Pilgrimage

Seven well known personalities of differing faiths and beliefs set off on a unique 390km series of trails through the stunning landscapes of north east England to explore the lives of early Celtic Christian saints. They trek through the heart of Northumberland and the Scottish Borders along a curated network of trails celebrating three of England's seventh-century northern saints – Hild, Oswald and Cuthbert. During the journey, they encounter Whitby's famous cliff-top abbey and two of the most important pilgrimage sites in north east England – the Unesco site of Durham Cathedral and their final destination, the Holy Island of Lindisfarne.

The pilgrims continue their adventure in Durham and visit the 12th-century Norman cathedral, where they are introduced to the ancient pilgrim tradition of foot washing.

The pilgrims are in the Scottish Borders on St Cuthbert's Way in the Cheviots. It takes them on a strenuous route up Wideopen Hill to reach some spectacular views. Later, the pilgrims head to Cuthbert's Cave in the Kelso Hills, where legend says the monks rested with Cuthbert's body when they fled Lindisfarne in the late 9th century in the wake of Viking raids. And on the last day of their pilgrimage, they follow the 5km walk across the tidal sands of Pilgrims' Way, where saints and pilgrims have trekked for over a thousand years. Finally, they arrive at Holy Island, where they reflect on a journey that has brought some surprising emotional revelations.