New pilgrimage trails in Yorkshire shows unexpected revival for historic voyages
Over the past few years, the act of pilgrimage has had an unexpected revival.
From half a million tourists trekking across Europe on the Camino de Santiago to the Archbishop of Canterbury walking from 87 miles from London to be enthroned, more and more people are embracing the ancient tradition of pilgrimage, not always for religious reasons but to appreciate nature and spirituality in all forms.
And now new pilgrimage routes across the North of England are inviting people of all backgrounds to step into journeys of reflection, discovery and hope.
Each route offers something unique from historic village churches to grand cathedrals.
And championing them is Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell.
He said: “Pilgrimage teaches us to slow down, to notice the world around us, and to become more attentive to God and to one another.
“These new pilgrimage routes across the North invite people to discover afresh the beauty, history and spirituality of this extraordinary part of the country.
Whether you walk in faith, curiosity or simply in search of peace and reflection, pilgrimage has the power to change us.”
The new routes include Spurn Point Way, which celebrates the life of Wilgils, a 7th-century hermit who spent his life devoted to prayer on that stretch of coastline.
The seven-mile route runs from the Yorkshire Wildlife Discovery Centre at Kilnsea to Spurn Head, a striking natural landscape.
Three new pilgrimages are also linked to historic Fountains Abbey, near Ripon, one of the best preserved of all the monasteries that were dissolved in the reign of Henry VIII.
The Fountains Ways include three pilgrimage trails linking eight village churches across rural parishes in the Fountains Benefice around Masham.
All three routes are circular, including two seven-mile walks starting from Kirby Malzeard and a nine-mile route passing through Studley Royal Park and near Fountains Abbey.
Many churches along the way offer a warm welcome, alongside “Church Explorer” activities inviting families and visitors to discover their history and heritage.
And in West Yorkshire the new Paulinus Pilgrim Trail traces the footsteps of St Paulinus, a missionary and the first Bishop of York, who played a key role in the spread of Christianity in the 7th century.
Beginning in Todmorden, the 87-mile route passes through Halifax, Dewsbury, Wakefield and York, following a network of established paths including the Calderdale Way, Kirklees Way, Trans Pennine Trail, Leeds Country Way and Ebor Way.
Highlights include Dewsbury Minster, which houses fragments of the St Paulinus Cross. This new route is being created as part of the anniversary celebrations in 2027 of 1400 years since the baptism of King Edwin by St Paulinus.