St Cuthbert's Way, the historic pilgrimage route that ends at Holy Island, has been selected for Lonely Planet's Best in Travel 2027 list. The North East walk is rated among the guidebook publisher's 'best experiences' and is one of just two UK picks in an international list.
The route covers 62 miles from Melrose on the Scottish Border to Northumberland, where Lindisfarne marks the end-point of the pilgrimage. Earlier this year, the walk featured in the BBC series Pilgrimage: The Road to Holy Island, which saw seven celebrities follow its path to Lindisfarne, classed as one of Britain's most important pilgrimage sites.
Route highlights and UK representation
Lonely Planet highlights how the route takes walkers "through the wild uplands of the Scottish Borders to Northumberland, through moorlands, past ghostly hillforts, stopping at village pubs on the way to the intertidal zone across to Holy Island."
The only other UK location to make the top list of 25 experiences, otherwise dominated by destinations such as the US, Japan and Australia, is in Ireland. Killary Fjord, in County Galway, is classed as one of the Emerald Isle's most spectacular natural landmarks.
Other experiences on the list
Other entries on the 'best experiences' list include a wine-and-dine trip in Mexico, a stay in Miami's Art Deco hotels, diving among Greek shipwrecks and caves in the Aegean Sea, and a Galápagos expedition cruise. Others include an Antarctic expedition, an Aboriginal art trip in Australia, a food trail in Taiwan and 'flightseeing' in Alaska.
Reaction to the recognition
Patricia Yates, chief executive officer of VisitBritain and VisitEngland, said: "It is wonderful to see St Cuthbert’s Way recognised by Lonely Planet as one of the best experiences in the world to enjoy in 2027.
"Britain is blessed with so many breathtaking landscapes, stunning coastlines and remarkable history and heritage that it is fitting that a trail, which effortlessly combines all three, has received such a glowing endorsement by global travel experts. With more than one in three international visitors enjoying countryside walks during trips to the North East, and as VisitEngland launches its major domestic coastal campaign, we can’t wait to welcome more people to explore St Cuthbert’s Way and the great tourism businesses along its route."
Lonely Planet, which also has a best places list and an app to help people plan trips, says experience-based travel remains a top trend. It has released a Best in Travel 2027 commemorative book.
