Seven well-known personalities of differing faiths and beliefs embark on an epic pilgrimage through the wild and beautiful landscapes of North East England, following in the footsteps of some of the country’s most revered early Christian saints.

Across three episodes, the pilgrims journey along a 390km network of ancient trails celebrating the lives of Saints Hild, Oswald and Cuthbert. Beginning on the coast near the dramatic ruins of Whitby Abbey, their route takes them through North Yorkshire, County Durham and Northumberland, before culminating on the Holy Island of Lindisfarne – one of Britain’s most important pilgrimage destinations.

Taking part are practising Christian and Diversity founder Ashley Banjo; actor Hermione Norris, who believes the divine can be found in all living things; atheist and TV personality Tasha Ghouri; stand-up comedian and observant Muslim Hasan Al-Habib; spiritual radio presenter Jayne Middlemiss; comedian Ashley Blaker, formerly an Orthodox Jew and now agnostic; and actor Patsy Kensit, who describes herself as an “à la carte” Catholic.

Travelling on foot and by bus, the group encounter spectacular coastlines, remote moorlands and the rolling Cheviot Hills, while visiting places that have shaped the spiritual history of the region. Along the way they experience Whitby Abbey, Durham Cathedral and the shrine of St Cuthbert, Hadrian’s Wall, a Newcastle synagogue, a modern Christian retreat community and a medieval hermitage at Warkworth.

Stripped of their usual comforts and carrying their own backpacks, the pilgrims face challenging terrain and unpredictable weather as they explore their different approaches to faith, spirituality and the bigger questions in life. Their shared journey brings moments of humour, camaraderie and reflection as they learn more about one another – and themselves.

After 12 demanding days, they reach the final stretch of their pilgrimage: the ancient Pilgrims’ Way to Lindisfarne. Following a route walked for more than a thousand years, they cross the tidal sands on foot to reach Holy Island and the end of an extraordinary physical and spiritual journey.

Pilgrimage: The Road to Holy Island is a 3 x 60-minute CTVC production for BBC Two and BBC iPlayer.