A brand-new series of Pilgrimage returns to BBC Two, as seven well-known personalities of different faiths and beliefs, set off on a spectacular trail across the wild landscapes of North East England to explore the lives of early Celtic Christian saints.

The series follows the pilgrims as they weave through the heart of Northumberland on a unique 390 km collection of trails. On the journey, they encounter Whitby’s world-famous cliff-top Abbey, and two of the most important pilgrimage sites in the North East: the UNESCO site of Durham Cathedral and their final destination, the Holy Island of Lindisfarne.

Taking part in this physical and spiritual journey are:

Practising Christian and leader of the dance troupe Diversity, Ashley Banjo; Spooks and Cold Feet actor Hermione Norris, who believes the divine can be found in all living things; atheist, TV personality Tasha Ghouri; stand-up comedian and observant Muslim, Hasan Al-Habib; radio presenter, Jayne Middlemiss who describes herself as spiritual; comedian, Ashley Blaker, previously ultra-Orthodox but is now a non-practising Jew; and actor and self-proclaimed “a la carte” Catholic, Patsy Kensit.

Beginning their journey on the coast just south of the dramatic ruins of Whitby Abbey, the pilgrims travel along a curated network of trails celebrating three of England’s most revered 7th century Northern saints - Hild, Oswald and Cuthbert.

In true Pilgrimage style, the pilgrims carry their own backpacks, and overnight in various locations, from small wooden pods to an off-grid hostel and a basic bunkroom.

Travelling north on the way of St. Hild, the pilgrims take the stunning coastal path to the ammonite beaches of Runswick Bay, before heading inland towards Durham. Here 224 steep and uneven steps, locally known as the ‘Steps of Doom’, lead them to spectacular views and their first glimpse of Durham Cathedral. At this world-famous UNESCO site, the pilgrims are invited to take part in the medieval pilgrim tradition of foot washing, before visiting the shrine of St Cuthbert.

Heading out of Durham towards Heavenfield, where St Oswald won the battle to claim the Kingdom of Northumbria in the 7th century, they face an amber weather warning as they discover Housesteads Roman Fort on Hadrian’s Wall.

Along the way the pilgrims visit several places of interest including Newcastle’s Reform Synagogue. Founded in the early 1960s by the local community, including Jewish refugees who fled the Nazis during the holocaust, this synagogue continues to have strong links with current-day immigrants. They also visit the ‘Nether Springs’ retreat centre, where the daily lives of this community are inspired by the 7th century northern saints.

From here, they join St Oswald’s Way which takes the pilgrims towards the stunning North East coast where they visit a medieval hermitage in the grounds of Warkworth Castle which is carved into a rocky outcrop and only accessed by boat.

In the Scottish Borders, the pilgrims’ last trail, St Cuthbert’s Way - celebrates this revered Celtic Christian monk, bishop and hermit. A challenging walk in the Cheviots on Wide-Open Hill takes the pilgrims to the highest point on the route with its extraordinary 360-degree views. From here, they follow the trail to Cuthbert’s Cave where monks are said to have sheltered with his coffin when fleeing Viking raids on Lindisfarne.

After 12 demanding days, the group finally reach ‘Pilgrims’ Way’, where for more than a thousand years pilgrims have walked across the dramatic and dangerous tidal sands to reach Lindisfarne, known as Holy Island.

We can’t wait to see it!

Airing in April 2026…..