Pilgrims way - England

[FLEUR]

Very ethereal on Ranmore Common Surrey. A very meaningful communion service at St Barnabas church on the Pilgrims Way this morning.

 

[dick bird]

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Very ethereal on Ranmore Common Surrey. A very meaningful communion service at St Barnabas church on the Pilgrims Way this morning.

I grew up a few miles from there and from where I grew up (Gomshall) to the next village (Shere) there was a footpath called the Pilgrims' Way, presumably the same path. But I have always wondered where the pilgrims were going and where they'd come from. Do you know?

 

[VNwalking]

But I have always wondered where the pilgrims were going and where they'd come from. Do you know?

Canterbury, surely?

 

[SabsP]

Canterbury, surely?

That was my idea also.

Pilgrims' Way to Canterbury - The British Pilgrimage Trust

The Pilgrim Ways to Canterbury – The Pilgrims’ Way from Winchester to Canterbury – 153 miles – 15 days. Perhaps the most well-known of British pilgrimages was famously ‘re-discovered’ by Hillaire Belloc at the turn of the last century who wrote an excellent book The Old Road. Pilgrims first...

britishpilgrimage.org

Wow found this about St Barnabas.Fascinating.

St Barnabas Church, Ranmore Common | Ranmore War Memorial

Built 1859 by Gilbert Scott for George Cubitt (Lord Ashcombe). Simple exterior of Bath stone and flint cobbles, interior lavish with marble and much carving.

ranmorewarmemorial.info

 

[dick bird]

Canterbury, surely?

Not necessarily, and certainly not if they started in London, wrong direction entirely. There were sites of pilgrimage all over England - Walsingham, Glastonbury, and Canterbury were just the most prominent ones. But heading along the line of the North Downs, where to or from? Anyone know or care to hazard a guess?

 

[domigee]

Not necessarily, and certainly not if they started in London, wrong direction entirely. There were sites of pilgrimage all over England - Walsingham, Glastonbury, and Canterbury were just the most prominent ones. But heading along the line of the North Downs, where to or from? Anyone know or care to hazard a guess?

The North Downs Way does go to Canterbury, I walked it to reach Dover.

 

[FLEUR]

Dick Bird you're correct when you say there are pilgrimage routes all over the UK.
The Pilgrims Way from the Cathedral town of Winchester continues to Canterbury and onwards. It passes through Guildford to St Martha's and on to Shere, to Ranmore (nr. Dorking) In parts it merges with the North Downs Way.

 

[dick bird]

Dick Bird you're correct when you say there are pilgrimage routes all over the UK.
The Pilgrims Way from the Cathedral town of Winchester continues to Canterbury and onwards. It passes through Guildford to St Martha's and on to Shere, to Ranmore (nr. Dorking) In parts it merges with the North Downs Way.

Thank you, that answers my second question 'where were they coming from?' Travelling from one shrine to another was a common practice, I believe, so Winchester to Canterbury makes a lot of sense. But it raises an intriguing possibility - an English camino. Winchester to Canterbury would be a fantastic walk.

 

[FLEUR]

Thank you, that answers my second question 'where were they coming from?' Travelling from one shrine to another was a common practice, I believe, so Winchester to Canterbury makes a lot of sense. But it raises an intriguing possibility - an English camino. Winchester to Canterbury would be a fantastic walk.

It is a great route, so far I've only walked short sections, close to home. I believe it's possible to obtain a credential type document .from St Catherine's nr. Winchester . Others will have more information than me.
On her BBC Ramblings programme Clare Balding accompanied a pilgrim on the Surrey section of the walk.

 

[VNwalking]

Winchester to Canterbury would be a fantastic walk.

It is something I was considering for 2020, which of course never happened. But my oh my so many good suggestions from people here. ❤
You inspired me to revisit this thread full of wonderful ideas.

 

[Irishdancer]

London to Walsingham Camino. Just found a new TrailBlazer Guide for this route and ordered it. Yet another camino I did not know about.

 

[henrythedog]

London to Walsingham Camino. Just found a new TrailBlazer Guide for this route and ordered it. Yet another camino I did not know about.

Have a look at ‘The British Pilgrimage Trust’

 

[domigee]

Thank you, that answers my second question 'where were they coming from?' Travelling from one shrine to another was a common practice, I believe, so Winchester to Canterbury makes a lot of sense. But it raises an intriguing possibility - an English camino. Winchester to Canterbury would be a fantastic walk.

North Downs Way Information - National Trails

www.nationaltrail.co.uk

 

[dick bird]

North Downs Way Information - National Trails

www.nationaltrail.co.uk

Interestingly, I grew up on a village just off the North Downs Way - Gomshall. Between there and the next village of Shere was a path known as 'The Pilgrim's Way', except it didn't follow the North Downs Way but ran along the south side of the Tillingbourne valley. I would imagine genuine medieval pilgrims were less attracted by the scenic beauty than we are.

 

[domigee]

Interestingly, I grew up on a village just off the North Downs Way - Gomshall. Between there and the next village of Shere was a path known as 'The Pilgrim's Way', except it didn't follow the North Downs Way but ran along the south side of the Tillingbourne valley. I would imagine genuine medieval pilgrims were less attracted by the scenic beauty than we are.

I bet they went for the shortest way ! Never mind the views
i’ll have a look at the maps (tomorrow cos it’s late)

 

[dick bird]

I bet they went for the shortest way ! Never mind the views
i’ll have a look at the maps (tomorrow cos it’s late)

Forgot to mention - Shere parish church is St. James.

 

[lovingkindness]

....Winchester to Canterbury would be a fantastic walk.

Hi there, @dick bird and others...
I set off in a blizzard one winter's day in 2006 aiming for Canterbury Cathedral. I followed the St Swithun's Way from Winchester to Farnham then the North Downs Way to Canterbury Cathedral finishing a day or two later at the white cliffs of Dover.

What an exhilerating walk it turned out to be. The b&bs along the trail were interesting, too, sometimes centuries old: half-timbered dwellings, a tudor mansion, old beams and diamond-paned windows, a converted barn or two...I was a bit of a magpie back then and couldn't resist stuffing my pack with tourist brochures, postcards and souvenirs. I carried Chaucer's Canterbury tales in my pack but have yet to finish it....



Souvenirs...