Worth watching out for.
 — John Cleare

London to Walsingham Camino

by: Andy Bull

UPDATES

Updates were made to the downloadable walking instructions, gpx and kml  files as follows. The files you download will be these latest. 

At the bottom of the page also note the information newly created London to Walsingham Cycle Pilgrimage route.

 

Stage 1 Magnus Martyr to Waltham Abbey – May 2023

In St Katharine Docks, the route passes over a footbridge between two dock basins. It is sometimes closed temporarily. If it is, notes on GPX and Tabulated Directions tell you what alternative route to take.

 

Stage 2 Waltham Abbey to Ware – May 2023

The Old Mill Retreat Cafe, at Broxbourne, makes a better option for lunch. Adjusting the route here cuts .4mile off the total walked on this stage.

 

Stage 3 Ware to Stanstead Mountfitchet – May 2023

Just after the church of St Andrew and Holy Cross in Much Hadham, a footbridge is out, requiring a diversion. Its replacement is said to be imminent, but for now you will need to follow the alternative shown on GPX, KML and in tabulated directions. This adds about .3 of a mile to the route.

 

Stage 6: Withersfield to Stansfield – May 2023

There is a more direct route on the approach to Hundon, which cuts .5 of a mile off the route

 

Stage 7: Stansfield to Bury St Edmunds – May 2023

The Plough Inn in Rede is currently closed, so you may prefer to continue straight on along Rede Rd past the turn to this village. I have not adjusted the GPX and KML maps as locals believe the pub will open again soon, but best check (contact details in the book) before going there.

 

Stage 8: Bury St Edmunds to Thetford – May 2023

I have made a substantial adjustment to the route north of Culford, cutting out the village of Barnham and avoiding any walking along the A134, where verge-side hedges have been left to grow to the extent that you can no longer walk along the grass on some stretches.

The revised route is on forest tracks. Missing out Barham is a shame. If the highway people clear the verge, I will reinstate the original route. This adjustment adds about .5 of a mile to the route

 

Stage 10 – May 2023

The route has been amended at the 7.8mile point to avoid verge-walking along a stretch of busy road. You now loop east through Ickburgh village and then into forest, rejoining the original route at the 9.6mile point. It adds .4 of a mile to the route, but makes for a much more pleasant walk.

 

Stage 11 – May 2023

Two minor adjustments to take footpaths alongside lanes, not impact on distance walked

 

Stage 12 – May 2023

Newton Mill: At Newton Mill, at the 1.2mile point, a temporary diversion is in place, taking the Nar Valley Way further down the lane before turning left to shadow the original route, rejoining it at the 1.9mile point.

Colkirk: at the 13 mile point there is an amended route through the village of Colkirk, followed by a new route to Hempton Green, on the outskirts of Fakenham, rejoining the original route at the 15.5mile point.

 

London to Walsingham Cycle Pilgrimage route

This route is by David Munchin, to whom we extend grateful thanks. It takes in most but not all of the pilgrim points along the walking route. You will need to compare it to the walking route in the book to ensure you don’t miss out on any you particularly want to visit.

London to Walsingham Camino – Cycling Pilgrims notes

These notes are designed to be read in conjunction with the written walking guide ISBN 978-1-912716-31-9 and with the GPX file detailing the cycling route, which can be found at https://www.komoot.com/tour/1042931355?ref=wtd-m 

The route passes through every start and finish point of the walking route’s 13 stages, and where possible follows National Cycle Routes – though the way-marking for the latter should not be relied upon. The total distance is 172 miles. 

Some sections of the ride are off road – a gravel / adventure bike would be ideal, though a hybrid or cross country mountain bike would also be suitable. Conditions of these off road sections may vary with the seasons. 

Please note that bicycles are not permitted on Overground rail or Underground routes into London during peak hours, and at no time on London Buses. 

Cycle shops on route:

London to Walsingham Camino