Uncover the Secrets of St Cuthbert’s Cave in Northumberland
Hidden among the trees on a quiet hillside in Northumberland, St Cuthbert’s Cave is one of the region’s most evocative and historic landmarks. Surrounded by wild landscapes and steeped in early Christian legend, the cave is well worth seeking out — whether you’re a walker, a history lover, or simply in search of a peaceful place to pause and reflect.
What is St Cuthbert’s Cave?
St Cuthbert’s Cave is a natural sandstone overhang located near the hamlet of Holburn, not far from Belford. Known locally as Cuddy’s Cave, it sits just beneath a wooded crag and is now managed by the National Trust.
The cave is believed to have provided shelter to the monks of Lindisfarne in AD 875, as they fled the threat of Viking raids. According to tradition, this was one of the resting places for the body of St Cuthbert, which they carried with them for over a century before finally enshrining it in Durham Cathedral. That journey helped cement Cuthbert’s place as one of the most important saints in northern England, and this quiet cave became part of that enduring story.
Though modest in appearance, the cave holds an almost spiritual atmosphere. Hewn naturally from sandstone, it forms a shallow recess with smooth walls and a soft, mossy floor. Above the cave, a striking wooden cross stands atop the crag — a modern addition that reinforces the site’s long association with pilgrimage and faith.
Why Visit St Cuthbert’s Cave?
Visiting St Cuthbert’s Cave is about more than ticking off a historic site — it’s about experiencing a landscape that has been walked for centuries.
From the moment you arrive, the area’s beauty and tranquillity are immediately apparent. The surrounding woodland offers shade and birdsong, while the higher ground rewards you with far-reaching views. On a clear day, you can see the Holy Island of Lindisfarne, Bamburgh Castle, and even the Farne Islands in the distance — places that all share threads of history with the cave itself.
Nearby, there are traces of other stories too: disused bell pits, signs of peat extraction, and the unexpected remains of a dam that burst in 1948, all of which add further layers to the area’s significance.
A Place of Pilgrimage and Peace
Whether you’re drawn by the Christian heritage, the natural setting, or simply a curiosity about Northumberland’s hidden places, St Cuthbert’s Cave offers a quiet and contemplative experience. It’s a space to slow down and imagine those long-ago monks making their uncertain journey through the wilds of northern England, pausing here to rest, reflect and pray.
Many visitors say there’s something timeless about the place — as if the landscape itself remembers.
Explore It for Yourself
If you’re looking to visit St Cuthbert’s Cave as part of a rewarding circular route that takes in a variety of landscapes, historic features and big-sky views, we’ve created a detailed self-led walking guide which takes in the cave.
👉 Click here to download the walk guide →
It’s one of our most atmospheric walks — and a chance to follow in ancient footsteps through one of Northumberland’s most quietly powerful places.