LONDON TO ST. ALBANS PILGRIMAGE WALK - 36 MILES

ABOUT THE WALK & MY STORY -

There were five major pilgrimages from London in medieval times - to Waltham Abbey, Canterbury, Oxford, St. Albans and Walsingham. All were undertaken by both the Kings and Queens of England and lay folk. Even Henry 8th. who later decimated the monastic life in England, made several pilgrimages. Basically, St. Albans was a days journey and a “short haul” pilgrimage. The route followed the Roman Road - Watling Street - today’s A5. I considered following the road but soon realised that to most people it would be uninteresting and lacking in spiritual feelings. Fortunately, lying within a mile or so of the AS are some of North London’s finest churches. Using them as a basis of the pilgrimage I linked them together giving a mixture of faiths at the same time; you will actually pass more than thirty church's, chapels and other places of worship.

Traditionally, pilgrims set off from Westminster Abbey, and you do so,
and head north-westerly, passing many key places of historic London - The Houses of Parliament, Buckingham Palace, Green Park, Piccadilly, Grosvenor Square, Oxford Street, Regent’s Park, Regent’s Canal, and onto Hampstead and its exceptional church. Now away from central London you pass more fine churches to Stanmore in Middlesex, and its two churches. Here you leave the city’s environment and enter countrysideas you continue your journey to St. Albans.

You can do the walk in stages as London has an excellent transport
system. Infact there is so much to see in the first half, that although not many miles, you will be side tracked to see and appreciate many splendid buildings and historical features. A three day schedule would be appropriate. Also, St. Alban’s cathedral deserves a full exploration and attending a service around St. Alban’s shrine is the climax to the journey. Allowing time fo reflect on what you have seen and felt on the pilgrimage.

A pilgrimage gives you time to explore the churches and landscape, as well as yourself, as you see and wonder at the work of man and the divine. Set off with an open heart and mind and discover for yourself the beauty that surrounds you in a plethora of forms.

In March 2024 I re-walked the route and updated this guidebook fully.

HOW TO DO IT

The whole walk is covered by the following maps -

- O.S. 1:25,000 Explorer Series No. 173 - London North

- O.S..1:25,000 Explorer Series No. 182 - St. Albans & Hatfield

- For the London area, the London A-Z Street Map book is a useful aid.

The walk is not one to be hurried for there is much to see on this
pilgrimage. I did it over three "easy” days, breaking the route into three distinct parts -

Day One - Westminster Abbey to Hampstead - 9 miles.

Although the mileage is short there is so much to see and visit that a full six or more hours is needed to do everything justice. By the end you will have reached “church overload”!

Day Two - Hampstead to Aldenham Reservoir (Elstree) - 15 miles.

The longest day’s mileage but about six hours of walking. There are still many places to see and visit but they are wider apart and you have time to catch your breath before the next inspiring church or feature.

Day Three - Aldenham Reservoir to St. Albans - 13 miles.

Now free of London the walk is entirely in the countryside with sheep in the fieecs! You have time to contemplate your pilgrimage and the
experience. You reach some fascinating church’s and places, while at
the same time walking quietly and softly in the countryside seeing
nature, before ascending to the magnificence of St. Albans cathedral.
Here, apart from exploring the wonders of the building seeing St
Alban’s shrine and St. Amphibalus, a service here simply cements the
pilgrimage.

St. Albans is a historical Roman town and a wander around afterwards completes the day and pilgrimage. Perhaps a stay overnight here and attend a service the next day before returning home, refreshed, invigorated and humbled?

Embroidered pligrim badge and signed certificate available from John Merrill.

All walkers added to mu Walkers Roll of Honour page.