Pilgrimage: The Road to the Holy Island – a new OU/BBC series exploring Britain’s spiritual heritage

Posted on 2 April 2026 • Arts and social sciences, TV and radio

A new OU / BBC series, Pilgrimage: The Road to the Holy Island begins Sunday 5 April at 9pm on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer.

Set against the dramatic landscapes of Northumberland and the Scottish Borders, this returning series revisits a pilgrimage route that charts the emergence of early English Christianity. Woven through 1,400 years of cultural and spiritual history, these trails reveal how Celtic monks, Northumbrian rulers and shifting belief systems helped define the religious identity of Britain.

This series follows Ashley Banjo, Hermione Norris, Tasha Ghouri, Hasan Al‑Habib, Jayne Middlemiss, Ashley Blaker and Patsy Kensit as they walk these historic paths. Their route includes Whitby’s cliff‑top Abbey and the UNESCO‑listed Durham Cathedral, foregrounding the enduring legacy of three influential Northern Saints: Hild, Oswald and Cuthbert.

What unfolds is not simply a physical trek, but a reflection on how the spiritual innovations, power struggles and cultural shifts of the 7th century continue to echo in contemporary Britain.

The series was supported by Dr Maria Nita, Lecturer In Religious Studies and Professor John Wolffe, Professor of Religious History who provided the academic expertise for the programme.

When asked why people should watch, Dr Maria Nita points to the enduring relevance of pilgrimage today:

Pilgrimage is often imagined as something ancient or traditional, but the desire to journey, reflect and seek transformation is very much alive today. In many ways, modern cultural gatherings and festivals recreate aspects of the pilgrimage experience, bringing people together in shared journeys of meaning, community and reflection.

Supporting Online content:

Visit our Broadcast & Partnerships site OU Connect where you can discover how pilgrimage has transformed through time and to uncover six remarkable sites that continue to inspire travellers today.  This series was commissioned by Broadcast & Partnerships and is supported by the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, with particular relevance to R45 (Religion, Philosophy and Ethics), R23 BA (Honours) Social Sciences (Religious Studies), R14 BA (Honours) Arts and Humanities.

Commissioned by Dr Caroline Ogilvie, Director, Broadcast & Partnerships

• Academic Consultant: Dr Maria Nita and Professor John Wolffe

• Media Fellow: Dr Emily Bullock

• Broadcast Project Manager: Jo Shipp and Laura Connor

• Supporting Online Content: Patrick Kearney

Image Credit: CTVC