‘Britain’s Pilgrim Places’: Our Book

Published in 2020, this book captures the spirit of 2,000 years of history, heritage and wonder, through 600 pilgrim places and 100 routes.

Only £18.99

Proceeds from sale of the book directly support the British Pilgrimage Trust, a non-profit UK charity. Thank you.

This book captures the spirit of 2,000 years of history, heritage and wonder.

This book harnesses the current interest in ancient ways of finding meaning and peace in the landscape, and encapsulates the spirit of this popular connection to the past.

Church
British Pilgrimage

Every medieval
cathedral

All 48 major pilgrimage routes and 150+ minor routes

600 enchanting
holy places

Dr Guy Hayward, Director & Co-Founder of British Pilgrimage Trust

Dr. Guy Hayward

Director & Co-Founder of British Pilgrimage Trust

These are the stories of an entire culture of art and inspiration, written and presented in a way that appeals to everyone.

The previous book produced by co-author Nick Mayhew-Smith became a 6-part BBC television series in 2013. Interest continues to grow in pilgrim routes, in ways to make meaningful connection to our natural and built heritage.


This book is a groundbreaking guide to the riches of the land, from wild hermit islands to city-centre cathedrals alike, it captures the timeless quest of the human spirit to connect with the stories of the landscape.

Take a sneak peek at what’s inside

St Cuthbert's Way
St Davids
Map
Example Name
Example Name
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“A beautiful book… it reminded me that a pilgrim is not a special kind of person but all of us are potentially special kinds of pilgrims. I have not seen or read anything like this before.”

Satish Kumar

Editor emeritus of Resurgence & Ecologist, author of No Destination: Autobiography of a Pilgrim and Founder of Schumacher College

“This cheering guide has good news to tell: that these islands teem with holy places to heal a wounded soul through their sheer beauty, echoes of history, silences or glorious sounds. Revel in the riches on offer, creatively laid out here with scholarship and sensitivity.”

Rev Professor Diarmaid N.J. MacCulloch

Editor emeritus of Resurgence & Ecologist, author of No Destination: Autobiography of a Pilgrim and Founder of Schumacher College

“A beautiful book… it reminded me that a pilgrim is not a special kind of person but all of us are potentially special kinds of pilgrims. I have not seen or read anything like this before.”

Satish Kumar

Editor emeritus of Resurgence & Ecologist, author of No Destination: Autobiography of a Pilgrim and Founder of Schumacher College

“This cheering guide has good news to tell: that these islands teem with holy places to heal a wounded soul through their sheer beauty, echoes of history, silences or glorious sounds. Revel in the riches on offer, creatively laid out here with scholarship and sensitivity.”

Diarmaid N.J. MacCulloch

Rev Professor Diarmaid N.J. MacCulloch, Oxford Professor of the History of the Church, author of Christianity: The First Three Thousand Years

A beautiful book… it reminded me that a pilgrim is not a special kind of person but all of us are potentially special kinds of pilgrims. I have not seen or read anything like this before.

Satish Kumar

editor emeritus of Resurgence & Ecologist, author of No Destination: Autobiography of a Pilgrim and Founder of Schumacher College

This cheering guide has good news to tell: that these islands teem with holy places to heal a wounded soul through their sheer beauty, echoes of history, silences or glorious sounds. Revel in the riches on offer, creatively laid out here with scholarship and sensitivity.

Rev Professor Diarmaid N.J. MacCulloch,

Oxford Professor of the History of the Church, author of Christianity: The First Three Thousand Years

Fascinating, uplifting and idiosyncratic – this long-awaited revision of Nick Mayhew-Smith’s earlier work will delight muddy-booted seekers of spiritual solace, and armchair pilgrims alike.

Ifor ap Glyn

Bardd Cenedlaethol Cymru / National Poet of Wales

Beautiful in its entirety. A veritable A to Z of every holy shrine that dots our countryside and cityscapes. If you haven’t yet set foot on a pilgrimage path in the UK you now have no excuse. An extraordinary achievement.

John Brierley

best-selling author of the Camino Guides

Guy Hayward is a wonderful and inspiring guide, on the page and on the path. Buy and read this, walk the paths, and find new hope and purpose in your life.

Emma Bridgewater CBE

President of the Campaign to Protect Rural England

A treasure of a book: erudite, oecumenical, comprehensive and full of surprises.

Ronald Hutton

Professor of History, Bristol University, specialist in the Reformation, Witchcraft, Pagan Britain and the Ritual Year in Britain

If, like me, you love walking with a purpose, grab your boots and this book and you are already half way to heaven… a treasure trove for us all.

Dame Fiona Reynolds

Master of Emmanuel College, Cambridge, former Director-General of the National Trust, author of The Fight for Beauty

A truly wonderful book. Reading it makes me want to go on as many of these pilgrim paths as possible. This book is a treasure trove of personal discoveries waiting to be made.

Rupert Sheldrake

PhD, biologist, author of Science and Spiritual Practices

This fascinating book opens up new vistas for those who want to wander and also to wonder among Britain’s holy places.

Tina Beattie

Professor of Catholic Studies, University of Roehampton

This practical and lovely book is a guide to the wonderful terrain of points of intersection with God – our holy places.

Adrian Dorber

The Very Reverend Adrian Dorber, Dean of Lichfield Cathedral, Chair of the Association of English Cathedrals

Britain’s Pilgrim Places is a classic. For all who walk, for all who journey, this book not only has some wonderful miles in it, but like the pilgrim routes themselves will stand the test of time.

Peter Owen-Jones

Revd Peter Owen-Jones, author of Everest England and Pathlands, and television presenter of BBC’s Extreme Pilgrim series

We are all searchers and this book makes an excellent companion.

Tristan Gooley

author of The Natural Navigator

A fantastic book! A treasure trove for the armchair pilgrim, as well as for those who like to put on their walking boots and go on new adventures.

Philip Carr-Gomm

author of Sacred Places and Druid Mysteries.

What our readers say

Get the book

‘Britain’s Pilgrim Places’: Our Book

Only £18.99

Proceeds from sale of the book directly support the British Pilgrimage Trust, a non-profit UK charity. Thank you.