The final stage of a major walking and cycling route through North Wiltshire will be launched this September, offering locals and visitors alike the chance to explore the county’s landscapes, churches, and history in an environmentally friendly way.
The Athelstan Pilgrim Way, a Church of England-led initiative, will reach completion on Saturday 6 September 2025 with the unveiling of its last 40-mile stretch. This new section adds 11 more churches to the route, linking communities across the Braydon Brook and Upper Thames benefices, between Malmesbury and Cricklade.
The full trail now spans 100 miles, with the new segment offering both long-distance options and shorter walks between churches – ideal for families, those short on time, and younger walkers.
The launch event will take place at St Sampson’s Church, Cricklade, starting at 2.30pm, with guest speaker Martin Palmer – an environmentalist, broadcaster, and writer who co-founded the Alliance of Religions and Conservation with HRH Prince Philip. He is also the author of Sacred Land.
Tickets, priced at £10.50 (children free), will go on sale from 21 July via the official Athelstan Pilgrim Way website or in person from Cricklade Town Council offices. Free parking will be provided at St Sampson’s CE Primary School.
To accompany the route, a series of guidebooks will be available, including the Past Present Presence companion by local author Carole Britton. Walkers and cyclists can also collect stamps in a free “Pilgrim Passport” available from Malmesbury Abbey bookshop and other outlets.
For younger pilgrims – or the young at heart – there’s also a special children’s trail following “Stan the Dog” as he searches for canine carvings and figures hidden in churches along the way.
Those keen to get moving before the main launch can join an organised 4.5-mile walk to St Sampson’s from Leigh Chancel, taking in All Saints Church along the route. The following day, Sunday 7 September, a pilgrimage will set off from All Saints Church, Crudwell, to Holy Cross Church, Hankerton, with a cream tea, short evening service, and a different route back.
The Athelstan Pilgrim Way is being promoted as a celebration of Wiltshire’s heritage and a gentle invitation to connect with nature, history, and community spirit – all while leaving a light footprint on the land.
