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The Shaftesbury Tales pilgrimage route


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Pilgrimage Trust say “Walking is for the body, Pilgrimage is for the soul”
We’re adopting their ‘bring your own beliefs’ approach and vision of pilgrimage as part of our cultural heritage.

The days spent walking are an intrinsic part of ‘The Shaftesbury Tales’, reliving the journey taken by St Edward’s first Pilgrims a millenium ago when they accompanied his body from Wareham to Shaftesbury Abbey, and by countless thousands in the centuries since.
Led by Penny, our costumed cast will focus attention on the natural landscape, historical connection, and an inner journey.

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The last page of our programme booklet is your Pilgrim Passport, which you can get stamped at the start and end of each days walk.
Our thanks to Rachel Diment for permission to use her image of Edward for our ink stamp
​! There are also official St Edwards Way stamps to use in Lady St Mary Church, Wareham, and at our journey’s end in Shaftesbury Abbey.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We’re roughly following St Edwards Way, as developed by the Dorset Ramblers in 2021.
Although not a formal guided event, all are warmly welcomed to walk alongside us, for as much or as little as you’d like.
All walks involve a risk or personal injury or death. This is not a guided event, and you are fully responsible for your own self and your own safety, as you would be on any country walk. The Shaftesbury Tales and Treehouse Theatre do not accept responsibility or liability for any individuals walking with us.


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DAY 1 -  Saturday 13th July - Corfe to Wareham

Meet 10am at St Edwards Church, Corfe Castle

Finish Lady St Marys Church, Wareham

5.8 miles / 9.4 km

https://www.plotaroute.com/route/2679256

 

DAY 2 - Tuesday 16th July - Wareham to Bloxworth

Meet 10am at Lady St Marys Church, Wareham

Finish Bloxworth Village Hall

6.9 miles / 11.1km

https://www.plotaroute.com/route/2679258

 

DAY 3 - Wednesday 17th July - Bloxworth to Winterbourne Whitechurch

Meet 10am at Bloxworth Village Hall

Finish Winterbourne Whitechurch Village Hall

6.3 miles / 10.3 km

https://www.plotaroute.com/route/2679264

 

DAY 4 - Friday 19th July - Winterbourne Whitechurch to Shillingstone

Meet 10am at Winterbourne Whitechurch Village Hall

Finish at Shillingstone Recreation ground

8.4 miles / 13.5 km

https://www.plotaroute.com/route/2676632

 

DAY 5 - Sunday 21st July - Shillingstone to Fontmell Magna

Meet 10am at Shillingstone Recreation ground

Finish St Andrews Church, Fontmell Magna

6.8 miles / 11 km

https://www.plotaroute.com/route/2679275

 

DAY 6  - Tuesday 23rd July - Fontmell Magna to Two Brewers, Shaftesbury

Meet 10am at St Andrews Church, Fontmell Magna

Finish Two Brewers pub, foot of Gold Hill, Shaftesbury

5 miles / 8.1 km

https://www.plotaroute.com/route/2679278

 

Grand finale!  - Thursday 25th July  - Shaftesbury Abbey via Gold Hill

Meet 1.30pm at Two Brewers pub, foot of Gold Hill, Shaftesbury

Finish Shaftesbury Abbey

0.3 miles / 0.5 km

https://www.plotaroute.com/route/2679279

 

READ ABOUT St Edwards Way here

https://www.shaftesburyabbey.org.uk/st-edwards-way

Photo credits: Louisa Lindsey-Clark, Penny Falzoni, Pete Courtenay, Charmaine Kay, Alastair Braidwood, Shaftesbury Fringe. 

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