London to Walsingham Camino - The Pilgrimage Guide

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However, many pilgrims diverged from this route to take in Bury St Edmunds, proceeding from there via Thetford. The whole 177.8 mile pilgrimage could be accomplished by a fit walker in a fortnight or less. But maybe you want to walk for fewer miles each day, or just at weekends, or on odd days when you have the time and energy.

The official launch of the London to Walsingham Camino, and the publication of the accompanying guidebook, will take place on Saturday, 3 September 2022. The trail leads from London to pass through Waltham Abbey, Ware, Stansted, Mountfitchet, Saffron Walden, Withersfield, Stansfield, Bury St Edmunds, Thetford, Brandon, Great Cressingham, Castle Acre, Fakenham, and it ends in Walsingham. The first section routes east along the Thames heading north at Limehouse in the Lea Valley to reach Waltham Forest and includes much waterside walking. The London to Walsingham Camino guidebook is part of an attempt to change that: to re-establish a walking route which, while being as true to the original way as possible, takes account of the modern realities on the ground. A pilgrim path that offers a wonderful long-distance route, on footpaths and quiet lanes, across the glorious east of England. A truly pleasurable and uplifting walking experience. Please note: Partly because of restrictions relating to animal infection on a farm, we will currently have to walk along the narrow verge of an A road for two stretches, totalling about 1.5 - 2 miles. It may be that restrictions will lift by April, I am monitoring the situation. This is the only point in the 178-mile journey where this happens. I believe it to be safe, but if you are at all unsure of navigating this, you might like to arrange transport for yourself between Mundford and Hilborough. Max has very kindly arranged with his congregation to move their usual evensong to coincide with our time in the village.

The schedule for the day includes three locations and a walk between them, in part along the ancient pilgrimage route. You will note that I have at least one church on the itinerary each day, where possible for either for an Anglican service, Catholic Mass or a simple blessing. Attendance at these is entirely optional.

The Foundation, at 2 Butcher Row, London E14 8DS, which has been caring for pilgrims and others since 1174, is the London to Walsingham Camino accommodation partner in London.I shall be staying with Jim Sollars, a member of the British Pilgrimage Trust, who lives in the village. He has two or three additional spaces. Please let me know if you’d like to stay with Jim. Identifying the very best walking route at each point, and offering a good alternative route via Bury St Edmunds, will be key to the success of the project. I (Andy) have indicated at each stage where I shall be staying, and given links, where I can, to allow you to do the same, should you wish. You may prefer to book alternative accommodation away from the route and take taxis in and out. That’s entirely up to you. Meeting ties and locations for each day are given below.