Walking Pilgrimage Ways within the Catholic dioceses of

England & Wales

welcoming people of all faiths and none

HEARTS IN SEARCH OF GOD

“Whoever they may be

— young or old, rich or poor, sick and troubled or curious tourists —

let them find due welcome, because in every person there is a

heart in search of God,

at times without being fully aware of it.”


  Pope Francis

address to those engaged in pilgrimage work and rectors of shrines, 21.01.2016

Hearts in Search of God

The aim of this project is to promote walking pilgrimage in England & Wales by developing Pilgrim Ways between the cathedral of each Catholic diocese and one or more shrines within the same diocese. The Ways are an opportunity for Christians to deepen their faith, and for people of all faiths and none to share in the experience of walking a pilgrimage in a Catholic context.


The hope is that walking pilgrimage will contribute to the common good of our nations through encouraging encounter with others, hospitality, and love for the environment. Phil McCarthy is the project lead and the Rt Rev Patrick McKinney, the Bishop of Nottingham, is the patron.

Let Us Walk

At the Hearts in Search of God Spring Gathering on 21st March 2026 a proposal was made for a national walking pilgrimage in the week before the Adoremus Eucharistic Celebration on 10th October 2026 to celebrate the Year of St Francis of Assisi. 


The 5 day walking pilgrimage will start at the Church of St Francis of Assisi in Maidstone and end at the Metropolitan Cathedral of St George in Southwark on Friday 9th October for shared prayer. The Adoremus events will take place on Saturday 10th October and Sunday 11th. A small group of perpetual pilgrims will walk the full distance, joined by day pilgrims who will register for each day.


FIND OUT MORE

Walking for Peace with St Francis of Assisi

2026 is the 800th anniversary of the death of St Francis of Assisi and a special year has been declared by Pope Leo XIV.


Francis was a pilgrim who undertook significant journeys to Rome and Santiago de Compostela and attempted to go on pilgrimage to the Holy Land. We live in troubled times so why not undertake a pilgrimage for peace to mark the special year? Click the button below for more inspiration.

Diocesan Pilgrim Ways

The Pilgrim Ways start at the cathedral of the diocese and end at a shrine within the diocese. The routes take in the Catholic parish churches along the Way and places of relevant historical interest. They are off-road as much as possible and incorporate existing pilgrim routes and long-distance footpaths.


In most dioceses there is no such route but the Diocese of Leeds has the two day St Wilfrid’s Way and the Diocese of Lancaster has the six day St Mary’s Way. In Southwark there is the Becket Way and the Augustine Camino. In Arundel & Brighton there is an annual ecumenical walking pilgrimage: Pilgrims Live! Nationally there is Pilgrim Cross (formerly Student Cross) to Walsingham in Holy Week. These walks provide models and inspiration for this project. 


The new Pilgrim Ways were planned and walked by Phil McCarthy, the Hearts in Search of God Project Lead, during 2023 and 2024. Walking directions, GPX files and background notes for the the Ways are available on this website, listed by diocese.


Feedback about the routes is welcome and as well as corrections and suggestions from pilgrims who have walked the route. All the Ways can be seen on the map in the following section. 


If you walk one of these ways we hope your pilgrimage will be fruitful.


Select a Pilgrim Way on the interactive map below

Completed your pilgrimage? Now download your free certificate!