A UK Pilgrimage: Ancient Steps & Sacred Stories 2026
June 2, 2026 - June 11, 2026
10 Day Tour
Starting at $4950/ person
Public Tour
Step into a slower rhythm on this 10-day pilgrimage through some of the UK’s most sacred and storied landscapes!
Journey with a small group as we “get lost” in historic Edinburgh, wander in the serene beauty of the Northumberland region, and join our steps with ancient pilgrims in Durham. Relish in a sacred pause on Lindisfarne (Holy Island), accessible only at low tide. All along the way, you are invited to find moments of pause and reflection in landscapes rich with spiritual heritage.
This pilgrimage offers a meaningful blend of guided exploration, open space for contemplation, and shared community
About the Tour
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Cost (not including international airfare):
$4950.00 per person (double occupancy)
Single Supplement: $1550Includes:
- Airport Transfers
- Top Rated Accommodations
- Some meals & beverages (as indicated in the itinerary)
- Entrance & Speaker Fees (including a storytelling experience, guided hikes, stargazing, & more!)
- Transportation while on pilgrimage
- Expert guides
- Dedicated Tour Host from Sunlight Tours
Does Not Include:
- International Airfare*
- Some meals & beverages (as indicated by the itinerary)
- Tips for guide(s) and driver(s)
- Incidentals/personal expenses
- Any passport/visa fees not already indicated in itinerary
- Travel insurance**
- All other services/gratuities not mentioned as included
Trip Notes
Other things to know before you go...
Registration Deadline is December 31, 2025
Non-refundable deposit required for this trip: $500
Other payments due: first half payment is due by December 2, 2025 and final payment is due by March 2, 2026. If booking through Sunlight Tours, airfare payments (not included in trip price) are due upon airfare booking.
Cash/Check/Credit Cards accepted.
*We can book your airfare for you or you are welcome to book your own. We would like to work with you on your arrival and departure times so that we can best arrange for transfers to and from the airport. Plan to arrive in/depart from Edinburgh Airport (EDI). If booking through Sunlight Tours, airfare payments (not included in trip price) are due upon airfare booking.
**Travel insurance is highly recommended. As a way to help protect your trip experience, Sunlight Tours offers travel insurance options through our trusted travel partner, Yonder. Free quotes are available. Please contact us with any questions.
Note about activity levels: While we make every effort to accommodate mobility needs, please note that this tour includes walking tours on uneven surfaces and stairs, standing for extended periods of time, bus tours on uneven roads, travel by boat/cruise rides, etc. For more information or questions regarding activity levels and mobility, please contact us.
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*meals provided listed in ( )
Day 1: Tuesday, June 2
Depart US for an overnight flight to Edinburgh, Scotland (EDI).
We can book your airfare for you or you are welcome to book your own. We would like to work with you on your arrival and departure times so that we can best arrange for transfers to and from the airport. Plan to arrive in/depart from Edinburgh Airport (EDI). If booking through Sunlight Tours, airfare payments (not included in trip price) are due upon airfare booking.
