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
"You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in You"
St Augustine of Hippo
Confessions 397-400 AD
The aim of this project is for walking pilgrimage to flourish in every Catholic diocese of England & Wales.
We want to help create a thriving culture of sacred journeying that deepens Christian faith, welcomes people of all religions and none,
and serves the common good by promoting health, hospitality, encounter and love of creation.
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.
