Walking St Oswald's Way and Northumberland Coast Path

Heavenfield and Cresswell to Holy Island
Guide to St Oswald's Way, stretching 97 miles (156km) through Northumberland from Heavenfield near Hadrian's Wall, to Holy Island (Lindisfarne) and taking in almost the whole length of the Northumberland Coast AONB. Includes an option to continue to Berwick-upon-Tweed on the final stage of the Northumberland Coast Path.

Discover St Oswald’s Way (111½ miles/179.5km), a route that leads from Heavenfield through Northumberland’s scenic heartland and historic villages, before reaching the iconic Holy Island and continuing up the coast to Berwick-upon-Tweed. Or follow the Northumberland Coast Path (71½ miles/115km), tracing the breathtaking shoreline from Cresswell to Berwick-upon-Tweed, where sweeping beaches, dramatic castles, and panoramic sea views await at every turn.

Ideal for walkers of all abilities, both St Oswald’s Way and the Northumberland Coast Path are easy long-distance walks with no technical or exposed sections. This comprehensive Cicerone guidebook divides the trails into manageable daily stages and provides advice for flexible itineraries, allowing you to walk at your own pace, whether over a week or in shorter sections.

• Explore the historic sites of Warkworth Castle, Bamburgh Castle, and the iconic Holy Island (Lindisfarne), as well as the Simonside Hills, Coquet Valley, and the vast sandy beaches along the Northumberland Coast AONB. Both St Oswald’s Way and the Northumberland Coast Path trails finish at the border town of Berwick-upon-Tweed.
• Enjoy Northumberland’s rich heritage, from Norman churches and medieval abbeys to dramatic castles and archaeological sites. Explore quiet villages, Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs), and sample the region’s outstanding hospitality along the way.
• St Oswald’s Way and the Northumberland Coast Path can be walked year-round, though the best conditions are typically from May to August, when the weather is at its finest, and the landscape bursts with colour and wildlife.
• Each stage features a detailed route summary with distances, walking times, and practical advice about accommodation, public transport, and facilities in key locations such as Rothbury, Warkworth, Bamburgh, Craster, Holy Island, and Berwick-upon-Tweed, ensuring you’re well prepared at every step.
• Navigate confidently with OS Landranger (1:50,000) maps and downloadable GPX files, supported by expert advice for planning each stage of your journey on St Oswald’s Way and the Northumberland Coast Path.
• Includes information on local wildlife: spot red squirrels and roe deer in the forests and hills of Northumberland, watch for otters in the rivers, and discover a remarkable diversity of coastal species, from grey seals and puffins to terns and vast flocks of migratory birds at Lindisfarne National Nature Reserve and Fenham Flats.

Plan your St Oswald’s Way or Northumberland Coast Path adventure with confidence and immerse yourself in the history, landscapes, and wildlife of one of Britain’s most unspoilt regions, with the comprehensive support of the Cicerone guidebook.

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