Take a UK pilgrimage to inspire your own Canterbury tales

July 11, 2024 - PRLog -- While pilgrimages may sound as much a part of history as the Black Death and witchcraft trials they are, in fact, booming in popularity, appealing to walkers and those seeking a spiritual adventure.

Lily Smith, a leading travel expert from Monasteries.com, says: 'Britain's remarkable pilgrim trails offer a very different kind of holiday for people wanting to better understand their country, keep fit or to recharge their spiritual batteries.

'Canterbury Cathedral, where Archbishop Thomas Becket was martyred in 1170, was already an old pilgrimage route by the time Geoffrey Chaucer wrote The Canterbury Tales in around 1400. His colourful band of pilgrims set out from the Tabard Inn in Southwark, London. Sadly, this was demolished in the Victorian era but the nearby George Inn, the only surviving galleried coaching inn in London, gives a flavour of what it may once have been like.

'To really enter the spirit of a pilgrimage it's even possible to stay in some monasteries and other places owned by religious institutions along the routes. For example, St. Monica House in Kennington, London, is run by the Maltese Province of the Augustinian Sisters Servants of Jesus and Mary, who live in the convent next door. There is availability from September from just £74.75 a night.

'Of course, Chaucer's route has a little more traffic now than it did in the medieval period. That's why many people follow the equally old Pilgrims' Way to Canterbury from the historic cathedral city of Winchester.

'Many walkers actually choose to start their walk in Winchester's sister cathedral city, Salisbury. The Clarendon Way links these two ancient cities. Modern pilgrims can stay at Sarum College, a theological college based in 17^th-century buildings just opposite Salisbury Cathedral, within its 80-acre Close. Rooms are available in July and beyond from just £65 a night.

'From Winchester, the Pilgrims' Way "proper" is a 119-mile (192km) walk following an ancient trackway actually dating back to pre-Christian times, possibly as long ago as 600BC. It runs the entire length of the North Downs, linking the English Channel to the ancient religious sites of Avebury and Stonehenge. To avoid traffic, we recommend people walk the St Swithun's Way between Winchester and Farnham and then the North Downs Way National Trail from Farnham to Canterbury.

'Booking a stay in an abbey or monastery on the route of these UK pilgrimages is surprisingly easy. The unique accommodation site Monasteries.com provides a booking platform for religious orders with stays across mainland Europe, Great Britain and Ireland. He (or she) who would valiant be, will find much more information about UK pilgrimage trails and how to book at https://www.monasteries.com/en-GB/countries/GB