Spiritual Journeys

'Mission is to make routes available to walkers that were taken by monks in the 12th to 14th centuries either between Abbeys in the United Kingdom or from their own Abbey to their General Chapter meeting in France.'

'Here we have collected ideas, support, advice and examples of best practice for churches seeking to be more open and welcoming to visitors, and to interpret and promote their building and social heritage or mission. They are examples of best practice, because they have been practised.'

'Brings together the travels of Scotland's Celtic Saints and Medieval traditions of pilgrimage with modern faith journeys. In time a network of Pilgrim Journeys will crisscross the whole of Scotland, encompassing many local routes and sites.'

'A Walking Day is a type of church parade. Walking days are most common in the North West region of England, where they are an annual event for many towns and villages. In some rural communities in the North West they are known as Field Days, Gala Days or Club Days ... Non-church processions are often led by a young lady, who has been crowned the "Rose Queen" for the year. The Queen may be particular to a church but can represent the whole village too. Indeed, some Rose Queens and May Queens have festivals of their own ... '

'Pilgrimages, pilgrim routes and routes of religious historical interest in the UK. Some of these routes are pilgrimages over 1000 years old whilst others are new routes visiting places of historically religious interests.'

'The beautiful Yorkshire countryside, with its gently sloping hills, valleys and amazing scenic views, is home to some of England's greatest abbeys. The Abbey Trail links seven of these historic buildings at Kirkstall, Fountains, Byland, Rievaulx, Lastingham, Rosedale and Whitby into a great long distance path with an ecclesiastical and historical theme.'

'Links up three famous Yorkshire Abbeys (Fountains Abbey, Jervaulx Abbey and Bolton Priory) as well as visiting three Yorkshire castles (Ripley, Bolton and Middleham).' Book obtainable from Dales Court Press

'There are many ways to discover Suffolk's medieval churches but by bike or on foot you can savour the delights of the countryside at close quarters. There is a real sense of achievement to be had from walking or cycling between churches, quite apart from the gorgeous views on the way ... '

'Bede's Way has been devised to link the twin Anglo-Saxon monastery of St Peter's in Wearmouth and St Paul's in Jarrow. Today the route follows a safe and enjoyable path through the Great North Forest, covering twelve miles of rich landscape, delightful seascape, rolling hills and meandering streams.'

'A mile long walk along Leeds road in Bradford City Centre exploring the places of worship of different faiths.' Note that the Project Treasures Revealed has now ceased: further information should be available from Visit Bradford.

'The series of Church2Church Walks in Warwickshire offer the walker something uniquely different. Because the distances between churches are generally very manageable to walk, it is about taking your time to go from Church2Church, to enjoy and appreciate the countryside around and when finally, you arrive at the next church, to allow yourself time to have a look around and to enjoy and appreciate the stillness and peace that can be found in and around churches and churchyards.'

'This web site is very much "work in progress" - as is the whole Cistercian Way Project. We started in 1998 trying to work out a way that we could walk round Wales, linking all the Welsh Cistercian abbeys, medieval and modern. This was part of the celebrations of the 900th anniversary of the foundation of the Cistercian order ...'

'To be honest, something about the names Crich and Heage doesn't seem too promising. To a walker it's names like Bowfell and Crinkle Crags that grab the attention and whet the appetite. Crich and Heage are two Derbyshire villages, but they are set in lovely countryside in the transition zone between the lowlands of the Midlands and the higher ground of the Peak District. Crich is famous as the rather unlikely location of the major Tramway Museum for the country ...'

'Trace the story of faith in Lancaster from Roman times to the present day through its rich heritage of faith sites and buildings.' ALERT Website Link changed from the original.

'A walk into the past, around the precinct of Eynsham Abbey. It was created in 2002 to mark the bounds of the former precinct, with carved stone from the abbey built into the engraved 'stations'.The Slideshow includes installation of a new Archaeological Trail ... '

'These self-guided trails combine the wonderful landscapes and scenery of the valley with the discovery of some of the county’s most important churches. They exhibit a wide range of architectural styles: Saxon at Headbourne Worthy; Norman at Bishop’s Sutton, Easton and St Cross; Georgian at Avington; late Victorian at Itchen Stoke.'

