Day 2: Middlesbrough to Kirklevington

Our first walking day starts with just a half-hour walk from Marton Methodist Church to the Roman Catholic Cathedral for 10.00 a.m. Mass. After Mass, we walk along pavements (mostly by a main ring road as the roads through the nearby housing estate are unsuitable). Lunch will be in Stainton village at the Stainton Inn. Sandwiches can be eaten in the churchyard nearby, where we have a prayer stop after lunch. After prayers we walk through the village to Thornton where we leave the road to walk through fields. Then, after 800 mtrs of road walking, we start what will mainly be a route along paths and tracks passing through the villages of Hilton (where we have a prayer stop) and then Middleton-on-Leven. After Middleton the path is through woods, above the River Leven and, in some places, can be narrow, steep in descent, uneven and muddy. A walking pole may be useful! After this we have a longish but relatively quiet road to the outskirts of Kirklevington, where a bridleway and village road take us to our overnight stop.

Pilgrimage Newsfeed - Day 2

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Sunday, 16 August 2026, 8 o'clock Our first service of our pilgimage didn't happen. I was disappointed, because Marton's most famous son, Captain James Cook, was baptised in Saint Cuthbert's church (3rd November 1728). In the other hand I was Happy because I experienced my First Rain in 2 months. More rainy days can follow. Bert

Heading back after our aborted visit to St Cuthbert's Aidan Simons

Front marker Danny puts up the first arrow of the pilgrimage John Chenery

Marton Methodist Church, our first overnight hall John Chenery

The front markers set off John Chenery

The First Arrow of Thousands at the start of our Pilgrimage Julian Glover

Walking in the rain, and happy! Aidan Simons

At least the underpass is dry! Aidan Simons

The front markers weren't deterred by a mere footpath closure! Aidan Simons

Sunday, 16 August 2026, 9:55 am Saint Mary's Cathedr=?UTF-8?Q?al=2C_Middlesbrough=C2=A0_Before_the_beginning_of_the_holy_mess=2C_w?= e show solidarity with Ukraine. Bert

The cathedral is impressive Aidan Simons

The Cathedral Church of St Mary where we attended the Mass of the Assimption John Chenery

Post-mass refreshments at Middlesbrough cathedral Aidan Simons

Day 1 - Station 1 - Middlesbrough Cathedral Claire Glover