Practical guidebooks for the more adventurous traveller.
— The Herald
London to Walsingham Camino
by: Andy Bull
UPDATES
UPDATES – 2026 Summer
Please note that the following information is to update sections in the book that have changed since its publication and it is important to read this in conjunction with the book.
Andy re-walked the full route in 2025/6 in order to update the information. Follow the links in the printed guidebook to download amended walking instructions, gpx and kml files. The files you download will be the latest versions.
There are now 40 pilgrim stamps along the way, 20 of them donated since the guidebook was published, all additional stamps are itemised below.
Some adjustments to the path have been made, which are itemised below. Many more churches have pilgrim stamps, and are open, and there are more accommodation options, including the first Sanctuary pilgrim accommodation, Champing (church camping) and village community offering bed and breakfast in aid of their church funds.
Many thanks to all the pilgrims who gave their feedback and offered their suggestions – your input has been invaluable! If you come across further things that need updating, please contact us via info@trailblazer-guides.com
Some updates to facilities along the path have also been necessary. These are itemised below. Please read these in conjunction with the guidebook. Only alterations are mentioned on this page, all other information in the guidebook stands.
At the bottom of this page you will find information on the London to Walsingham Cycle Pilgrimage route.
If you are using the gpx files, we strongly recommend you load them into the OS (Ordnance Survey) app. While the file will generally work well in other readers, such as Komoot, one or two pilgrims have reported that the route is occasionally not rendered with 100 per cent accuracy, which can cause you to stray from the path.
Stage 1: Magnus Martyr to Waltham Abbey
St Katharine Docks (1 mile)
In St Katharine Docks, the route passes over a footbridge between two dock basins. It is sometimes closed temporarily. If it is, notes on the gpx map and on the Tabulated Directions tell you what alternative route to take.
King Edward Memorial Park (2.3 miles)
Major construction work means that the path through the park is likely to be closed. The route is amended at this point to take you up to The Highway (A1203) for the approach to the Royal Foundation of St Katharine.
Stage 2: Waltham Abbey to Ware
The path after Gt Amwell (at the 11.4mile point) has been adjusted to take a more direct route on the final leg to Ware, and cuts .75 of a mile, 1.2km from the route, making the new total 12.6miles/20.3km for this stage.
Waltham Abbey
The pilgrim stamp is not left out, but the very helpful volunteers on duty during open hours (see guidebook) will be happy to produce it for you.
Waltham Abbey Tourist Information Centre
If the abbey is closed, there is an alternative stamp at the tourist information centre, which is open April to September. It is in the town hall, just across the road from the abbey at Highbridge St, EN9 1DE telephone 01992-660336
Broxbourne
The Old Mill Retreat Cafe, at Broxbourne, makes another option for lunch. https://cafesinthepark.com/old-mill-retreat. Toilets nearby.
St Augustine’s church, Broxbourne, now has a pilgrim stamp. The church is usually open between 9.30am-1pm on Mon-Wed and Fri, and Sunday 10.30am until around 12.30pm. On 2nd and 4th Sundays the church opens for an 8am service. Parish office: bwparishoffice@btinternet.com The church has a loo.
Gt Amwell
St John the Baptist, Gt Amwell. You will need to arrange in advance to have the church opened for you. Contact the benefice administrator, Anna Bond, at admin@3churches.net Churchwardens are very friendly and welcoming.
Stage 3: Ware to Stansted Mountfitchet
The path has been adjusted at two points, the first (at the 2.7mile point) leaving out Wareside to give a more direct path. The second (at 15.2miles) adjusts the route to end the stage at St Mary’s church, Stansted Mountfitchet, where they now offer Champing (camping in church, see below for details). The gpx map and tabulated directions for the kml version give directions for continuing into Stansted Mountfitchet on the original route. The stage now runs to 15.9miles, 25.6km.
St Mary’s Ware
The church is now open 9am-5.30pm daily.
