St James Way
Did you know that you can walk a Camino de Santiago route in the UK and in doing so you can collect your stamps just like when walking the Camino paths in France, Spain or in Portugal?
And if you were then to travel to A Coruna in Spain and walk from there, you can claim your compostella.
This route is the one that, in medieval times, pilgrims coming from all the countries we now know as the UK, as well as Ireland and perhaps even some from Scandanavia, would walk to the south coast. From there they would sail over to Northern Spain and continue on foot to Santiago.
You might not want to travel to mainland Europe to walk so here is the opportunity to experience the Camino de Santiago in England.
St James Way
Did you know that you can walk a Camino de Santiago route in the UK and in doing so you can collect your stamps just like when walking the Camino paths in France, Spain or in Portugal?
And if you were then to travel to A Coruna in Spain and walk from there, you can claim your compostella.
This route is the one that, in medieval times, pilgrims coming from all the countries we now know as the UK, as well as Ireland and perhaps even some from Scandanavia, would walk to the south coast. From there they would sail over to Northern Spain and continue on foot to Santiago.
You might not want to travel to mainland Europe to walk so here is the opportunity to experience the Camino de Santiago in England.
It is said that the 12th century was the golden age of Christian Pilgrimage and the journey to Santiago de Compostella was a key place to walk to then.
Since the 1980s there has been a resurgence on these paths, especially the traditional route from St John Pied de Port in the foothills of the Pyrennes. I have now seen that interest continue on all the Camino paths and Pilgrimage paths in general, so perhaps another Golden Age is coming.
The fast pace of life, overwhelm and stress and the pandemic have all had people searching for a simpler way and a way of connecting to themselves and to what is important. Walking is a great way to ‘be’ in the moment, to be more grounded and to get answers and clarity.
Yes people do still make the journey from a religious perspective but so many more approach it from a spiritual point of view and others use it to take time out or to challenge themselves.
The St James Way runs from Reading, which was once a major religious centre and in fact the centre of the cult of St James in England in the Middle Ages, to Southampton on the south coast and a gateway to Spain or France.
The path we will follow is a relatively new one, recently put together by the Confraternity of St James.
I discovered it in 2021 when I was missing being able to walk the Camino and it was the perfect solution. I walked with a friend in June of that year and then piloted it with a small group in the early November of the same year.
We walk along canals and rivers, follow old drovers’ roads and visit watercress beds. The scenery is stunning, gentle and very English and we pass through quaint villages and stunning cities like Winchester with its amazing cathedral.
No matter what Camino, or in fact ancient path you are on, you cannot ignore the history that walks with you and that is part of the transformational experience that a path like this brings. It provides time and space that we so rarely get in our everyday lives and you can use the opportunity to spend time putting YOU first.
Lean into the possibility as you walk and maximise this gift that you are giving yourself.
You will find that there’s something very special about the closeness, fun, laughter and camaraderie of travelling as a small group on what is a spiritual journey.
Walking gives us so much and walking on a long distance path is very different from just ‘going out for a walk’ which might take an hour or a few or even a whole day. On an experience like this you are walking on for a period of days. Magic things happen when your main aim is to get from A to B, enjoy your post walk drink, a hot shower and then dinner.
Over a period of days you are required to pace yourself and if you usually rush around you will find yourself walking more slowly and soon you will see the benefits that brings.
All of this is about YOU and time to put yourself first. This is not selfish, though many of us have been brought up to believe it is. Not at all – by giving to yourself, you have your needs met and are then in a much better place to give to others. It’s all part of self care, something we should all be doing regularly.
So there are no beds to make, piles of ironing to work through, supermarket shopping to do or food to prepare. No-one else’s demands to attend to.
Due to the lack of infrastructure on this new path, there are not yet the types of suitable accommodation available on the path at the end of each section so we use 3 different bases for varying numbers of days and we use taxis, buses and trains to get us to and from our day walks. It all works well.
All your accommodation is booked in advance on the path and your large bags are moved when we change base so you only have to carry a day pack.
I’ll provide you with a fitness plan, a tried and tested packing list as well as advice and guidance on gear, travel and anything else you need/want to know so that you can feel confident when you join us.
We’ll have a group call a few months before the event so you can all say ‘hi’ to each other and start to build the bond that will inevitably grow, and there will also be a one to one follow up call with me afterwards.
You have me from when you sign up until we part on return… and perhaps even longer if you want some help in bringing everything to fruition as you want.
The Journey
It’s really important to me to evaluate our services, to be open to the feedback and to make changes accordingly so that we are always providing you with the best experience that we can. The journey that you now under take has been through that process and I know that with the changes made will enhance your experience so that you will get even more out of it.
Our journey consists of 6 days walking. We travel to Reading on day one, meeting early afternoon giving us time to have a short walk to the ruins of the abbey where our journey begins. Doing that in this way is more relaxing than trying to fit it in on our first walking day and we then have a drink and an overall briefing of our time together and the days ahead.
