This website combines three of my passions: walking in the countryside, visiting churches and walking with friends. All three activities are visible, physical reminders of God’s presence among us. The 9th century wandering monk and teacher John Scotus Eriugna wrote that God speaks to us through two books: the small book of the Bible and the big book of nature. In the 20th century George MacLeod, who rebuilt Iona Abbey, believed we could also experience the divine by being with and serving others, especially those who suffer.
The aim of this website is to host a collection of short, circular routes of between 2 and 8 miles in Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire. These are more than walks, they are pilgrimages. At each stop along the route there is a brief history of the place, a relevant Bible passage, a short reflection and a prayer.
They are designed to be self-guided pilgrimages for small groups or individuals. If you would like your circular pilgrimage to be added to this website, please visit this section.
The website also hosts a listing of upcoming guided circular pilgrimages led by priests in the St Albans Diocese, including Swedish-Style Pilgrimages (link) and also a listing for long-distance pilgrimages which pass through the St Albans Diocese.
This is a personal website and has the support of the Diocese of St Albans.
Our Diocese is rooted in Pilgrimage, as explained in the Statement of Need in a search for a new Bishop of St Albans:
“Rooted in the story of Saint Alban—the first British martyr—the Diocese of St Albans has long been a place of pilgrimage, shaped by the great Easter and Alban Pilgrimages and by generations of Christians who have walked, worshipped and witnessed here. In the north of the Diocese, the legacy of John Bunyan, author of The Pilgrim’s Progress, speaks to an inner journey of faith, courage and transformation. Together, these stories remind us that pilgrimage is open to all—a path we walk with God as we grow in faith and deepen our discipleship. Together, these stories remind us that pilgrimage is open to all—a path we walk with God as we grow in faith and deepen our discipleship. We pray for a bishop who will help us continue that journey—walking with us, guiding us, and encouraging us to journey with one another as we follow Christ.”
Not everyone is able to go on long-distance pilgrimages, but there are plenty of are historical pilgrimages on our doorstep just waiting for us.
Bill Britt, Vicar of St Mary’s Stotfold & All Saints Radwell
Website in memory of Theresa Britt, who loved church crawling.
Psalm 16 Verse 11
“Thou wilt show me the path of life. In thy presence is fullness of joy.”
