Cuthbert's final journey may pave way for tourists

Feb 27 2009 by Neil Mckay, The Journal

A GROUP of “pilgrims” followed the footsteps of St Cuthbert’s final journey to pave the way for others yesterday.

Members of the Northumbrian Association marked the final route of “Cuddy’s Corse” – the eight-mile route along the River Wear from Chester-le-Street to Durham Cathedral.

The route was said to be the final journey taken by the monks carrying the body of St Cuthbert, the patron saint of Northumbria, to burial. Thanks to grants from Durham County Council’s Parish Paths Partnership (PPP) the association has produced leaflets and signposts pinpointing the route.

Northumbrian Association treasurer John Danby said the route used by Lindisfarne monks as they carried St Cuthbert’s body around the North East was an unused selling point available to tourism chiefs.

“We have a real opportunity here to show our unique history,” Mr Danby said. He and the association are convinced the region could see a growth in tourist numbers if they revealed to the rest of the UK the North’s heritage as the “birthplace of Christianity in England”.