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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?View attachment 115411
Very ethereal on Ranmore Common Surrey. A very meaningful communion service at St Barnabas church on the Pilgrims Way this morning.
Canterbury, surely?But I have always wondered where the pilgrims were going and where they'd come from. Do you know?
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?Canterbury, surely?
The North Downs Way does go to Canterbury, I walked it to reach Dover.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?
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.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.
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.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 something I was considering for 2020, which of course never happened. But my oh my so many good suggestions from people here. ❤Winchester to Canterbury would be a fantastic walk.
Have a look at ‘The British Pilgrimage Trust’London to Walsingham Camino. Just found a new TrailBlazer Guide for this route and ordered it. Yet another camino I did not know about.
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.
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.North Downs Way Information - National Trails
www.nationaltrail.co.uk
I bet they went for the shortest way ! Never mind the viewsInterestingly, 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.
Forgot to mention - Shere parish church is St. James.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)
....Winchester to Canterbury would be a fantastic walk.