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’.
6th September 2025
Braydon Brook & Upper routeS LAUNCH
11.30am Pilgrimage Walk from The Leigh Chancel (SN6 6QY) to Cricklade
2.30pm Main Speaker event with Martin Palmer at St Sampson’s Church, Cricklade (SN6 6AT)
On the 6th September Martin Palmer joins us again to celebrate the stories and symbols of our churches, inside and out.
Martin co-founded the internationally renowned Alliance of Religions and Conservation with HRH Prince Philip, and is also the author of Sacred Land: Decoding Britain’s extraordinary past through its towns, villages and countryside (2012).
Please note:
PLUS:
KEEP WALKING ON THE 7th SEPTEMBER
There will be a pilgrimage walk from Crudwell Church (SN16 9ER) to Hankerton Church (SN16 9LF), meeting in Crudwell at 2pm for a short introduction to the church, before setting off at 2.30pm.
This will be followed by a cream tea at Hankerton Church at 4pm and a short evening service. There will then be an optional return walk to Crudwell by a different route.
The Crudwell-Hankerton route is approximately 2 miles, taking less than an hour.
ALSO coming SOON:
18th AUGUST onwards
WALK OR CYCLE FROM MALMESBURY to KINGSTON UPON THAMES
Take part in an historic 11-day walk or 2-day cycle ride, celebrating the 1100th anniversary
of Athelstan’s coronation
&
13th September 2025
The APW CYCLE ROUTE
Join us to launch the 100-Mile Cycle Route of the Athelstan Pilgrim Way
(route publication coming soon)
LOCAL AUTHOR TALKS CONTINUE:
- St Bartholomew’s Church, Corsham, Sunday 29th June, 6pm
- St Sampson’s Church, Cricklade, Friday 18th July, 6pm
Carole Britton will be talking about her book, the companion guide to the Athelstan Pilgrim Way: Past, Present, Presence. The book is a personal journey through the life, legacy and words of ‘part-time hermit’ and former Didmarton resident Hilary Peters.
All welcome! Talks include refreshments and signed books on sale.
With thanks to ALL WHO CAME TO our RECENT 2nd-STAGE LAUNCH
5th & 6th APril 2025
WOODBRIDGE & DRAYCOT
Special thanks to speakers Martin Palmer and Sheona Beaumont, and the fabulous Malmesbury Choir!
Talks available to download here soon
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). As of Easter 2025, there are 4 routes officially open: Malmesbury & Upper Avon (4 churches), Gauzebrook (9 churches), Draycot (6 churches), and Woodbridge (6 churches). There will be 6 circular routes overall, with linking sections between them. Braydon Brook and Upper Thames will be launched in September 2025.
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, subject to change).
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, Draycot, Woodbridge, Braydon Brook, 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