ST. BIRINUS PILGRIMAGE WALK - 26 MILES = OXFORDSHIRE

About the walk and my story -

I was led by my inner voice to this pilgrimage and walk. I attended an Arts  course in Islington, London. As I walked to catch the underground home, I passed a bargain bookshop. I can’t resist a bookshop and in I went. Looking in the section, Mind, Body & Spirit, i saw a book on Sacred Places, which I had recently bought. Next to it was another book by the same author, Sacred Journeys, which I had never seen before. I had a quick look but as I couldn't find anything about the Mount Kailash pilgrimage in Tibet, sacred to Jain's,
Hindu’s, and Buddhist’s, I put it back. I am wanting to do that pilgrimage sometime.

For the next week my inner voice kept saying, “Get that book!” I kept seeing the book and mentally kicked myself for not buying it! I had to go back into central London a few days later on business, and resolved to go back to that shop and buy the book. At this stage I didn’t understand why I was being so compelled. Back in the shop the book was still on the shelf and I bought it. In the office a few hours later, I sat at the desk and unusually, looked at the book, from back to front, something I have never done before. There were
many stories and pictures of Sacred Journeys all over the world, in India, Europe and Africa. About half way through there were just two pages on England about a pilgrimage in Oxfordshire! I nearly fell off the chair. So near, and I had never heard of it! None of pilgrimage book reference library said anything about it. An annual 12 mile pilgrimage to St. Birinus shrine in Dorchester Abbey, from Churn Knob. That was why I was being motivated by my inner voice and angels to get the book!

I quickly looked on the internet and found more about it, discovering the annual pilgrimage had just taken place in early July. I wanted to walk it the coming weekend, but I was already committed to walk my St. Cedd’s Pilgrimage - see separate book, so I planned on the following Saturday. This would give me time to get the relevant Ordnance Survey map and basically plan the route, 12 miles is not long enough for me, I prefer a walk of 20 plus miles, it is not worth putting your boots on for less! I worked out a circular
walk taking in the whole of the pilgrimage route and avoiding complicated bus travel back to the start.

The following Saturday I was up at 6 am and drove to Wallingford and walking from there just after 8 am, in cloudy cool weather. My route took me through several villages to get to Churn Knob where St. Birinus gave his first sermon and where the annual pilgrimage starts. You have to walk there and back as the hill location is away from the village of Blewbury. I was there at 11 am  with great views over the rolling Chiltern landscape and to Didcot.. Then it was along the pilgrim route to several villages, churches and prehistoric sites, before the final hill, Castle Hill, and the view down to the River Thames and Dorchester Abbey. Half an hour later I was in the Abbey admiring St. Birinus shrine and marvelling at the huge church in the
small village of |,000 inhabitants.

After an hour it was time to head on back to Wallingford, via the River Thames, as the sun shone brilliantly. Slightly longer than some of my other day challenge walks and pilgrimages at 26 miles, but one of great character and interest. A wide spectrum of landscapes of large fields, thatched villages, Iron Age forts, burial mounds, extensive views, many churches, and the River Thames, all combine to make this a very varied and pleasant walk. The walk has it all with
a sprinkling of inns along the way. I was sad it was over as I drove back to London, for I knew I had experienced a great walk and pilgrimage to one of our earliest Christian missionaries to England. I plan to go back to Dorchester and spend a day there and attend a service in the Abbey. And next year I will do the 12 mile pilgrimage! Sounds fun and like a miniature pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostella, getting your “ Pilgrim’s Passport”, stamped at each
church along the way, as well as brief services and blessings.

Enjoy your pilgrimage and walk.

A5 Pilgrim guide placed in a warp around plastic cover and signed by John Merrill.

Embroidered pilgrim badge and signed certificate from John Merrill for successful walkers.

All walkers added to my Walkers Rollof Honour page.