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Cathedral to hold new pilgrimage and retreat

Catherine LeeNorth East and Cumbria
Durham Cathedral Back view of the head and shoulders of a group of walkers on a path with buildings to one side and a river on the other. They are wearing anoraks or kagoules and some have small backpacks. Ahead of them an arched stone bridge spans the river and Durham Cathedral and Castle stand to one side above it.Durham Cathedral
Durham Cathedral is inviting people to join a pilgrimage and retreat

Durham Cathedral has invited people to take part in a pilgrimage and retreat, the first time it has offered an experience of this kind.

The six-day walk, which starts on 19 August from Heavenfield in Northumberland to Durham, follows the Northern Saints Trail and would see participants staying overnight at Ushaw Historic House for "prayer, reflection and shared community", a spokesman said.

The cathedral said all were welcome, including "those of deep faith, some faith, or just curiosity", with the hope it would bring people together.

The 15 spaces were quickly booked out but a full programme is to be launched for 2027.

View looking up at the side of Durham Cathedral. The stone building, in Romanesque architectural style, has a high rectangular tower and smaller round ones in front. The windows are high and arched. Gravestone and tombs can be seen at ground level underneath a sunny sky.
The Shrine of St Cuthbert and the tomb of the Venerable Bede have brought pilgrims to the cathedral for centuries

Revd James Shelton, Director of the Cuthbert Centre for Pilgrimage and Prayer at Durham Cathedral, said pilgrimage had "always been at the heart of Durham's story".

He said: "This new journey creates space for people to slow down, walk together, and encounter God in new ways."

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