Today, July 15th, is St. Swithin's Day. In popular belief, if it rains on St. Swithin’s Day, it will rain for 40 days, but if it is fair, 40 days of fair weather will follow. So, perhaps this spell of unusual weather will continue?

Three guided pilgrimages left this July — and tickets are going fast. Full details + booking here: britishpilgrimage.org/events Sun 5 Jul — Frome Market Day Pilgrimage (4 miles). A many-layered walk through storied landscape with BPT's Guy Hayward, on Frome's bustling market day.

Join Meg Avon, the UK's first River Wife, for a unique one-day pilgrimage following the mysterious waters of the Malago, a tributary of the Avon that flows from a sacred spring. A pilgrimage of flowing water and deep listening. Saturday, July 18th. Join us www.britishpilgrimage.org/events/walk-...

A pilgrimage through deep time. From Gullet Quarry to the magnificent Malvern Priory, our journey traces 650 million years of history, led by geologist Gary White and historian-naturalist Dawn Champion. Reconnect with the land and yourself. Join us on 25th July 2026. Britishpilgrimage.org/events.

Join Guy the Guide (Guy Hayward) for a 4-mile pilgrimage through beautiful landscapes around Frome in Somerset, enriched by our unique mix of songs and stories. Discuss pilgrimage literature with Luke Sherlock of Sherlock & Pages before heading out. Book: www.britishpilgrimage.org/events/frome...

Valentine’s Day isn’t just about flowers and chocolates—it has a fascinating history stretching back to Roman festivals. Christianized version of Cupid? Derivation of Roman festival of Lupercalia? Where are his relics in the UK? Find out more: www.britishpilgrimage.org/stories/the-...

The Curious History of Valentine’s Day: From Ancient Rituals to Victorian Elegance

Andrea Camassei, Lupecales, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

britishpilgrimage.org

Glastonbury is one of Britain's oldest and greatest pilgrimage destinations. And going on May Day will be an experience like no other! Join Guy Hayward this May Day on a beautiful five-mile route around Glastonbury. To book: www.britishpilgrimage.org/.../glastonb....

We just sat down to shape our guided pilgrimage calendar for 2026 — and there are some truly wonderful opportunities to switch off from the hurly burly of life and find out what it means to join a #bringyourownbeliefs pilgrimage. www.britishpilgrimage.org/events for full lineup!

Snowdrops are one of the first signs of spring. They are a perfect flower to share today on Candlemas, as they are also known as Candlemas Bells. Candlemas was popular in the Middle Ages, celebrated with processional candles dedicated to the Virgin Mary. Read on for pilgrimage ideas for Candlemas!

While it may seem like it's been raining every day of January, and that Spring will never come, today it begins! Today we celebrate Imbolc or Óimelc, the Celtic festival marking the return of spring and the beginning of new life. Perhaps light candles tonight to symbolise the growing sunlight.

Today is traditionally observed as the founding day of the Knights Templar — a medieval military order of the Catholic Church, established to protect pilgrims travelling to Jerusalem. Their history is complex and often troubling — yet inseparable from the wider story of pilgrimage across Europe.

We are so excited to announce that our new Pilgrim Shop is LIVE! ✨ 👉🏻 Now until December 2nd midnight use the code TAKE10 to get 10% off 🎁 PLUS today, November 28th, free shipping Shop: www.britishpilgrimage.org/shop Gear: british-pilgrimage-trust.teemill.com

Our Shop - The British Pilgrimage Trust

All proceeds from our shop support The British Pilgrimage Trust, a non profit UK charity.
Thank you!

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A misty, moisty morning for a Silent pilgrimage this weekend, led by BPT's Dawn Champion. As the year turns toward its quieter season, we walked the ancient Pilgrims' Way from Chilham to Canterbury in shared silence. Join our mailing list to look out for upcoming events like this.

Folk is for the people, and it's non-commercial, according to Jeremy Deller, Jenn Reid and Daze Aghaji. We explored how ancient traditions – song, ritual, walking the land – are being rewritten, reclaimed and re-animated. Watch. it: www.britishpilgrimage.org/stories/expl...

What does it mean to rediscover pilgrimage — not just as a journey, but as a way of seeing landscape, meaning and self? Walk with us through Britain’s renewal of this ancient practice. 🔗 britishpilgrimage.org/stories/the-history-of-pilgrimage––a-rediscovery-of-landscape-meaning-and-self

Death and the Lady, an old English folk song born in the time of the Black Death in the 15th c. Sung by British Pilgrimage Trust's Guy Hayward, it reminds us that song and story once helped people face mortality. Perhaps take a walk and light a candle for someone you miss this All Hallows' weekend.

