The British Pilgrimage Trust

We: – provide free access to a pilgrim route network that currently has over 250 routes across Britain with maps, photos and info;
and a Britain-wide Sanctuary low-cost pilgrim hostel accommodation network of churches, church halls, village halls, farm barns, hostels and bothies;
– provide online guides to introduce concepts, logistics and practices to help you make your own pilgrimage (see ‘How To’ section);
– publish our book Britain’s Pilgrim Places (600 places and 100 routes), and promote other books such as Magical Britain, and individual route guidebooks;
– communicate the way pilgrimage answers modern needs;
– form an online community of pilgrims and BPT Friends, and also work with local communities on the ground.

Pilgrimage is a ‘Bring Your Own Beliefs‘ practice – we exist to ‘advance British pilgrimage as a form of cultural heritage that promotes holistic wellbeing, for the public benefit.’

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The nature of pilgrimage

Pilgrimage (n.): A journey with purpose on foot to holy/wholesome/special places. Pilgrimage is for everyone, promoting holistic wellbeing via pilgrim practices and connecting you with yourself, others, nature and everything beyond. To turn a walk into a pilgrimage, at the beginning set your private ‘intention’ – dedicate your journey to something that you want help with, or for which you want to give thanks.

In Britain, natural landmarks such as wells, springs, trees, caves, islands and hilltops, and pagan sites such as stone circles and barrows, as well as ancient churches and cathedrals reveal a diverse and still unfurling cultural landscape, open to all who wish to connect to these pilgrim places. Public Rights of Way in England and Wales and the Right to Roam Act in Scotland – freedoms particular to Britain – give us a unique opportunity to explore a vast network of green footpaths.

Featured Great Routes

Old Way (Sanctuary)

Featured Routes, SE England & London, 2-3 week, Old Way, Sanctuary

Cornish Celtic Way (Sanctuary)

Featured Routes, SW England, 1-2 week, Sanctuary

Wexford–Pembrokeshire Pilgrim Way

Featured Routes, SW Wales, Ireland, 1-2 week, Sanctuary

Four kinds of pilgrim

1. You might be wanting the next big adventure, are particularly interested in the spiritual and heritage aspects of pilgrimage, and will be familiar with digital or paper map navigation and walking long-distance.

2. Or you might be looking for inner change or mood boost, a way to mark a change in your lives, or a way to ‘get away from it all’. You may be less familiar with walking long-distance, and planning to make pilgrimage as a one-off thing, and have other priorities and pursuits.

3. Or you want something different from the usual insta-travel blogs and standard travel experiences; i.e. a meaningful ‘conscious quest’, perhaps with more social connection, and to align with slow-, eco- and sustainable travel.

4. Or you want to create a route, or promote a route you have created, or offer your community building or church as a Sanctuary venue, or to volunteer for us.