St John the Baptist, Widford
The church now has a pilgrim stamp
Much Hadham
The Bull has now reopened after renovation. For opening hours, see https://www.bullmuchhadham.co.uk/eat-and-drink
Bus services
The timetable for buses between Hertford and Bishop’s Stortford, serving Ware, Widford and the half-way point of Much Hadham, has been amended and route numbers changed. The numbers are now 35 and 35c and there is no longer a Sunday service. The stop in Much Hadham is outside the former Red Lion. For details: www.intalink.org.uk
St Andrew’s and Holy Cross, Much Hadham
The pilgrim stamp is kept in a Tupperware box on the shelves to your left as you enter the church. There is also a notice headed ‘Pilgrims’ but that sometimes isn’t visible. The Tree of Life window mentioned in the guidebook is now generally kept behind a locked door. Contact the church in advance if you would like to see it (contact details in guidebook).
The path after St Andrew’s and Holy Cross
Just after the church, the footbridge was out for a couple of years but has now been replaced, and the original, direct route is now re-instated in the gpx and kml route maps.
Stansted Mountfitchet
The route maps are now extended to take the path from Stansted Mountfitchet to St Mary’s church. The tabulated directions for this stage have been updated to give directions for both St Mary’s, and Stansted Mountfitchet village centre and railway station.
St Mary’s Stansted Mountfitchet
The church now has a pilgrim stamp.
Open for church camping (champing) from end of March to end of October. Full details of facilities and how to book are here: https://champing.co.uk/church/stansted-mountfitchet-essex-st-mary-the-virgin/
Stage 4: Stansted Mountfitchet to Saffron Walden
There are some important alternations to the route.
The stage now begins at St Mary’s on the outskirts of Stansted Mountfitchet (see above). If you are joining the route in Stansted Mountfitchet village centre, you can pick up the route there, at the .7mile/1.1km point.
From St Mary’s church in Newport the route now goes via Wendens Ambo (pub and church) and Audley End rail station. This brings a further charming church and village pub into the route, plus the additional rail link.
Several more churches on this stage now have pilgrim stamps (see below).
The tabulated directions have been updated, and gpx and kml maps amended.
The stage now runs to 14.4miles/23.2km, which is 330yds/300m longer than the original.
St John’s, Stansted Mountfitchet
The church now has a pilgrim stamp.
It is generally open during daylight hours, but it is worth checking before your visit as some pilgrims have found it closed. Contact the office, open Monday, Wednesday, Friday 10am-noon on 01279-815243 or at stansted.church.office@googlemail.com
Ugley
In addition to the rail services noted in the guidebook, there is also a station at Elsenham, .6 of a mile from Ugley Green, reached at 2.9miles from the start point at St Mary’s, Stansted Mountfitchet.
St Mary’s, Widdington
The new pilgrim stamp is a small green cylinder placed in a scallop shell on the table to your left as you enter the church.
Fleur de Lys
This lovely village pub has new opening hours. Currently they are
Tuesday: 5 pm – Late (Drinks only)
Wednesday: 5 pm – Late (Drinks only)
Thursday: 5 pm – Late (Quiz & Pizza Night)
Friday: 12 pm – Late (Full Menu)
Saturday: 12 pm – Late (Full Menu)
Sunday: 12 pm – 8 pm (Sunday Roasts)
It’s worth checking on their website, and booking a table www.fleurdelyspub.co.uk
Newport
St Mary's, Newport
The church now has a pilgrim stamp
The church has a new website: www.stmarynewport.org
Accommodation
The Toll House B&B has a new web address: https://www.the-toll-house.co.uk/ other contact details as in guidebook.
Camping
There is free camping in Newport for members of Welcome To My Garden https://welcometomygarden.org/(joining fees begin at €36). Search ‘Newport, Essex’ for details.
Wendens Ambo
New to the route: here are the facilities
The Bell 01799-540382 https://thebellatwenden.co.uk/ Royston Rd, CB11 4JY,
Opening hours:
Monday to Thursday 12.00pm - 9.00pm
Tuesday (Kitchen closed) pub open from 3.00pm
Friday to Sunday 12.00pm - Till late
St Mary’s
Church Path, Wendens Ambo, CB11 4JZ
The church now has a pilgrim stamp
https://www.wendenheritage.org.uk/
Currently, they say ‘the church is open at weekends for visitors from 10am to 3pm while contractors are working in the church.’
It is normally open daylight hours (Sun 9am-late afternoon) Services Sun 9am.