'The Walk takes in the villages of Addington, Adstock, Padbury, Hillesden, Middle Claydon, Botolph Claydon, Quainton, North Marston and East Claydon to reach Addington again and retrace to the finish. The route's highest point at over 500ft is near Woad and Quainton Hills.'

'Leicester has a history that is rich and diverse, but how do we begin to understand it? Our historic Churches can help us. They are important centres of interest, shedding a fascinating light on particular developments and events over the centuries. These Churches are here for you to visit them. Come as pilgrims, or come with an interest in religion, architecture, art or history.'

'The Low Furness Peninsula, a recognised Hidden Britain Centre, has shaped and been shaped by humankind for at least 3,000 years and the emerging history and archaeology add further mystery to the particular influences left by Druidic, Roman, Celtic, Viking, Puritan and Victorian faith builders and settlers in their time in this place. Few places in Britain can boast as much rural variety as this; miles of wild and diverse coastline to explore from the endless sands of Bardsea beach to the raw and atmospheric reaches of Roe Island and Piel Island. Inland, rich farmland, small hamlets and woods rise to reach the limestone pavements and heights of Birkrigg Common with its panoramic views of Morecambe Bay and of the nearby Lakeland fells.'

'This route passes through diverse landscapes connecting significant Christian and pre-Christian sites, creating a spiritual and cultural journey which offers opportunity for reflection and inspiration.'

'A walk along the Meon Valley discovering the churches founded in the 7th century by Saint Wilfrid.'

'Walkers' route through East Yorkshire, between the magnificent Minsters of Beverley and York, visiting Arram, Scorborough, North Dalton, Lockington, Millington, Great Givendale, Bishop Wilton, Full Sutton, Stamford Bridge, Kexby and Fulford ... It was established in 1980 by Ray Wallis of the East Yorkshire Area of The Ramblers.'

'There are traditionally 5 main walks or Legs as we call them which are named after their associations with locations. Carlisle, Melrose and Lanark start in those towns. Haddington used to start in that town until it started in Edinburgh. Northumbrian was originally Newcastle, then Hexham, then settled on Northumbrian as it has always been a walk almost entirely in the county of Northumberland.' Held around the time of Easter. 

'This is an amazing new pilgrim and heritage way created for the 21st century, which starts in the market town of Todmorden in West Yorkshire and retraces the steps of St Paulinus until it reaches the historic city of York.'

'This invitation to come on pilgrimage to Eyam comes from the church and people of Eyam because we would like to share our story and our village with you. That is why we have developed the Peak Pilgrimage – to help you have a wonderful experience of the Peak District National Park, then of Eyam, and also of God along the way ...'

'Long distance footpath linking St Winefride's Well at Holywell with Bardsey Island.'

'Follow a medieval route from the shrine of St Swithun at Winchester Cathedral, weaving across the landscape by way of Bishop's Waltham and Southwick to Portsmouth in the footsteps of the Miquelots, pilgrims who made the long journey to worship St Michael in Normandy.'

'Follow in the footsteps of a medieval priest as you walk along the ancient track known as the Priest's Way. It passes between quarries and across open fields with spectacular views along the way. The walk finishes near one of Dorset's most famous pubs, the Square & Compass. ALERT The Link has been changed from that originally used.

'Long Distance Footpath that joins Harby in Nottingham with Westminster Abbey.' ALERT At Review, the original Website seemed no longer to be available, so I have Linked instead to a historical description on the LDWA Site.

'Signed walking trail connects key sites relating to Saint Patrick and Christian Heritage. It takes you through some of Northern Ireland’s most spectacular scenic landscapes before ending at Saint Patrick’s final resting place, in the grounds of Down Cathedral in Downpatrick. It incorporpares exisiting walking routes including the Newry Canal Way and Mourne Way.'

'To mark the Centenary of Rotary International in 2005, the two Rotary Clubs of Ripon, The Rotary Club of Ripon and The Rotary Club of Ripon Rowels, have produced The Ripon Sanctuary Markers, Sanctuary Way Walk that takes you along the ancient boundary of the Sanctuary Markers.'

'From Lincoln Cathedral to St Denys' Church, Sleaford. Brings together the rich history, heritage and local stories of the area. It has many beautiful artworks, churches, interesting landscapes and picturesque skies.'

