London Martyr's Way

The London Martyr’s Way – Tower Hill Scaffold to Tyburn Tree – 2 parts, 1 day each part, 3 & 5 miles. ‍

This might also be called the Way of Tolerance and Strength. It is a glad commemoration of men and women who, on these familiar streets, were ready to pay the ultimate price for their beliefs: Catholics persecuted by Protestants, Protestants by Catholics, believers by non-believers, kings by invaders, and people who sacrificed their lives for others.

One can only be moved by their soul-searching, their confidence and the blind inhumanity of their persecutors, which you will remember by visiting London monuments that have been raised to celebrate their courage. We walk in honour of those historic martyrs whose ends may have led to an abhorrence of persecution, and tolerance towards the expression of opposing and seemingly offensive views.

Much of the route follows the actual journey taken by the condemned on their way from the Tower to various places of execution, at Smithfield and, most famously, the Tyburn Tree. You will take in places of martyrdom, churches constructed around the memory of martyrs, sculptures dedicated to self-sacrifice, the route of the Tyburn river, sites of pilgrimage and prayer. You can finish with Vespers at Tyburn Convent- a magical place of perpetual prayer.

Watch Part II video here. London Real’s 3-min video of a BPT London pilgrimage here. Listen to a podcast with Rupert Sheldrake and Mark Vernon discussing the experience of a BPT guided London pilgrimage here. Porter.com article here.

Buy book: Pilgrim’s Guide to Sacred London