As leaves unfurl and bluebells carpet woodland, celebrate the end of spring and start of summer with a pilgrimage along Wiltshire footpaths and an old ox drove finishing with (optional) choral evensong at Salisbury Cathedral. The starting point is St Mary’s Church in Dinton where you will be invited to light a candle to start your journey with a private intention for the 11 mile pilgrimage. Pockets of silence to connect to the beauty of nature around you will be woven into the day interspersed with snippets of history.

The route begins with a footpath past an ancient oak tree, weaving along hedgerows and on into bluebell woods. At the tiny hamlet of Baverstock you will visit the small church dedicated to local St Edith, legendary female saint of nearby Wilton. Onwards, the ancient and long ox drove alongside Grovely Wood and then farmland with panoramic views of the surrounding countryside where we will stop for a picnic lunch.

Dropping down an avenue of majestic beech trees, the route passes into the small market town of Wilton, once the administrative capital of the Saxon Kingdom of Wessex. There was once an abbey here – home to St Edith – but now long since disappeared. After visiting the remnants of the ancient parish church of St Mary and its fabulous 19^th Italianate replacement, the route traverses the boundary of Wilton House estate. Our final furlong passes across fields to the river with views of the cathedral across the water meadows famously captured by the painter Constable. For those who wish to attend a final flourish, the day will close with choral evensong at the cathedral.

The walk is led by BPT volunteer Laura Downer, a cancer survivor and founder of modest not for profit Positive Nature celebrating the wonder of the natural world and promoting care for nature, health and the environment. In September, she will be cycling from Salisbury to Canterbury along the BPT’s Cathedral Cycle Route in Aid of Action Against Cancer. To support her, click here.

More about the Walk and What to Wear The route is a combination of footpaths through woods and across fields which may be muddy (although the weather will hopefully be generally better by end of April), uneven tracks (the ox drove) and a stretch of road as we traverse Wilton and come into Salisbury. There is a short, slightly steep decline on uneven ground coming out of the woods into Baverstock, otherwise the walk is fairly easy. Please wear walking boots and bring suitable weather projection. We will need to walk at a reasonable pace to reach Salisbury by evensong but there will be time for breaks and a picnic along the way.

Facilities There are no shops or cafes until we reach Wilton (approx. 6 miles into the walk). Please bring a picnic, snacks and water. There are no toilets until we reach Wilton; please be prepared for 'trips to the bushes'.

Travel The nearest railway stations are Tisbury (5 miles to Dinton) or Salisbury (9 miles) – both on the mainline from London. If you are travelling by car, please park in the National Trust car park adjacent to the church. Depending on numbers and individual plans, the walk leader can help to coordinate return travel to Dinton or Tisbury by rail, minibus (charged at cost) or private car. Please note that the pilgrimage price does not include the cost of local travel.

FAQ’s

What is my ticket price paying for, in addition to admission? The funds raised from this limited space event allow the team at British Pilgrimage Trust (a registered charity) to spend more time making it possible for thousands of pilgrims to make pilgrimage themselves by engaging with our ever-increasing range of free resources. For more details about our charitable activities, please check here.

Who can come? Anyone over 18 (or under 18 with parental guidance, bearing in mind the walking distance).

Is this religious? All and no-faiths are equally welcome. We operate a “Bring Your Own Beliefs” policy. We ask that all participating pilgrims tolerate one another, whatever their beliefs.

Will I be asked to share my feelings with the group? We like to keep things light and breezy, so there will be no group emotional sharing moments, even though people may be coming for emotional reasons. If you want to share your feelings in personal conversation when walking with others that is up to you, but certainly not compulsory.

Are there fitness limitations? Pilgrimage is moderately intense. If you struggle to walk all day, this type of pilgrimage may be an unsuitable activity for you right now. There are always plenty of escape points en route. But we will walk at a steady pace, and start early, giving us time to walk the distance. Unfortunately this pilgrimage is not suited for mobility-impaired people or those requiring wheelchair access. Unfortunately this pilgrimage is not suited for mobility-impaired people or those requiring wheelchair access.

Can I bring my dog? Sadly not - we can’t accommodate dogs on our guided pilgrimages. However, if you have a registered assistance dog, they are welcome.

If you would like to make a donation in addition to a ticket, click here.

We hope to see you on the path.