Arundel and Brighton Ecumenical Walking Pilgrimages

History

The pilgrimages started in 1975, “beating the bounds” of the Diocese of Arundel and Brighton, aimed firmly at young people. The one-off event became an annual institution, taking us to traditional destinations such as Canterbury, Walsingham, Glastonbury, St David’s, Lindisfarne and to less traditional places such as Buckfast Abbey and Dover (tracing the life of St Richard of Chichester). We discovered the joys and challenges of a community on the move. We became firmly ecumenical in 1981, when the churches in Sussex together celebrated the centenary of the arrival of St Wilfred.

Over the years the pilgrimage has evolved from a cheap holiday for young people to an inexpensive trip for all ages, the only qualifications required being an ability to walk and a willingness to sleep on the floor of village, church or school halls. A sense of humour helps too, as it can be tough at times.

Each pilgrim will remember different highlights, but a couple from recent years come to mind: a standing ovation from the visiting choir as we processed into Evensong at Winchester Cathedral, and the thrill of hearing the great west doors of Salisbury Cathedral open as we assembled outside (having been told we’d have to use a side entrance). Of course we’ve had hardship too: wet clothes and blistered feet from a typical English August, sunburn from an untypical August, too many hills – or too few (approaching Ely cathedral – visible for miles and miles). But the hardships are forgotten in the joy of arrival, and the companionship of fellow travellers.

We have achieved a balanced group: 50 to 60 pilgrims each year, of whom about 20-25% are newcomers, combines continuity and fresh ideas. The whole undertaking is organised volunteers from within the group.

 

Architecture

How to describe architecture for a group on the move? Well, we do encounter a lot of it! From great cathedrals to simple churches and chapels, some hidden gems among them; the variety of buildings we find to accommodate us overnight – church halls, school halls, village halls, varying in age, condition and design but providing that essential protection from the elements; and as for the hostelries that we stop in at lunchtime… Yes, a pilgrimage gets you a lot of architecture!

Attractions

The pilgrimage clearly holds an attraction for many, who return year after year, and others who discover our website after many years absence. What attracts individuals can be hard to define: there are those who come for the walking, those who come for community, those who come for worship, those who come for the churches we visit. But most of us come for the unique blend of these attractions, to live a simpler life for a while, to praise God not only in church but in our whole life, and in our enjoyment thereof.

Local Interest

What is "local" varies from year to year, and indeed from day to day as we walk. The route tries to take in relevent local attractions where we can.