It’s worth checking the website to see if these hours have been reinstated.
Audley End Station
Station Rd, Wendens Ambo, CB11 4LB
https://www.greateranglia.co.uk/travel-information/station-information/aud
The No 34 bus runs from station to town. https://stephensonsofessex.com/wp-content/uploads/bsk-pdf-manager/2019/03/34-Saffron-Walden.pdf
Stage 5: Saffron Walden to Withersfield
There are a couple of very minor alternations to the route, caused by landowners redirecting footpaths for short stretches. These add very marginally to the distance walked, which now totals 13.9miles/22.5km.
Withersfield
The White Horse Inn. Check the website for current opening hours https://www.withersfieldwhitehorse.co.uk/accommodation
Haverhill
Accommodation
The correct web address for Rosebarne is www.rosebarne.weebly.com
A further option for accommodation is the Rose and Crown https://roseandcrownhotel.co.uk/
Stage 6: Withersfield to Stansfield
Hundon
All Saints
The church is now open 10am-4pm daily. There is a very welcome Pilgrim Box, a green-topped, Tupperware-style container on the table ahead of you on your right as you enter the church. In it, along with the pilgrim stamp, is a selection of snacks, plasters and tissues.
Hundon shop and post office
The shop hours have been extended. It is now open Mon-Sat 8am-1pm, Sun 10am-noon. Post office Mon-Sat 9am-1pm. North St, CO10 8EE.
The Rose and Crown
Amended opening hours are now noon to midnight, seven days a week. Check their Facebook page for current food hours https://www.facebook.com/RoseandCrownH/
Laurel Bank B&B
Closed until 2027
Stansfield All Saints
Now has a pilgrim stamp. The church is kept locked. Contact the churchwarden, Hugh Douglas-Pennant on 01284-89412 or 07836-6006072 to arrange access.
Stansfield Compasses
This pub – home to the Old Goat Brewery – has opened and closed a couple of times but as of February 2026 it is open at Fri 4pm-10pm, Sat 3pm-10pm, Sun 3pm-7pm 01284-789009https://www.oldgoatbeer.com/ High St, Stansfield CO10 8LN Open
Stage 7: Stansfield to Bury St Edmunds
A blocked footpath on farmland to the north of Hawkedon means the route has had to be adjusted.
Hawkedon
There is a further accommodation option here, at the Old Forge Annex, if you are prepared to book for two nights. Given that Laurel Bank B&B is closed for this year, you might consider basing yourself in Hawkedon for two nights and, where necessary, using the public transport options in the guidebook for getting to and from your start points.
Old Forge Annex is on AirB&B here: https://www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/34282496?viralityEntryPoint=1&s=76
The Queen’s Head, Hawkedon, still offers two apartments as detailed in the guidebook.
Rede
There is now pilgrim accommodation offered in the village. Contact Jackie Pratten 07980-526881, 01284-850078, jackiepratten@icloud.com One single, one double, rooms share bathroom, £70 per night for the double, £40 for the single. All proceeds donated to Rede church. There is now a pilgrim stamp in the church.
Whepstead
St Petronilla’s church now has a pilgrim stamp.
There is now accommodation in a shepherd’s hut, offered on Airbnb.
https://www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/45074143?source_impression_id=p3_1742403701_P3nQ7sUjA4p6dkiZPilgrims report it is ‘very nice’.
Stage 8: Bury St Edmunds to Thetford 16.8miles/27km
The experimental adjustment to the route north of Culford, cutting out the village of Barnham, has been made permanent. Feedback from pilgrims was that the two miles of verge-walking along the A134 could be dangerous, particularly in bad weather, so the revised route along forest tracks will remain in place.
Rest day in Bury St Edmunds
St Mary’s
This church does not feature in the guidebook, which was an oversight. It holds the tomb of Henry VIII’s sister, Mary, who was married to the king of France. Here are the details: stmaryschurchbse.org, Honey Hill IP33 1RT; open Mon-Tue 10.30am-3pm, Wed 9.45am-3pm, Thu-Sat 1030am-3pm, Sun 9am-noon, services Sun 9.15am, 11am, 4pm, Wed 10am. The church now has a pilgrim stamp.