Day 2: Wednesday, June 3
[Pilgrimage Theme: Arriving]
Upon arrival at Edinburgh Airport, we’ll gather together to head into the heart of city for a relaxed lunch and a guided tour experience of Edinburgh. After checking into our hotel accommodations, we will join for a welcome dinner together. The evening is yours to explore or unwind as you arrive to this pilgrimage journey. Our overnight accommodations are at Apex Grassmarket Hotel in Edinburgh. (L, D)
Day 3: Thursday, June 4
[Pilgrimage Theme: Getting Lost and Entering Liminal Space]
After breakfast at the hotel, we walk to an outdoor labyrinth to begin our pilgrimage practice. For the remaining of the day, you are invited to “get lost” (in a life-giving way) around the city using the hop on/off bus. We gather together in the evening for dinner and a local storytelling experience. Our overnight accommodations are at Apex Grassmarket Hotel in Edinburgh. (B, D)
Day 4: Friday, June 5
[Pilgrimage Theme: Crossing the Threshold and Wilderness Wandering]
After breakfast at the hotel, we travel by private van to the Northumberland Region of Scotland, where we cross the threshold into the practice of wilderness wandering. We arrive at The Sill (https://www.thesill.org.uk/) for lunch and hiking along Hadrian’s Wall to Sycamore Gap (where once a magnificent sycamore tree stood). We gather again at our overnight accommodations, The Twice Brewed Inn, for dinner together. Our evening concludes with an amazing night of guided stargazing in this dark zone region. Our overnight accommodations are at Twice Brewed Inn in Hexham, Northumberland. (B, L, D)
Day 5: Saturday, June 6
[Pilgrimage Theme: Wilderness Wandering Continued]
Today, you have the morning to wander in the wilderness at your own pace and direction. We again gather for lunch and traveling to our next stop of Durham. Here, we visit the Durham Cathedral for a pilgrims’ tour and an orientation of our location. Afterwards, we check into our hotel and gather again for dinner in the evening. Our overnight accommodations are at Hotel Indigo in Durham. (B, L, D)
Day 6: Sunday, June 7
[Pilgrimage Theme: Pilgrim’s Pause and Sabbath Keeping]
After breakfast at the hotel, you are invited to practice sabbath rest in whatever way feels life-giving to you: explore the town, find a place of worship, go for a hike along the river, simply rest and just be. We gather again for dinner together. Our overnight accommodations are at Hotel Indigo in Durham. (B, D)
Day 7: Monday, June 8
[Pilgrimage Theme: Traveling to a Sacred Center Space]
After breakfast at the hotel we take the train to our next stop on our pilgrimage trail. Along the way, we meet our guide to hike to St. Cuthbert’s Cave. After lunch together, you have the option to walk to Lindisfarne (Holy Island). This three mile trail is only accessible at low tide and goes across the causeway marked by wooden polls (weather and tide permitting). And not to worry, no matter if you choose to walk or take the ride to the Holy Island, our luggage will be delivered to our accommodations. Our overnight accommodations are on Lindisfarne (Holy Island). (B, L, D)
Day 8: Tuesday, June 9
[Pilgrimage Theme: Dwelling in the Sacred]
Breakfast is at our accommodations. Today, you are invited to explore Holy Island as you dwell with the sacred. We will have opportunities for both guided and non-guided experiences throughout the day. We gather again for dinner together. Our overnight accommodations are on Lindisfarne (Holy Island). (B, D)
Day 9: Wednesday, June 10
[Pilgrimage Theme: Returning to the Ordinary]
After breakfast, we begin our journey back to Edinburgh. When we are back in the city, we will visit Dr. Neils Botanical Garden for a closing ritual for our pilgrimage. Then, we celebrate our time together at a local pub for dinner and fun evening activity. Our overnight accommodations are at Apex Grassmarket Hotel in Edinburgh. (B, L, D)
Day 10: Thursday, June 11
Today, after breakfast, we check out of our hotel and transfer to the Edinburgh Airport (EDI) for our flight back to the USA. (B)









I’m a lifelong Lutheran and second-generation female pastor, shaped by my upbringing on an organic farm and ecumenical retreat center. My call to serve has led me across the U.S. and Canada—from disaster relief and shelter justice to parish ministry and youth care. With an MDiv from Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary, I’ve served as a bishop’s assistant, chaplain, and liturgical artist. Seminary deepened my passion for Celtic spirituality and mysticism, rooted in family heritage.
As an unabashed anglophile, I’m especially excited to lead a retreat to northern England and Scotland, exploring saints, storytelling, and pilgrimage. I believe in the power of sacred landscapes to open hearts to God’s presence in new and ancient ways.
At home, I share life with my husband, Phil, and our two cats, Petunia and Peregrin. I love music, liturgical art, birding, historical fiction, needle-felting, wine tasting, and a good cup of coffee shared with friends.
Our Trip Host
The Rev. Rebekah Swanson
Our Sunlight Tours Trip Director
MICHELLE WALKA
Creative Director, Sunlight Tours
Michelle is an artist, spiritual director, and loves to travel (especially within the practice of pilgrimage). When she’s not working with Sunlight Tours, Michelle leads contemplative and creative retreat experiences through Beloved Art and Practice. She lives in Minnesota and enjoys lingering with a good cup of coffee, experimenting with a new recipe, and many outdoor adventures with her husband, Keith, and their pup, Rosie.
Still have questions? We are happy to connect with you.

General Trip Information
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