The Holystone Way

Lady's Well, Holystone

The Holystone Way is a Pilgrim Way for the Diocese of Hexham & Newcastle. The destination of the Way is the Lady's Well at Holystone. The C5 missionary St Ninian is said to have preached here and to have baptised converts to Christianity in the well pool. St Paulinus is also linked to the Shrine.

The route is 53.9 miles long, involves gentle climbs and passes through some remote countryside.

From the Cathedral of St Mary in Newcastle the route passes through central Newcastle calling at the churches of St Andrew and St Dominic. After a short walk beside Ouseburn the Shrine of St Mary's Chapel, Jesmond is reached. The Way crosses northern Newcastle passing the Church of St Charles Borromeo in Gosforth. After more suburban walking countryside is reached and the Way heads northwest to reach the Church of St Matthew, Ponteland. More walking across farmland follows before joining the St Oswald's Way at Kirkwelpington.

The Way travels north, crossing Harwood Forest to Rothbury where the Holystone Way leaves the St Oswald's Way. The Way turns west passing the Church of St Agnes in Rothbury and then the Church of All Saints in Thropton, both closed (2024). Finally a delightful path follows the River Coquet to reach the Lady's Well at Holystone.

For more information see: www.pilgrimways.org.uk/hexham-newcastle