The Way of Our Lady of Mount Grace
A Pilgrim Way for the Diocese of Middlesbrough from the Cathedral of St Mary in Middlesbrough to the Lady Chapel at Osmotherley
The Lady Chapel, Osmotherley
About the route
The Way starts through south Middlesbrough, then crosses farmland to reach Roseberry Topping. The way then follows the Cleveland Way along the northern edge of the Cleveland Hills to Captain Cook's Monument. The Way descends to Kildale and passes through Battersby, Ingleby Greenhow, Great Broughton and Kirkby where food, accommodation and transport links can be found. The Way returns to the Cleveland Way in a westerly direction to Lordstones and finally reaches the Shrine of Our Lady of Mount Grace at Osmotherley.
The Lady Chapel seems to have been built at the same time as Mount Grace Priory and may have been an associated hermitage until the Reformation. It fell to ruin but remained a place of pilgrimage and prayer. In 1614, on the eve of Little Lady Day, September 7th, sixteen people were arrested and later confessed to having prayed at the chapel. The Chapel was restored in the mid-20th Century and now it is open 24 hours a day, and Mass is celebrated every week.
Pilgrims may also want to visit the Church of Our Lady of Mount Grace, in the Old Hall, North End, Osmotherley. A Mass centre was associated with the Old Hall from very early in the Recusant period. Today’s chapel in the top storey of the Old Hall is the latest witness to unbroken faith.
You can find out more about the Way and download the GPX file by clicking on the LEARN MORE tab in the
interactive map below
Guidance
Using the tabs in this section you can find the information you need for your pilgrimage.
The Outer Way provides practical advice about the route.
The Inner Way describes the spiritual highlights.
Using the button below you can download details of the inner and outer ways and the walking guidance.
Using the button below you can download details of the inner and outer ways and the walking guidance and maps.
Stages: route, food & drink, accommodation and public transport
1. Middlesbrough Cathedral to Newton under Roseberry: 5.4 miles
Middlesbrough Cathedral can be reached by buses from the centre of town. The route follows paths beside a main road and then Marton brook to reach paths across open farmland to Newton under Roseberry. The Kings Head pub provides food and accommodation. There are buses from Guisborough Road in Great Ayton, (1.3mi) to Middlesbrough.
2. Newton under Roseberry to Kildale: 5 miles
The stage starts with a stiff ascent to Roseberry Topping, then along the Cleveland Way to Captain Cook’s Monument and down into Kildale where there are infrequent trains back to Middlesbrough and a camping barn.
3. Kildale to Great Broughton: 5.6 miles
From Kildale the Way goes on through the hamlets and villages of Battersby, Ingleby Greenhow, Great Broughton and Kirkby. There are buses from Great Broughton to Stokesley, you could arrange collection by taxi from any point or walk to Battersby Junction station where there are infrequent trains back to Middlesbrough. There is a pub at Ingleby Greenhow, two at Great Broughton and one at Kirkby. There is a camping field and a camping barn at Park Farm, a campsite at Great Broughton and there may be Airbnb accommodation available nearby.
4. Great Broughton to Lordstones: 3.2 miles
From Pilgrim Way turns south to re-join and follow the Cleveland Way. The path is clear and there is easy, exhilarating walking. There is a café and campsite at Lordstones, and a taxi pick up could be arranged from Country Park carpark.
5. Lordstones to the Lady Chapel: 7.1 miles
The route continues along the Cleveland Way, at first over open hills, but then through woodland. Finally there is a waymarked diversion to the Lady Chapel in a beautiful woodland clearing.
The charming village Osmotherley is a little further, with hostel accommodation, three pubs, fish and chips, and buses towards Middlesbrough. There is a Catholic chapel in the Old Hall, and the ruins of Mount Grace Priory are nearby.
Public transport links
Please check timetables before setting off.
Trains:
https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/
Buses:
https://www.northyorks.gov.uk/bus-timetables
https://connectteesvalley.com/Bus/busmaps.asp
Pilgrim people and places
The Cathedral of St Mary at Coulby Newham is the mother church of the Diocese of Middlesbrough and the seat of the bishop. It is a low, brick building, constructed in 1987 and surrounded by out-of-town shops and busy roads. Inside the space is warm and welcoming and focussed on the high altar.
The Lady Chapel, Shrine of Our Lady of Mount Grace
Your pilgrimage ends at the beautiful Lady Chapel, where people have prayed for hundreds of years. It seems to have been built at the same time as Mount Grace Priory and may have been an associated hermitage until the Reformation. It fell to ruin but remained a place of pilgrimage and prayer. In 1614, on the eve of Little Lady Day, September 7th, sixteen people were arrested and later confessed to having prayed at the chapel. The Chapel was restored in the mid-20th Century and now it is open 24 hours a day, and Mass is celebrated every week. In the tranquillity of the Chapel reflect on your journey and what is has meant to you.
Church of Our Lady of Mount Grace
Pilgrims may want to visit this Catholic church in the Old Hall, North End, Osmotherley. A Mass centre was associated with the Old Hall from very early in the Recusant period. Today’s chapel in the top storey of the Old Hall is the latest witness to unbroken faith.
The ruins of the Priory are nearby in the care of English Heritage, an opportunity to learn about the Carthusian way of life and to ask what their spirituality offers us today.
Prayer at the end of a Pilgrimage
Lord Jesus Christ,
As this pilgrimage comes to an end,
I give thanks for the journey and for my safe arrival.
Help me to walk in newness of life.
By your Spirit, transform me into your likeness.
Give me your… [here mention in your own words any attributes of Jesus you want to grow in, such as patience, humility, compassion, etc.]
Jesus, fill me with your life and love.
I ask this in your Holy Name.
Amen.
ABOUT THE DIOCESE OF MIDDLESBROUGH
The Catholic Diocese of Middlesbrough is part of the ecclesiastical province of Liverpool. It was created on 20 December 1878, when the then Diocese of Beverley, which covered the whole of Yorkshire, was divided into the Diocese of Middlesbrough, covering the North and East Ridings of Yorkshire and those parishes in the City of York to the north of the River Ouse, and the Diocese of Leeds, covering the West Riding of Yorkshire and those parishes in the City of York to the south of the River Ouse. In 1982 the two York parishes south of the River Ouse were ceded to the Diocese of Middlesbrough to unite the City of York under one bishop.
Copyright Hearts in Search of God - Pilgrim Way Project (England and Wales)
Web Design by Catholic Marketing Agency: Every Day Christian Marketing