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Durham Cathedral Community of Prayer

The story of Durham Cathedral’s online Community of Prayer is a remarkable one.  Emerging as a beacon of hope in the darkness of the pandemic, it continues to draw together individuals both local and global as pilgrims on the way of faith.

Having journeyed together for four years on line, we now have another opportunity to meet in person at the Cathedral where it all began - a place of belonging for us all.

During our pilgrimage we will spend time together at the Cathedral. We will also visit places connected with the life of Saint Hilda, beginning on the island of Lindisfarne and ending in the atmospheric ruins of Whitby Abbey overlooking the sea.

We hope very much that you can join us, but promise an online element so that those who can’t be in Durham will be included too!

 

Itinerary

  1. Travel to Durham (D, DR)

    Independent travel to Durham.  Check in at St Chad’s College from 2.00pm onwards.  Time to explore Durham before our welcome dinner in the evening.  A service of Compline will draw the day to a close.

    Key to symbols: B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner, DR = Drink

  2. DAY 2 – ‘Community Time’ at Durham Cathedral (B, D, DR)

    The Community of Prayer gathers for some time together, beginning with Morning Prayer.  During the day we will learn a little more about Saint Hilda, whose life and witness we will be exploring during this pilgrimage as we seek to allow her to point us ever more deeply towards God.  There will also be the opportunity for some behind the scene tours of the Cathedral, before the day ends with dinner at St Chad’s College.

    Key to symbols: B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner, DR = Drink

  3. Holy Island of Lindisfarne (B, L, D, DR)

    We journey north through the ancient kingdom of Northumbria to the Holy Island of Lindisfarne where Saint Aidan lived.  There we explore how Aidan encouraged Hilda to embrace her vocation. As we leave the island, there will be the opportunity to walk across the sands to the mainland following the ancient pilgrim route (a distance of three miles through wet sands and shallow water) to symbolise Hilda’s ‘sending out’ in response to God’s call.

    Those who prefer to remain on the island will return across the causeway by coach. A packed lunch will be provided.  En route back to Durham we visit St Hilda’s Church on the headlands in Hartlepool, which sits on the site of the double monastery that Hilda came to be Abbess of in the year 648.  We celebrate the Eucharist together there, before returning to the Cathedral for dinner in the Undercroft Restaurant.

    Key to symbols: B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner, DR = Drink

  4. Whitby Abbey (B, L, D, DR)

    We journey across the atmospheric North Yorkshire Moors to the ruins of Whitby Abbey, which stands on the site of the monastery Hilda founded and served as Abbess.  There we celebrate the Eucharist together and, after enjoying an included lunch of ‘fish & chips’, we will have some free time to explore this beautiful coastal town.

    We return to Durham for dinner in the Undercroft Restaurant before a final service of Compline.

    Key to symbols: B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner, DR = Drink

  5. Cathedral, Lunch and Homeward Bound! (B, L)

    We join together for the Cathedral’s Sung Eucharist before lunch in the Undercroft Restaurant. We then begin our various journeys home.

    Key to symbols: B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner, DR = Drink

    Image Credit: © NewcastleGateshead.com

Essential Information

Included excursions

  • Guided tour of Durham Cathedral
  • St Hilda’s Church Hartlepool
  • Whitby and Whitby Abbey
  • Lindisfarne

Included extras

  • All coach driver gratuities
  • Restaurant and other small gratuities

Included meals & drinks

Meals: a full breakfast each morning, dinner will be served at St Chad's College or in the Undercroft. One packed lunch, one Fish & Chip lunch is included and one lunch in the Undercroft.

Drinks: tea, coffee and fruit juice at breakfast. Wine with dinner.

Getting to Durham

We suggest that you plan your travel to arrive in Durham by 14:00 - when check in at the college opens.

By train

St Chad's College is situated just over half a mile walking distance from Durham Station. For train times and information visit the trainline website.

www.thetrainline.com

By coach

National Express operate services to Durham direct from a number of UK destinations.

www.nationalexpress.com

By air

Newcastle International Airport is 25 miles from Durham with connections to Durham by bus, train or taxi.

By car

There is no parking available at St Chad's College but the nearby Prince Bishops Place Shopping Centre is less than half a mile away. For information call: 0191 375 0416.

Your accommodation

Four nights’ accommodation in the heart of Durham just a short stroll from the cathedral in St Chad's College. All rooms are en-suite and there are a plenty of single rooms.

 

 

 

 

Practical information

Clothing

The UK weather and English summer has its own mood as we are all aware. Please do cater for all eventualities remembering that the eastern coastal winds can make warmer days still seem cooler. Also comfortable walking shoes, trainers or boots would be advisable.

Mobility

There is a certain amount of walking (and stairs) involved on a daily basis on this pilgrimage so please make sure you pack comfy footwear for this so that you are prepared. Your Local Guide and Tour Leader will keep you updated on a daily basis with what to expect the following day. If you are finding it difficult to keep up then please make sure you tell them so they can help you to find places to rest and relax and then you can re-join the group at a later stage.

Whilst this is not a trekking or adventure holiday there will be some walking required where you may be on your feet for up to 90 minutes and the terrain may be a little uneven. The paving may not always be smooth and seating not always available.

Cancellation insurance

Whilst UK residents are fully covered under the UK National Health Service we do advise that you have insurance in the event of having to cancel your travel plans and need to claim loss of deposits or payments made.

Ensuring that your holidays are appropriately protected is one of our main priorities. That’s why we have specifically chosen Holiday Extras as our *preferred travel insurance provider to ensure that you are protected before and whilst you are travelling. Holiday Extras offer McCabe Travel guests favourable rates for single trip, multi-trip and annual policies.

For more information or to obtain a quote click below for their website

https://www.holidayextras.com/travel-insurance

Or call them on 0800 083 3551 to speak to a friendly advisor.

Please quote AG628 upon calling to receive the best rates

The McCabe Educational Trust

The McCabe Educational Trust is an independent registered charity with the aim of helping inspiring people we meet on some of our pilgrimages. As ‘the haves’ encounter the ‘have nots’ the Trust has become a practical tool for one to help the other.

McCabe Pilgrimages invite all travellers to become partners in this work. A £20 voluntary donation to the Trust’s work is added to every pilgrim’s invoice and all money raised in this way is given in full to the projects the Trust supports. This scheme is voluntary and confidential with nobody put under any pressure to participate.

Full financial security

All money paid to McCabe is fully secure. Holidays including flights are covered by our ATOL license from the Civil Aviation Authority, and holidays without flights are protected by our membership of the ABTOT bonding scheme. If a pilgrimage is cancelled, for instance through lack of numbers or for political considerations, McCabe will promptly refund all monies paid.

AITO Quality Statement

McCabe Pilgrimages is a member of the Association of Independent Tour Operators. The Association represents Britain’s leading independent tour operators and encourages high standards of quality and service. McCabe abides by the Association’s Code of Conduct and adheres to the AITO Quality Charter.

You can read McCabe reviews on the AITO website here

 

 

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Dates

Upcoming Pilgrimages

New tour dates are being scheduled - watch this space

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