St John’s
The church now has a pilgrim stamp
Stage 9 Thetford to Brandon
The route has been altered between Santon Downham and Brandon to avoid a path alongside the River Little Ouse that becomes overgrown in summer, and is often flooded in winter.
The distance covered is now 10.2miles/16.4km, which is 550yds/500m shorter than the original.
The new section is through woodland, which gives a nice contrast to the first half of the stage, along the River Little Ouse.
Santon Downham
St Mary the Virgin, ‘the Church in the Forest’ (7.3miles) is now open during the day
For details https://www.achurchnearyou.com/church/2166/
Stage 10 Brandon to Gt Cressingham
There is a slight amendment to the route at the 8.9mile mark, where the path has been blocked and a new one created 20yds to the left of it. Details on kml and gpx maps, and in tabulated directions.
Two more churches on this stage now have pilgrim stamps. They are:
Ickburgh
St Peter’s church can be opened for pilgrims, call in advance if possible to be sure.
Church Wardens: Judy Gallop 07717682034 and Angelika Peters Dennis 07883077297
Hilborough
All Saints church is now open daily, 10am-dusk.
Stage 11 Gt Cressingham to Castle Acre
Great Cressingham:
St Peter’s church now has a pilgrim stamp. Church open daily Easter to end September, roughly 8am-6pm.
South Pickenham
All Saints’ has a new keyholder: 01760-756219
Houghton-on-the-Hill
St Mary’s open hours are now: winter, (first weekend in November to last weekend in March), Sat-Sun only, noon-2pm. Summer, (last weekend in March to last weekend in October,) daily 2pm-4pm. Other times may be possible by prior appointment. Contact details as in guidebook.
For pilgrims who visit when the church is locked, a second pilgrim stamp is now provided in a green plastic box fixed to the gate to the left of the church, in the car parking area.
Stage 12 Castle Acre to Fakenham
There are three adjustments to the route. The first, at Newton Mill (1.2miles) is because the obstruction on the Nar Valley Way has now been removed. The second, leaving Litcham (6miles) now follows a quieter lane and a footpath/farm track. The third, after Colkirk (14.2miles) gives a quieter approach to Fakenham along a byway. These adjustments add half a mile to the route but greatly improve the walking experience. The new total is 16.4miles/26.4km.
Litcham
All Saints’ now has a pilgrim stamp
Litcham deli is now closed.
Whissonsett
St Mary’s now has a pilgrim stamp, and a loo.
Pilgrim accommodation is available in the church hall, via the Sanctuary scheme run by the British Pilgrimage Trust https://www.britishpilgrimage.org/sanctuary-network
Stage 13 Fakenham to Walsingham
Fakenham
St Peter and St Paul now has a pilgrim stamp
A pale yellow rope at the 3.9mile point now marks the footpath leading off Fakenham Rd towards Walsingham
Stage 14 New Bonus Stage Walsingham to Wells-Next-The-Sea (6.1miles/9.8km)
This additional section, taking the path to the coast, does not feature in the current edition of the guidebook, but will be added in future ones.
Wighton
Carpenter’s Arms food, drink.
Camping for free for members of Welcome to my Garden Join for a fee (from €36) and search ‘Wighton’ for details.
Wells-next-the-Sea
The Globe Inn food, drink, accommodation, The Quay bed and breakfast
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 London to Walsingham Camino guidebook and with the gpx file detailing the cycling route, 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: Evans Cycles, 6 Tooley St, London SE1 2SY, 03439092103
Saffron Walden: Newdales, 7-8, Market Walk, Saffron Walden CB10 1JZ, 01799513980
Bury St Edmunds: Micks Cycle Centre, Town Centre, 68-69 St John’s St, Bury Saint Edmunds IP33 1SJ, 01284753946. Cycle King Bury 26 Angel Hill, Bury Saint Edmunds IP33 1UZ, 01284769902
Thetford: Halfords, Lime Kiln Ln, Thetford IP24 2BU
Fakenham: J R Francis 01328862336 72 Holt Road, Fakenham NR21 8DY https://www.rjfrancismotorcycles.co.uk/
Near to Walsingham is South Creake Cycle Centre: 5 The Bungalow the Common, South Creake, Fakenham NR21 9JA, 01328823036
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