WELCOME TO THE
ATHELSTAN PILGRIM WAY
RURAL BEAUTY and LIVING FAITH
The Athelstan Pilgrim Way is a new 100-mile walking and cycling route, linking all 36 historic churches in North Wiltshire Deanery. The route has been developed by the North Wiltshire Mission Area, a Church of England initiative in the Diocese of Bristol. The route takes in some of the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and the historic churches range from Bremilham, the smallest church in England, to Malmesbury Abbey, a popular visitor attraction.
The route takes its name from the first King of a united England, Athelstan, a Christian ruler who chose Malmesbury as his capital and was buried in Malmesbury Abbey after his death in 939AD. The church communities in the area continue a long tradition of Christian worship, celebrating their heritage and rural roots. As Revd Oliver Ross, the lead incumbent at Malmesbury Abbey, observes: ‘For some people, our buildings are the Good News’.
5th April 2025
WOODBRIDGE AND DRAYCOT ROUTES LAUNCH:
11.00am Celtic Pilgrimage
From Malmesbury Abbey
to St Peter & St Paul, Great Somerford
Led by Bishop Neil, in partnership with the Rhythm of Life initiative from the Diocese of Bristol. Free sign-up. More information to follow soon.
2.30PM St Peter & St Paul Church,
GREAT SOMERFORD (SN15 5HZ)
A talk by Martin Palmer
WALKING GENTLY: FROM SACRED LAND TO STORIED CHURCHES
Martin Palmer is a writer, environmentalist and broadcaster. His work at the intersection of religious faiths and conservation has been internationally established through Faithinvest, and previously as Secretary General of the Alliance of Religions and Conservation (ARC, founded with HRH Prince Philip in 1995), and the Sacred Land Project in partnership with the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF, where he is currently Chair of the Beliefs and Values Programme). Martin is a lay preacher in the Church of England, a Visiting Professor at the University of Winchester and a regular broadcaster for the BBC – including In Our Time, Beyond Belief and as a columnist for BBC Scotland. He is the author of ‘Sacred Land: Decoding Britain’s extraordinary past through its towns, villages and countryside’ (2012).
AN Introduction to Sheona Beaumont
Sheona Beaumont started as Artist in Residence for the Athelstan Pilgrim Way in March 2025. She will give a short introduction to her creative practice accompanied by a display of preliminary photographic work.
See more about the Residency position here.
WITH THE MALMESBURY CHOIR
Malmesbury Choir was established in 2014 and has entertained audiences mainly in the Abbey or Town Hall ever since. The choir is led by musical director Laurie Jones, accompanied by Andy Allpass on keyboard.
Free parking at the church (SN15 5HZ), refreshments from 1.30pm
THE WALK CONTINUES…
4PM to St James the Great, Dauntsey
With a short talk by Carole Britton, author of Past Present Presence: The Companion Guide to the Athelstan Pilgrim Way.
The 1.5-mile guided walk from Great Somerford will be along pavements and country roads, taking approximately 45 minutes. Following the visit to the church and Carole’s talk, walkers will then be invited to make their own way back to Great Somerford, with limited transport available for those unable to complete the return walk. Alternatively, walkers on the Celtic Pilgrimage with Bishop Neil will continue to St Michael & All Angels, Brinkworth.
PLUS 6th April:
2PM Circular pilgrimage Walk
FROM ALL SAINTS, SUTTON BENGER (SN15 4RP),
CALLING IN AT ALL SAINTS, CHRISTIAN MALFORD
The 4-mile guided walk will be in two sections of approximately 1hr to Christian Malford and 45mins return to Sutton Benger. The route is along pavements and country roads. Following the walk there will be an optional pilgrimage service at approximately 4.30pm at All Saints, Sutton Benger.
It will be no secret to anyone who has listened to my podcast, ‘The Rest Is History’, that I championed Athelstan as the greatest of England’s monarchs: a man who forged it as a united kingdom, mighty in battle, a scholar, a legislator, a man convinced that he had been divinely appointed to serve his people. As the Patron for the Athelstan Pilgrim Way, I’m also delighted to champion a walking route across his kingdom of Wessex that seeks to remind us of his Christian sensibility and the religious culture of his time.
Is it possible that we are often seduced by a heritage culture of celebrating our churches simply as interesting buildings? Perhaps we need to recognise a profound theme that percolated through the time of Athelstan and the places significant to him: that of pilgrimage. Pilgrimage, and with it an embodied prayer life – both of which we know Athelstan pursued – were an expression of that profoundly felt need for spiritual succour and direction. We’ve lost something of the language for it today, but I’m excited as Patron to support this modern day endeavour to rediscover the significance, resonance and timbre of pilgrimage. Across Wiltshire field and Fosse, may following in his footsteps become pilgrimage indeed.
Pick up your free Pilgrim Passport
And collect stamps as you go!
The Pilgrim Passport can be stamped at each church as the routes are launched (2024-2025). In 2024, the opening routes were the Malmesbury & Upper Avon section, and the Gauzebrook section to the west. There will be 6 circular routes overall, with linking sections between them.
Walks can be started at any point along the routes and their stages can be tackled in any combination. Our printed and downloadable guides include detailed itineraries, with timings, OS Grid references, section maps, and advice for level of fitness, parking and refreshments. All routes are on public rights of way or minor roads, and all churches are open during the day (unless stated otherwise).
Where to start
Looking for a walking or cycling route between churches? Visit our free downloads here.
Practicalities
Questions about access? Where to contact someone about church services? Where to stay?
DONATE
Would you like to give financially to support the APW? We’re grateful for all donations, big or small.
The 6 Benefices in the North Wiltshire Deanery are: Malmesbury & Upper Avon, Gauzebrook, Braydon Brook, Woodbridge, Draycot, and Upper Thames. Find out more about the Deanery’s wider ministry on the North Wiltshire Mission Area website:
Website design by Sheona Beaumont, 2024; www.shospace.co.uk
Photographs by David & Anne Pope, Carole Britton, and Sheona Beaumont