery explores working life in the coal mines through original artefacts and artworks by prominent mining artists such as Tom McGuinness and Norman Cornish.

Palace Green Library Exterior DurhamPalace Green Library, Durham CityPalace Green Library, in the heart of Durham city, holds Durham University's special collections. Our galleries are open to all and display treasures spanning millennia and the globe.

Auckland Tower, blue skiesAuckland Tower - The Auckland Project, Bishop AucklandAuckland Tower is the perfect place to get a feel for The Auckland Project, the stunning setting, and to pick up everything you’ll need for your day of exploration.

st oswalds church St Oswald's Church, Durham CitySt Oswald’s is an Anglican church in the centre of the beautiful university and cathedral city of Durham.

Auckland Castle chapel county durham Auckland Castle - The Auckland Project, Bishop AucklandPositioned high above the meandering River Wear, Auckland Castle was once home to the Prince Bishops of Durham, and was the place where they entertained, hunted and worshipped.

A gold cross pendant with arms inlaid with precious stones.Durham Cathedral Museum, Durham CityExplore 2000 years of the North East’s history, culture and faith at Durham Cathedral Museum. Step into the octagonal Great Kitchen and get up close to iconic symbols of Durham, including the Sanctuary Ring and St Cuthbert’s Pectoral Cross.

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