Wihtby and Runswick Bay are two of places being visited by seven well-known personalities of different faiths and beliefs for a brand-new series of Pilgrimage showing on BBC Two and iPlayer.

Across three 60-minute episodes, the eighth series, Pilgrimage: The Road to Holy Island, follows the celebrity pilgrims as they set off on a trail across the wild landscapes of the North East to explore the lives of early Celtic Christian saints.

On the journey totalling 390km, ahead of Easter, they encounter Whitby Abbey – where the date of Easter was set in 664AD at the Synod of Whitby – 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.

Travelling on foot and by bus, the celebrities are immersed in profound encounters with nature and the landscapes that helped inspire early Celtic Christianity.

Seven celebrities are to make a spiritual pilgrimage through the epic landscapes of north east England, incouding Whitby Abbey, in a new BBC series.

placeholder image — Seven celebrities are to make a spiritual pilgrimage through the epic landscapes of north east England, incouding Whitby Abbey, in a new BBC series.

The release date has not yet been confirmed by the BBC.

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

♦ atheist, TV personality Tasha Ghouri

♦ stand-up comedian and observant Muslim, Hasan Al-Habib

♦ radio presenter, Jayne Middlemiss

♦ comedian, Ashley Blaker

♦ and actor 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 Cathedral.

After 12 demanding days, the group finally reach Pilgrims’ Way, where for more than 1,000 years pilgrims have walked across the dramatic tidal sands to reach Lindisfarne, known as Holy Island.

Revealing their thoughts on why they wanted to take part in this pilgrimage, the celebrities commented:

Patsy Kensit, 57, said: “I’m joining Pilgrimage at a time when I feel the need to slow down and really listen, to myself, to others and to something beyond the noise of everyday life.

"I’ve spent much of my life moving forward but this feels like a rare chance to pause and reflect.”