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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 Light

The Way of Light

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Add The Way of Light to your Itinerary

Hexham Abbey
  • Hexham Abbey
  • Hexham Abbey
  • Durham Castle at night
  • Bowless Visitor Centre
  • St Cuthbert Pilgrimage: Durham Cathedral
  • Map showing alternative route marked in red.
  • Bowless Visitor Centr
  • High Force Waterfall
  • The Way of Light map

About

Welcome to a breath-taking trail that transports you from the dawn of Christianity through to contemporary pilgrimage via Dark Ages battles that changed a region’s faith, abbeys that matched Rome for majesty and a stunning seminary that taught England ’s leading ecclesiastics.

The remote Way of Light provides a larger-than-life low-down on Christianity’s illustrious history in the North East. It starts at the site of a battle victory for the pious future king and saint Oswald, a win that vanquished theregion’s invaders, reunited Northumbria and brought about its Christianisation. It proceeds via historic Hexham and its abbey, and pauses alongside one of the most wondrous testimonies to Catholic faith ever built in Northern England, one-time seminary Ushaw: Historic House, Chapels and Gardens, a glamorous ensemble of Gothic Revival edifices, chapels and gardens.

But settlements are few and far between on this route.

What impresses just as much are the fabulous, far-reaching views from the valleys, forests and fells that form the finest upland scenery on any of the six Northern Saints Trails.

Like a guiding light at journey’s end is Durham Cathedral, with St Cuthbert’s Shrine, but also 12th century wall paintings depicting St Oswald opposite St Cuthbert. For whilst the latter’s cult might have given rise to the cathedral, without the former the North East’s Golden Age and pivotal role in the spread of Christianity may never have come about at all.

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.

Purchase the Northern Saints Passport and the Northern Saints Trails Visitor Guide. 

Book Online – The Way of Light walking holiday.

For full route descriptions download the documents below.

 

Book Tickets

Video

  • Way of Light

TripAdvisor

Downloads

Way_of_Light_436480396.gpx
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Way_of_Light_436480396.gpx

The_Way_of_Light_Leaflet_539403437.pdf
2.1 Mb

The_Way_of_Light_Leaflet_539403437.pdf

The_Way_of_Light_Route_Description_Durham_Heavenfield_1591442630.pdf
4.4 Mb

The_Way_of_Light_Route_Description_Durham_Heavenfield_1591442630.pdf

The_Way_of_Light_Route_Description_Heavenfield_Durham_1055711926.pdf
3.7 Mb

The_Way_of_Light_Route_Description_Heavenfield_Durham_1055711926.pdf

Click here to download Adobe Acrobat Reader

Access Information

Opening Times

2025 (1 Jan 2025 - 31 Dec 2025)

Map & Directions

Map Link

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Highlights...

The Courtyard and Keep of Durham Castle,Durham 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.

view of Durham Cathedral from River WearDurham 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.

Image of an information board showing Durham Cathedral and text describing the World Heritage Site at Palace Green Library.World Heritage Site Visitor Centre at Palace Green Library, Durham CityProviding a perfect introduction to the Durham World Heritage Site for all ages, the visitor centre is the gateway to discovering what it is that makes Durham so significant, and what there is to see and do around the peninsula.

Ushaw Historic House and groundsUshaw Historic House, Chapels and Gardens, DurhamUshaw is set in the beautiful Durham countryside and houses architectural gems by Augustus Pugin and his followers. This amazing venue offers a wide variety of activities, events and exhibitions - something for all ages!

A couple looking at exhibitions inside Durham Cathedral MuseumDurham 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.

Image of Palace Green Library's exterior on a sunny day. Historic Libraries & Archives at Palace Green Library, Durham CityOver almost two centuries since Durham University was founded, our library and archive collections have been growing and evolving with new books, manuscripts and archives being added every year. 

BlanchlandBlanchland, BlanchlandThe picturesque Blanchland was built from stones from the remains of the 12th century Blanchland Abbey. Set between Northumberland and the Durham border in the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

St Mary's ChurchSt Mary's Church, BlanchlandBlanchland got its name from the white habits worn by monks of the Premonstratensian order who founded Blanchland Abbey.

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.

Autumn hills at North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB)North Pennines National Landscape, IreshopeburnThe North Pennines National Landscape incorporates much of the Durham Dales, and is a stunning landscape of open heather moors, dramatic dales, tumbling upland rivers, wonderful woods, close-knit communities, glorious waterfalls, fantastic birds, colourful hay meadows, stone-built villages,…

Sunday, 8th June 2025 - Friday, 20th June 2025

Gareth Davies-JonesA Troubadour JourneyFolk singer Gareth Davies-Jones is walking from Lindisfarne to Durham using St Oswald's Way and The Way of Light and doing a series of small concerts on the way.
more info

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