The Wapentake Wander

One day pilgrimage walk

About the Walk

Our 21st-century pilgrimage is the first to be created in this area and a wonderful way to discover the hidden history of the area. You will learn about nature, your journey companions and get a chance to experience some pilgrim practices along the way.

Wapentakes were created under King Edgar, crowned in 959. Edgar’s legacy was the creation of the Shires, governed by groups of leaders called ealdormen. In the North, the shires were divided into wapentakes for administrative and legal purposes.

The word wapentake literally means weapon take, likely from the brandishing of weapons when called to meet the ealdormen, as an expression of approval.

Barnsley has the Wapentake of Staincross, meaning meeting with weapons at the place of the stone cross.

There are ten parish churches within the Wapentake of Staincross, covering a large area of South and West Yorkshire.

On this Wapentake Wander pilgrimage, we are walking around four of these fascinating buildings to discover their mysteries.

Walk itinerary

We assemble at 10am to begin our pilgrimage at All Hallows High Hoyland, a de-consecrated church rebuilt in 1904 for a congregation long since resettled on land where archaeologists believe Christian worship has taken place since the 6th century. The church was originally converted by local resident Alison Johnson, whose son is buried in the churchyard and had a vision to create an art gallery to showcase the work of rehabilitating prisoners. It is now a Christian retreat centre and stunning Air B& B for people of any and no faith under the care of Reverends Jasper and Tina Hodges, former C of E ministers who will send us off with an optional pilgrim blessing.

We set our intentions for the day, then make our way through woodland and across field tracks to All Saints Cawthorne, 12th century but with earlier Anglo Saxon crosses in the external wall and graveyard. Your pilgrim guide will explain how Britain became Christianised from South and North into the Midlands, weaving the threads of the Saints together.

After a look at the picture-postcard village, we journey on to All Saints Silkstone, known as The Minster of the Moors, where this perpendicular church with stunning gargoyles, flying buttresses, pinnacles and stained glass replaced the earlier re-worked Norman architecture. Here you can marvel at the intricacy and beauty of the craftsmanship, then at the freshly-conserved Bretton Chapel where the Wentworth family of nearly Bretton Hall were laid to rest.

This is a moment to eat a lunch we bring, enjoying the church’s warm hospitality and a cuppa.

Outside Silkstone Church, we remember the cost of the area’s long associations with the coal, iron and glass making industries. In fact, the it was back in 833 when the land was granted for digging coal by the Abbot of Peterborough- another of our Hope Walking pilgrimages! The Huskar Pit disaster was a national tragedy which cost the lives of 26 children in 1838, remembered inside in a stunning stained glass window and outside with a moving memorial. Silkstone graveyard also holds Commonwealth War Graves, so this is a moment where we will take time to remember those we have loved and lost and give thanks for their lives, lighting a candle at the church altar before we leave.

We walk along the extended Silkstone Waggonway which brought wealth and employment to the land-locked Silkstone Valley from 1809, by linking the area to the Barnsley Canal.

Pausing for moments of reflection and mindfulness, we arrive at All Saints Darton, our last Wapentake church of our pilgrimage today completed in 1517 and a chance to reflect on ‘all the saints’ who have made a valued difference to our lives. A walk uphill through field tracks brings us back to the peaceful haven of All Hallows High Hoyland once again, where tea and cake await us pilgrims- a Mount Joy moment indeed!

Refreshed in body, mind and spirit, one final opportunity awaits. For those who can manage steep narrow steps and heights, there is the option of the 1679 tower tour to the top of the Retreat from where four counties and York Minster can be seen on a clear day. Others may wish to sit and reflect in the beautiful retreat gardens or stroll around the wild natural beauty of the Commonwealth War graveyard. There will also be an inspiring art exhibition within the building to view.

When retreat guests are not using the space, we may also see the ancient Anglo-Saxon carvings set into All Hallows’ interior wall and a dedication stone to the grandmother of Vogue Editor Anna Wintour on our way to marvel at the William Morris stained glass triptych window in the guest apartment of his name.

We say farewell to our journey companions and depart revived and restored with some special pilgrim practices to bring peace and comfort into our everyday lives.

Walk Summary

Date: Contact us for next available dates

Description: 1-day modern pilgrimage walk starting 10.00 am, concluding around 4.00 pm.

Grade: Moderate

Price: £39.50 per person, includes all church donations, tours and refreshments.

*Please bring your own lunch and drink.

Walk guide: Faye Smith

Deposit: Full payment on booking please to secure minimum numbers- no bookings will be taken after 48 hours before the event.

What’s included:

• Services of pilgrim guide throughout your walk

• Pilgrim candle and scrip

• Hot drinks at start and lunchtime

• Tea and cake at the end of the pilgrimage

• Behind the scenes church tour and art exhibition

What to bring: Please bring water and a packed lunch. Dress for the weather, stout footwear and walking poles may be useful. Refreshments are included and there are toilets at the start of the walk and along the way.

Travelling to the route start:

We always recommend the greenest option of public transport where possible.

By train: The nearest train station is Darton, 3 miles away from the route start.

By car: Satnav postcode to the church is S75 4BJ- look out for the lychgate soon after passing the stone High Hoyland sign. Free parking is available on the roadside. Please take care on this narrow rural road. The Hamlet’s residents ask you please park safely, considerately and not in the 20 metres before the church, which is on a blind bend.

Customer review

“I wasn’t a big walker before I met Faye. My first walk was joining her walking group for a Boxing Day stomp and boy did I love it.  The nature, the views, the company and not forgetting the pit stops, were all fabulous while we shared stories and put the world to rights.  

I also took time to walk quietly alone and to just breathe and observe the wonderful surroundings.  Since this time we have walked all over the Peak District, ensuring that I took time to exercise and enjoy Faye's insightful and inspiring company.”

ALEX

Why not start your journey today?