York Pilgrimage

Join the British Pilgrimage Trust's Director and Co-Founder Dr Guy Hayward on a 1-day, 6-mile pilgrimage around the city of York exploring some of its most well known, and most secret places of pilgrimage.

York was founded in 71AD when Cerialis and the Roman Ninth Legion constructed a military fortress between the Rivers Ouse and Foss; they named the place Eboracum meaning Yew, a sacred Celtic tree. Viking influences can still be detected with Guthrum, a Viking leader, and Guthrumgate, which derives from the Old Norse ‘gata’ meaning road or way. So in York today the gates are streets/ways, and the Bars are the Gates into the Old City.

Through York’s various ages, there have been many diverse religious beliefs of its inhabitants. You will become at one with them as you walk in their footsteps through their streets. From a pagan belief in deities to the Anglo Saxon conversion to Christianity that had an enormous social and cultural impact, Catholic nuns hiding at Bar Convent and Jewish struggles at Clifford's Tower and later Reformation tragedy, as evoked by Margaret Clitherow's Shrine. Beautiful stained glass at All Saints North Street and the National Early Music Centre at ancient Walmgate. And of course, the magnificent York Minster is beyond imagining, including its pilgrim shrine to St William, resonant Chapter House and breathtaking stained glass. Then the gardens in which the ruins of St Mary’s Abbey and St Olave's finish the day. On this journey something of all these historical ages of life in the City will be covered, their beliefs, sufferings and joys. And traditional folk and sacred songs will be sung to bring this history alive.

Qualities of the Day: Telling many folkloric and historic tales - New ways of meeting holy places - Pilgrim songs on the path - Opportunities for silence - Rediscovering your place in the British pilgrimage tradition - Architecturalbeauty - Shrine holiness.

This is a 'Bring Your Own Beliefs' pilgrimage.

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What to bring  
Packed lunch; appropriate clothes and shoes; Umbrella; Waterbottle.

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Travel
We will start at 10.30am at York Train Station, and we end back there at 4pm, or for those of you who want to go to evensong in the Minster, that is at 5.30pm.

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FAQ’s

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

Is this religious? All and no-faiths are equally welcome. We operate a “Bring Your Own Beliefs” policy. We ask that all participating pilgrims tolerate one another, whatever their beliefs.

Can I come if I can't afford it? We offer a number of free or subsidised places to those in need, on a case-by-case basis, please contact info@britishpilgrimage.org.

If I'm a school teacher, can I come for free? Yes, we offer free places to teachers, particularly if they are interested in introducing pilgrimage to their students.

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. 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 limitations? Pilgrimage is moderately intense. If you struggle to walk all day, this type of pilgrimage may be an unsuitable activity for you right now. There are always plenty of escape points en route. But we will walk slowly, and start early, and 6 miles is a manageable distance for the majority of people, although it is not nothing. Unfortunately this pilgrimage is not suited for mobility-impaired people or those requiring wheelchair access.

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.

What does my money go towards? The British Pilgrimage Trust is a charity, and profits raised from this limited space event will enable our team to make it possible for everyone, of all means, to make pilgrimage themselves. We will also distribute some of the ticket price to local organisations from whom we have benefitted along the path. For more details about our charitable activities, please check here.

We hope to see you on the path.
If you would like to make a donation in addition to, or in place of, a ticket, click here.
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