St James' Way Camino Pilgrimage (Two Days)

First two days walk from Reading on the St James’ Way, part of the renowned pilgrimage route, the Camino de Santiago.      

Type of Walk
Sociable walk - make new friends while walking

More detail
While the St James’ Way is rooted in the history of Christianity, this walk is open to and walked by walkers of every belief or no faith, ethnicity, age and gender and is a lovely walk regardless of your motivations for undertaking it. 

The walk will stop at places of Christian worship along the way as they would have been part of the medieval pilgrimage route and are, today, places of religious, historical and architectural interest where you can also get your pilgrim passport stamped.  There will be a blessing at the start of the walk for those who would like to receive it.

Day 1 - 08:30 start. The day starts at St James Church, its official starting point, with a visit to St James Shrine and a first stamp for your pilgrim passport. After visiting the nearby Reading Abbey ruins, the route follows the river Kennet and canal for 8 miles to St Mary's Church at Sulhamstead Abbots, before heading to Mortimer.  Lunch will be at The Cunning Man pub.  Optional end-of-day pub drink at the Horse & Groom pub in Mortimer with a final stamp for this first day to Santiago.

Day 2 - 09:30 start. Picking up from the first day, the second day's pilgrim walk is from Mortimer to Pamber End.  Shortly after Mortimer, the route reaches St Mary's Church, Silchester and the Roman City.  It then heads to the medieval church of St James at Bramley, through Little London to Pamber Priory (a former residence of a queen), where it finishes.  Lunch will be at Bramley.  Optional end-of-day pub drink at The Queens College Arms at Pamber End with a final stamp for this second day.  Or continue on a fast-track 4 miles to complete day 2 at St Thomas of Canterbury church in Worting, Basingstoke.

There will be an opportunity for people to buy a Pilgrim Passport, Scallop Shell, St James' Way Pilgrim Guidebook and A-Z St James' Way Map  for those interested in continuing and/or completing the St James' Way.  


Worn-in walking shoes are essential.  Also, wear suitable walking clothes for the weather on the day e.g. poncho, over trouser, water/wind-proof top or sun cream, sun glasses and hat.  Bring at least one bottled drink.  You can also bring a packed lunch and snacks.  However, there should be sufficient time to order lunch, drinks and snacks at the venues we stop at en route.    
There will be lots of stops and breaks for lunch/end of day refreshments at churches, pubs and cafes along the route.    
Yes, at the start and end, and also at pubs and churches en route.    

Walk length / difficulty / accessibility
32 km (total) / 20 miles / 2 full days / hard / not wheelchair accessible

Day 1 - 18.4 km / 11.5 miles, / 9 hours.  
Day 2 - 13.2 km / 8.25 miles /  8.5 hours
These times include stops at churches & pubs.   

Ticket price
£3

About the walk leader
David is the development lead of the St James' Way Camino for the Confraternity of St James UK.  He has walked several Caminos and has self-published a book, 'Not Just a Long Walk' on Amazon about his experiences in 2019 on the Camino Frances.  He is a person of Christian faith.
       
Getting there
Start Day 1 - St James Church, Forbury Road, Reading RG1 3FD https://what3words.com/pure.tanks.successes 
Finish Day 1/Start Day 2 - St. John the Evangelist Church, The Street, Mortimer RG7 3SY
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Finish Day 2 - The Queens College Arms, Aldermaston Road, Pamber End, Tadley RG26 5QR
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Day 1 - To start: Bus or train to central Reading, walk around Forbury Gardens to St James Church.   Return: Bus no. 2 or 2a from Mortimer back to central Reading. Day 2 - To start: Bus no. 2 or 2a from Blagrave Street, Reading to Mortimer.   Return: Bus no. 14 from Pamber End to Basingstoke Railway Station.  Train back to Reading Station.