Wolf and Water Day pilgrimage to St Edmundsbury

Let your intentions flow with the waters of the River Lark as we meander to the royal and sacred heart of Bury St Edmunds

This route honours St Edmund, England’s original patron saint. Edmund's legend involves Danes, beheading and even a speaking wolf, prompting us to consider what we can personally draw from the symbolism and folklore of this once native animal. Edmund's relics were translated from his unknown site of martyrdom to Bury in the early 900s. King Canute built a stone shrine in 1020, and by 1095, the silver and gold pilgrimage shrine at Bury Abbey was one of the most famous, wealthy and miracle-working in all England. The route does its best to introduce you to the non-hilly but characterful land that Edmund would have known, by using the winding River Lark Valley path and historic roads to the ancient heart of the town.

"I loved the whole way the pilgrimage was held by Dawn. The start with the candle, intention and beautiful singing by Dawn gave such a meaningful start. I was truly impressed with how the details were covered. Dawn’s approach, gently communicated care and meaning for the individuals gathered on the pilgrimage. It really made it feel spiritually significant. Excellent."
- Ali, pilgrim

We begin in the peaceful village of West Stow, before heading to the water and a rare historic iron bridge. Crossing through woodland and fields we soon join the meandering River Lark, once navigated by the Romans and later used to carry the stone to the Abbey at our journey's end. Letting our intentions flow with the water, we make our way through Culford and Fornham before following the historic Northgate road into the ancient heart of the town. From here, we explore the great abbey gardens and ruins with the teardrop memorial, former shrine of St Edmund and the site of the oath that lead to Magna Carta. From there we finish at the cathedral, where pilgrims may choose to stay on for an optional Evensong.

This pilgrimage will include:

- New ways of meeting holy places (bring your own beliefs!)

- Pilgrim songs, stories and folklore on the path

- Opportunities for silence or barefoot walking

- Wildwater drinking or wildflower foraging

- Rediscovering your place in the British pilgrimage tradition

- Natural beauty and wild places

Timings: We begin promptly at 10.30am at St Mary's West Stow. Pilgrims requiring lift shares should meet outside Bury St Edmunds station at 10am. Timings during the day will vary depending on the pace of the group. We'll aim to finish at the Cathedral in time for Evensong or earlier.

What to Bring: Sensible footwear and waterproofs, packed lunch, waterbottle or thermos. Something dry to sit on for rest breaks (a carrier bag is fine) and anything you may need for a wild wee

Travel Arrangements: This is a linear route beginning in West Stow and finishing at Bury St Edmunds. The nearest train station is Bury St Edmunds. There is no public transport to West Stow. We will coordinate lift/taxi shares between pilgrims in advance.

Safety: Please be aware that there are some short connecting sections which will require walking on a country lane.

Toilets: There are toilets at the half way point and end of this journey

FAQs

Who can come? Anyone over 18 (or under 18 with parental guidance, bearing in mind the walking distance). 

Is this religious?  This is a faith-neutral pilgrimage including a variety of traditions and practices. We operate a “Bring Your Own Beliefs” policy, where pilgrims can choose when to engage and participate. We ask that all pilgrims respect one another, whatever their beliefs.

Will I be asked to share my feelings with the group? We like to keep things light and breezy, so there will be no group emotional sharing moments, even though people may be coming for emotional reasons. If you want to share your feelings in personal conversation when walking with others that is up to you, but certainly not compulsory. 

Are there fitness or access limitations? This route involves narrow paths in places and conditions may be muddy underfoot. Pilgrimage is moderately intense; if you find walking all day a challenge, this type of pilgrimage may be an unsuitable activity for you right now. Unfortunately this pilgrimage is not suited for mobility-impaired people or those requiring wheeled access due to the terrain. If you have other access needs please get in touch to discuss how we can best include your individual requirements. 

Can I bring my dog? Sadly not - we can’t accommodate dogs on our guided pilgrimages. However, if you have a registered assistance dog, they are welcome.

Do you offer concessions? We offer some free or discounted places to pilgrims on certain types of income-related Universal Credit, PIP, DLA ESA , JSA etc. Contact us to find out if you qualify.

What does the price cover? This pilgrimage is a fundraiser for registered charity British Pilgrimage Trust. 20% of the ticket fee is VAT. 10% of funds raised are donated to the places we visit along the route. Around 50% of your ticket covers the costs of providing the journey, including research and route surveys. Any remaining funds support our charitable work including thousands for free resources to enable people to make their own journeys. For more details about our charitable activities, please check here.

What is your refund policy? See our full policy on cancellations, postponements and ticket transfers here:

If you would like to make a donation to support a place for someone on low income, please click here.