Tonight, we arrive at the season of Halloween, All Saints’ Day, All Souls’ Day, Samhain, Nos Galan, and the Day of the Dead. These are ancient thresholds between light and dark, summer and winter. Fires were lit to dispel the darkness and honour ancestors. www.britishpilgrimage.org/stories/days...

This Sunday is All Souls. Children once went door to door for soul cakes — sweet food for the returning dead. Perhaps bake and walk for someone you miss. Listen to the Souling Song by BPT’s Guy Hayward www.britishpilgrimage.org/stories/days... #SoulCakes #AllSoulsDay #britishPilgrimage

Some images from yesterday's @pilgrimtrust.bsky.social event in London. It included some fascinating panels of speakers, my all-time favourite pilgrim speaker (Satish Kumar), and an improvised ritual at Little Wormwood Scrubs! The natural environment, ritual, and inclusivity were recurring themes.

As the year turns, join us on a guided pilgrimage — from silent paths to ancient cathedrals, from lantern-lit wassails to solstice stones. Discover what pilgrimage might mean for you. Places are limited. Walk with us. 👉 www.britishpilgrimage.org/events#bpt-h...

Our Pilgrimage Gathering 2025 is now sold out, but you can still join us on Thursday for a wonderful concert of reimagined folk songs -- presented in collaboration with Broadside Hacks. www.britishpilgrimage.org/events/pilgr...

✨ Michaelmas: The Pilgrimage of Angels ✨ On Sept 29 we honour St Michael the Archangel—protector, warrior, yet also loving and kind. How might you celebrate? See www.britishpilgrimage.org/resources/mi... for ideas! #Michaelmas #Pilgrimage

Henry VIII banned pilgrimage in 1538, so it may come as a surprise to discover that he once made his own pilgrimage -- to Southwick Priory -- donating 6s. 8d. worth around £250 today. Today marks the day of his pilgrimage. www.britishpilgrimage.org/places/south...

Tomorrow day and night stand in perfect balance, and we welcome Mabon and the Autumn Equinox. Summer fades, winter approaches. Visit: www.britishpilgrimage.org/resources/ma... to learn about Mabon and get some ideas for how you can celebrate in your own home.

Mabon and the Autumn Equinox: a celebration of balance, abundance, and nature’s transition - British Pilgrimage Trust

As the days grow shorter and the air becomes crisper, we approach the Autumn Equinox, also known as Mabon or Alban Elfed in the Druidic tradition

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September marks the Celtic Tree Calendar month of the Vine. There is debate about which woody, winding plant Vine refers to. Grapes? Bramble? Both share an abundance of fruit at this season, and as more vineyards spread across Britain, you may well encounter both whilst out on the path.

Join #SatishKumar for the 2025 #Pilgrimage Gathering: 2nd October, Ladbroke Hall, London A day of #walking, #storytelling, #music & #ritual with Britain's leading folklorists, artists, mystics, historians and healers, hosted by @pilgrimtrust.bsky.social Discover more > britishpilgrimage.org/events

Last Monday, Guy took a group of pilgrims on a new route for us — the Robin Hood Pilgrimage. We began and ended at Edwinstowe Church — where outlaw legend Robin Hood and Maid Marian were married — a story first written down in 15th-century ballads, but likely rooted in even older oral traditions.

We're getting pretty excited over here at BPT about our Pilgrimage Gathering at Ladbroke Hall in London, Oct 2nd. Join us! The whole team will be there, with a lineup of Britain's leading folklorists, artists, mystics, historians and healers. Read on! 👇 www.britishpilgrimage.org/events/pilgr...

🌿 Step into the story and spirit of pilgrimage, as we enter high summer and autumn. Join the British Pilgrimage Trust for guided pilgrimages to York, Canterbury, Glastonbury and Sherwood Forest. Led by our team, each journey is a chance to walk with meaning. www.britishpilgrimage.org/events

Delighted to share news of the launch of the final 40 mile long section of the Athelstan Pilgrim Way in North Wiltshire, with a programme of events to be held over the weekend of 6 and 7 September. You can find all the latest routes at athelstanpilgrimway.org/routes/