The following days are:
Reading to Mortimer – 12 miles
Mortimer to Worting – 13 miles
Worting to Upper Wield – 10.5 miles
Upper Wield to Ovington – 9.5 miles
Ovington to Winchester – 8 miles
Winchester to Eastleigh – 8.5 miles and then the train onto Southampton where we walk to God’s House Tower and the end point.
We will spend our final night back at our base in Winchester and enjoy a celebration meal together. Over dinner we will have the opportunity to reflect and review the last 6 days. To look at what has happened, what has come up and what you want to carry forward as you return home. It’s also a great opportunity to think about our transition back from simple quiet days to the faster pace of your everyday life.
How do you maintain all the positives that have come up for you while away?
On all of our days there will be time for reflection, mindfulness and chatting together in our small group as well as supporting each other as we maximise this time away, something us women do not do enough of.
You deserve this time for your self care and self love because when you have these and have your needs taken care of you are in a much better place for all aspects of your life.
I look forward to welcoming you.
What’s Included
Advice and guidance on travel
- 7 nights accommodation. Accommodation is in twin rooms – if you want a single room, please enquire.
- Transportation of your large bags when we need that to happen
- Taxi pick ups on a couple of occasions
- Breakfast is the only meal included. This allows you to be flexible in what you want to eat at other times.
- An experienced guide to lead you along your journey
- The camaraderie of walking in a small group of like-minded women
- A little pre-walk prep to get you thinking prior to heading off on this adventure. This helps to maximise this time that you are gifting to yourself.
- Time at Reading Abbey on the day we arrive
- 6 days walking
- An extensive tried and tested packing list of what to bring
- A training plan giving you plenty of time to build your fitness.
- Training walks in the London/SW area if you can join us
- A pre-walk group call to meet your fellow walkers and start to bond as a group
- One-to-one and small group discussions along the way
- A post-walk beer/wine/soft drink every walking day
- A post-experience call to pull together what may have come up for you and ensure you are clear and supported in how to move forward. (These are booked before we leave so to ensure continuity and maximising thoughts, experience etc).
- Access to my walking and personal development/coaching experience during this time away
“For me the highlights were meeting everyone on the first day with all the excitement in the air. The beauty of nature. The talks with the inspiring people each day, discovering things and places together. Heather’s amazing way of making things happen wonderfully.” – Maggie Sarfo
“Spotting the plant from the card on the walk the next day made me more observant and present on the other days.” – Carol Friel
“The ladies were wonderful company. The scenery was very varied with ancient churches, pretty chocolate box villages, walking near canals and rivers and through the woods and seeing animals and nature. Weather was great.” – Marianne Delima
“It was great being able to walk a Camino route in the UK while travel was restricted. My highlights were the lovely ladies I met, beautiful quaint English villages & churches and the Heather Weather!” – Carol Friel
“I thought I wanted to have a room to myself and then I shared with Maggie for the two days she was with us. When she left I had my own room but I missed my roomie and was really envious of the others going back with company every evening. Next time I would always share.” – Marianne Delima
“I liked the whole experience and the opportunity to challenge myself in a supportive group.”
“I enjoyed the chance to reinforce an existing friendship and also to make new ones. Come with an open mind and a carefully packed suitcase.” – Karen Christian
“Seeing wildlife and beautiful countryside every day.”
“On the walk, I had a clear realisation that being in the moment is key – every where, every time.” – Maggie Sarfo
“This was an area of the UK I wasn’t familiar with and I thought it would be an opportunity to prepare for other Camino walks. I loved the beautiful countryside, no two days were the same, and the great people in the group. Walking at a slower pace really does allow you to take in more of ways around you. If you are considering it, go for it! There is something for everyone.” – Diane Care
Interested in coming along?
If you are, then your investment is £2197 which is the earlybird price available until the end of April 2024, then it rises to £2397.
Please note that although you can have a room to yourself, due to lack of suitable accommodation on route, the single supplement is high. Please talk to me if this is something you would want.
We take a non-refundable deposit of £300 leaving the balance to pay in a lump sum or in installments.
On this trip, breakfast is the only meal included which gives choice to have a main meal at lunch time or in the evening.
The dates are Monday 7th October to Monday 14th October.
If you want to ask questions, discuss any concerns or just want to chat it over then all chats are commitment free. You can book yours below.
Book a Virtual Coffee Here
Other UK walking includes 1 day monthly walks in London and the South East.
We are currently developing a wider portfolio of shorter walks like the Camino Taster in the UK as well as some 1 day historical walks and some 2 day walking events too.
Why not start off by joining our Inner Circle where I share insights and tips from my world of walking, self care and personal development as well as all the latest news about upcoming events and retreats.
Heather x
