Several routes are planned, one is open for walking in the Herefordshire Diocese from June 2021, the seven day Golden Valley Pilgrim Way. The other routes outlined here can be walked, but churches do not as yet provide overnight stops for pilgrims.
North Herefordshire Diocese
Herefordshire Diocese North to South
Bridgenorth to Colwall
The Three Kingdoms Way (see below, end of page)
July 2023; Please go to https://www.abbeydoredeanery.org/gvpw/ and a short inspirational video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GvMnpMQe620&t=307s
Brief route description
This route has been planned and walked by Rev Simon Lockett and incorporates churches in the Abbey Dore Deanery and is based on the theme of holy water, places that early Christians (and pagans) thought were especially close to God. It takes about seven days and covers about 100 km, hills and valley. There are camp places and pubs en route and nine churches, including Hereford Cathedral, offer accommodation.
Get to the start point from Hereford Station. The pilgrimage is within the 'Golden Valley', which is Welsh/English Border country either side of the river Dore, this land was at one time occupied by a large Cistercian monastery in what was then the wilds of Wales, the church of which survives in the village of Abbey Dore.
There are pubs, shops and public camp spots, some are shown on the map below. This map is only a rough guide, please go to the link above for an up to date route. Take OS map No 161 to find them, paths and other information.
We are working on this route now: If you can help, or would like your church to join, please get in touch
Montgomery to Leominster; Maps 137, 148, 149, 138; circa 40 miles, bus from Welshpool.
Montgomery BUS
Church Stoke
Norbury
Clun
Lydbury North
Sibdon
Carwood
Stokesay
Onibury
Richards Castle
Ashford Bowdler
Ashford Carbonel
Orleton
Birmfield
Eye
Kimbolton
Eyton
Aymestry
Yarpole
Shobdon
Eardisland
Pembridge
Dilwyn
Stretford
Monkland
Leominster TRAIN
We are working on this route now: If you can help, or would like your church to join, please get in touch
The Herefordshire Diocese is a large one. It includes South Shropshire, part of Montgomeryshire, Radnorshire, Worcestershire, and small parts of Monmouthshire and Gloucestershire. The reason it is so large are historic, deriving from early Christian ministery and Anglo Saxon kingdoms.
This walk covers the whole distance of the Diocese N to S, it is 70 miles ++, and encompasses Welsh Border country.
Shrewsbury to Monmouth: Maps 126, 137, 138, 149, 162
Shrewsbury TRAIN
Ford
Cordeston
Yockleton
Londen
Asterley
Condover
Stapletonb
Dorrinton
Church Pulverbatch
Acton Burnell
Frodesley
Shelve
Norbury
Ceebotwood
Cardinton
Leebotwood
Rushbury
Hope Bowdler
Eaton
Munslow
Tugford
Diddlebury
Cluminton
Stanton Lacy
Bromfield
Ludlow
Pillocksgreen
Wistanstow
Sibdon Carwood
Bishops Castle
Lydury North
Stokesay
Onibury
Clun
Bedstone
Bucknell
Leintwardine
Wigmore
Cophall
Burrinton
Yarpole
Croft
Eye
Kimbolton
Pubdleston
Docklow
Grendon Bishop
Humber
Pencombe
Ullngswick
Bromyard
Stanford Bishop
Bishops Frome
Ullinswick
Felton
Ockle Pychard
Much Cowarne
Stretton Grandison
Yarkhill
Withington
Weston Beard
Checkley
Woolhope
Sollers Hope
How Caple
Foy
Kings Caple
Brampton Abbots
Sellack
Hentland
Peterstow
Ross BUS
St Weonards
Llangarron
Welsh Newton
Ganarew
Monmouth BUS
We are working on this route now: If you can help, or would like your church to join, please get in touch
circa 70 miles; one week
Glazeley
Chelmarsh
Sidbury
Alveley
Higley
Stottesdon
Kinlet Hall
Cledbory Mortimer
Milson
Neen Sollars
Bayton
Nash
Kington on Teme
Boraston Dale
Tenbury Wells
Laysters
Bockleton
Stoke Bliss
Wolferlow
Harpley
Clifton on Teme
Edwyn Ralph
Edvin Loach
Bredenbury
Grendon Bishop
Bromyard
Avenbury
Bishops Frome
Evesbatch
Bosbury Woolhope, Hereford
Coddington
Colwall TRAIN
The Three Kingdoms Pilgrimage Walk
June 2 2024; I plan to do this walk in one month's time, beginning July 1st 2024. As yet there are no overnight church stops, though St Briavels Youth Hostel and other B and Bs can be found en route.