Two Saints Way
A mediaeval pilgrimage route between Chester and Lichfield
Follow in the footsteps of Pilgrims who, in the Middle Ages, travelled the 92-mile route between the cathedral cities of Chester and Lichfield. Some of those pilgrims would have been Irish since Chester was the main port for those in the northern half of the island, so the favoured route to Canterbury, or even to Rome or Jerusalem, would have included visiting the shrines of St Werburgh at Chester, St Wulfad in Stone and St Chad here in Lichfield.
Mediaeval pilgrims set off in search of healing, forgiveness or courage to face life's difficulties and some were looking for adventure. These days people take pilgrimage walks for many reasons; a break from the demands of everyday life, with time to think and reflect. Some people are motivated by faith and others walk to practice mindfulness. Whatever the motivation, all walkers of the anyone can benefit from the experience of pilgrimage - a route through countryside, towns and the cathedral cities of Chesthire and Staffordshire along route.
Learn more about this mediaeval route of Pilgrimage: https://www.twosaintsway.co.uk
A guidebook is available to purchase from The Cathedral Shop, which details the routes from each direction, sections of OS maps and some interesting facts along the way.
2020 brings together a remarkable number of individual English cathedral anniversaries and initiatives that help tell Britain’s story - past and present - and offer a creative and positive way to look to the future. Many of our cathedrals are already planning major celebrations – from Canterbury with its Becket anniversary to Coventry with the anniversary of the bombing of its old cathedral. There will be new visitor centres opened, redevelopment projects started, and special art and light shows. And, thanks to an initiative between the Association of English Cathedrals and the British Pilgrimage Trust, there will be one day pilgrimage routes to every Church of England cathedral highlighting the importance of spiritual, mental and physical well-being. That's why 2020 is Year of Cathedrals, Year of Pilgrimage.