Weardale Pilgrimage
A development group of Christians has formed to plan a Weardale Pilgrimage route, ‘The Way of
Hope’, which will be launched later this year.
The Way of Hope will broadly follow the existing Weardale Way, to run from Killhope to the Faith
Museum at Auckland Castle. The development group is holding a series of public meetings for
businesses, landowners and other interested parties along the route to see the proposed route and
discuss the pros and cons from increasing visitor footfall to our area.
Pilgrimage routes are used by a wide range of people for physical and mental well being, and the
Northern Saints Trails have proved to be very popular.
The Way of Hope will complement the existing routes. The group intends to soft launch the route
at Weardale Agricultural Show in August 2025, and hope that it will encourage visitors to our area,
using local accommodation and hospitality businesses.
Public meetings will be held on the following dates: – Saturday 15 February, Auckland Castle library
10 to 11:30 am – Thursday 27 February, St Thomas’ Church Hall Stanhope, 5 to 6:30 pm – Thursday 6
March, Cowshill Village Hall, 5 to 6:30 pm.
Everyone welcome to attend.