'A 36 mile (58 km) walk through delightful, rural West Cumbria and the magnificent scenery of the English Lake District ... If you can't spare the time for two weeks on Alfred Wainwright's Coast to Coast, or three weeks for the Pennine Way, then this three-day walk is for you.'

St Bega's Way: A Short Long-Distance Walk by Ros Downing (2008). Pilgrimage notes to take along on the walk are available from St Bees Priory.

'The St Birinus Pilgrimage takes place every year on the first Sunday in July. Hundreds of people from various Christian traditions assemble at Churn Knob, a hill 7 miles south-west of Dorchester where Birinus is said to have preached. From there the pilgrims walk cross-country to Dorchester Abbey for a packed and joyful united service in which local leaders of the Anglican, Catholic and Nonconformist churches take an active part.'

'Bridging the national border between Scotland and England, this inspiring 100km (62.5 miles) cross-border route links Melrose in the Scottish Borders, where St. Cuthbert started his religious life in 650AD, with Holy Island off the Northumberland Coast, his eventual resting place and his original pilgrimage shrine.'

'The route from Aberdeen to St Andrews forms the second part of an expanded route which starts at Tain (Gaelic: Baile Dubhthaich, "Duthac's town"), the shrine of St Duthac there being another former pilgrimage destination of some importance, hence St Duthac's Way.'

'This is the original route through Glen Affric which fell into disuse when the present public road on the north side of the River Affric through Chisholm's Pass was made in the 19th century. It is shown on Roy's map of 1755 as Road from Kintail to Inverness ...

'The original route on the south side of Loch Beinn a' Mheadhoin is now very difficult to pass due to forestry. Some intrepid surveyors have managed to hack their way through and poles were placed along the route some years ago, but these are unlikely to be easy to find.  However it is a great shame that the whole of this path is ignored for the difficulty in passing a relatively short stretch.  The views are apparently far better than those of the shoreside path.'

'Pilgrimage route from Hinderwell in Yorkshire to Whitby Abbey. It visits eight Churches and Chapels all dedicated to St Hilda, as well as two other churches named after St Hedda and St Mary. Hilda was Abbess of Hartlepool and founder of Whitby Abbey, raised in King Edwin of Northumbria’s Court.'

'Gives a detailed guide to a newly developed long distance walk across Worcestershire and Gloucestershire, linking the two places most connected with the life of the ninth century Mercian Saint ... The trail is documented in a 60 page pocket-sized guide which gives clear directions, notes about historic sites on the route, an account of the legend of St Kenelm and tourist information ... St Kenelm's Way is a walk with the same starting and finishing points, but using a different route.'

'Throughout Europe there is a network of pilgrim routes which lead to one of the three most important places of Christian pilgrimage in the world - the Cathedral of St James in Santiago de Compostela, North West Spain. The St Michael's Way Trail is one of these routes ... The trail stretches from Lelant (near St. Ives) to Marazion (near Penzance) and stretches 12.5 miles/19.5 km.'

'Long-distance walking route, exploring some of the finest landscapes and fascinating history of Northumberland ... Short Walks Around St. Oswald's Way.'

'Runs between Winchester, the capital of Saxon England, and historic Farnham. Whilst not tracing the original route of the Pilgrim’s Way, as much of this is now the busy A31, St Swithun’s Way follows some of the county’s best countryside paths.'

'Brand new pilgrim route running through the heart of the Diocese of Oxford, which covers the three counties of Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Buckinghamshire.'

'Travel in the footsteps of St Augustine and discover the birth of Christianity in England in the beautiful Stour Valley from Ramsgate to Canterbury.'

'Pilgrimage route which has been recreated between the cathedral cities of Chester and Lichfield.'

'Walking Day is held in high esteem by Warrington people ... Initially, it is understood that mainly members of the Church of England took part, but in 1857 the first record of Roman Catholic scholars joining in with the celebrations of Walking Day was reported in the Warrington Guardian. However, until 1908 the different religious denominations followed a separate route from the Church of England procession. Although in 1909 the same route was used by all denominations, the non-conformists and Roman Catholics did not assemble in Bank Park, nor take part in a march past the Town Hall. Eventually, in 1920 all participants in the procession came together to proclaim a joint acknowledgement of Christianity.' Held Early July.