One-day Pilgrimage Walk
A one-day 6-mile modern pilgrimage from St Kyneburgha’s Church, Castor to the magnificence of Katharine of Aragon’s tomb in Peterborough’s famous Cathedral along the beautiful River Nene, for up to twenty women and men of any or no faith.
Pace: Moderate over the six fairly flat miles, around 2 miles per hour.
Price: £39.50 per person
Walk leader: Faye Smith in partnership with Peterborough Cathedral
Available date: Friday 5 July 2024, Saturday 12 October 2024
About the walk
Our 21st-century pilgrimage is the perfect way to welcome the start of Spring, setting your intentions while immersing yourself deeply in stillness and beauty of the greening season. A very special journey from this former site of a Roman palace and Celtic-rooted double monastery where the world’s oldest communion plate and chalices were found, along the beautiful banks of the River Nene. For hundreds of years, pilgrims of old would have made their way to the shrine of St Kyneburgha and the awe-inspiring Gothic Cathedral’s biggest draw, the arm of kindly King St Oswald.
It’s a journey of purpose, an opportunity to reflect and enjoy the soothing rhythm of walking in nature with your new companions, through the beautiful Fenlands. You will learn about nature, history and get a chance to experience some pilgrim practices along the way.
Walk itinerary
On the Day
We gather at St Kyneburgha’s church Castor at 10.00 am for our welcome and introductions. St Kyneburgha was the daughter of King Penda of Mercia, a powerful pagan Saxon warrior. We will see the most special highlights of this beautiful Norman Church, which has been a site of worship since the 4th century. Here at the altar, there will be a quiet moment to set your own private intention for the journey ahead with your complimentary candle and pilgrim scrip and where ministers are available, an optional pilgrim blessing.
We leave the village crossing quiet fields down to the riverbank where we may see herons, and even a rare sight of an otter or blue flash of a kingfisher. Following the river into the heart of Peterborough, there will be times for peaceful reflection as Faye shares pilgrim insights from nature, times of inspiration as you learn the history of the royal sisters who became sainted abbesses, and whose relics were translated to Peterborough Cathedral in 963 to avoid the Viking raids which destroyed the community.
A short walk through town, and we have our Mount Joy moment- a sight of the wonderous Gothic pinnacles of Peterborough’s famous 12th century Cathedral, grown from the monastery first founded on the site in 655 by Kyneburgha’s brother Paeda.
Entering the imposing archway, we will share a moment of thankfulness for safe arrivals at St Kyneburgha’s chapel, lighting a candle and revisiting our intention at the chapel of St Oswald, a key figure in the Celtic Christianisation of Britain.
After a pause for lunch together around 1.15pm- please bring your own and anything you may wish to share in the spirit of pilgrim hospitality- we shall ascend to the rooftops of the Cathedral to look back on our journey and enjoy unparalleled views of the city.
Finally, we end our pilgrimage at the pomegranate-strewn tomb of Katharine [of Aragon], Queen of England, four of the most divisive words in English history and a major cause of the Reformation. After a pilgrim blessing, we bid our farewells and usually return to Castor church by taxi (a share of around £10 fare) in small groups.
Walk Summary
Date: Open to women and men.
In partnership with Peterborough Cathedral
Description: 1-day modern pilgrimage walk starting 10.00 am prompt, concluding around 4.00 pm.
Price: £39.50 per person
*Please bring your own lunch and drink. Hot drink and cake included at the Cathedral during our lunch stop.
Deposit: Payment on booking please, no bookings later than 48 hours before event.
What’s included:
Services of pilgrim guide throughout your walk
Pilgrim candle and scrip
Bespoke guided tour of Peterborough Cathedral
A tour of Peterborough Cathedral tower to the rooftops
PLEASE NOTE: steep, uneven steps and small spaces on the tower climb and heights may adversely affect those who experience vertigo or claustrophobia
Travelling to the start:
Unfortunately, Castor is not well served by public transport. Please check any possibilities from your location.
By car: The address and sat-nav postcode for St Kyneburgha’s church, Castor is 47, Peterborough Road, PE5 7AX. There is ample on-street parking around the village.
Return to the start by taxi from the Cathedral (own cost, shared can be around £3).
Customer reviewS
“I’m so glad that I joined your amazing walk! I had such a lovely day, met some amazing people and had the opportunity to reflect on so many different areas of life. Thank you Faye..”
SANDY LAW
“Thank you Faye for being such an amazing guide- you bring such joy and passion to what you do- I thoroughly enjoyed my first ever pilgrimage and would highly recommend that others join you if they are thinking of taking the plunge. Truly an uplifting experience”
RUBY MCDONALD
“I had such an amazing day. Thank you so much Faye for all the information en route- definite food for thought! Met and chatted to some really lovely people too.”
TRACEY CARMEN
“Faye, thank you for a lovely day and lovely memories. You lit up the day with your spiritual guidance."
JOE & CHRIS