St Mary’s is an historic church which is the starting point for a nationally-recognised Pilgrims Way which runs from Limpley Stoke to Wilton, near Salisbury. It is 36 miles (or so!) in total.
St Mary’s was first dedicated to St Edith in the Saxon era and remained so for 500 years until it was renamed during the Reformation. A church toward the end of the pilgrimage at Baverstock is also dedicated to St Edith. A Saxon arch still remains inside St Mary’s church and early pilgrim crosses are scratched into its stonework.
The pilgrimage ends at Wilton House, the location where St Edith spent most of her short life in a Saxon nunnery. Pilgrims from the Saxon era would no doubt have made a pilgrimage to Wilton. Traces of the nunnery are still visible in the grounds of Wilton House during dry summers and this makes an excellent location to sit and reflect at the end of the walk.
Winding through the Cotswolds National Landscape and Cranborne Chase, much of the route is in areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty alongside the rivers Frome and Wylye. Historic churches, villages and towns, are encountered all along the way. The route is nearly all via public footpaths.
If you’d like to plan your Pilgrimage, below are some printable sheets which cover the whole route to help you prepare, and you can also use these on the walk itself.
As bus and train services are subject to change, please make sure that you check via the internet on https://www.traveline.info for up-to-date bus services and onward train links for your journey.
The St Edith Pilgrimage Wristband
Those who have walked the whole pilgrimage have been granted free access to the grounds by the current Earl of Pembroke if they are wearing the pilgrimage wristband. This wristband is to be only purchased at St Mary’s Church, Limpley Stoke, on the day you set out. They are sold in a blue envelope which also includes an explanation of the colours and components and how you assemble.
Your payment for the price of the wristband, marked on the envelope, should be put in the collection box set in the wall. It is only for purchase by pilgrims and we ask that this purchase is made only on the start day of your walk. You will refunded upon showing your wristband at entry and it will be marked to record entry and completion of your walk.
Information Sheet 1 – Introduction
Information Sheet 2 – Planning your walk