St James' Way Camino Pilgrimage (Two Days)

Walk the first two days from Reading on the Camino de Santiago. Suitable for modern-day pilgrims who intend to continue along the St James’ Way to Southampton or Santiago, Spain or just a good long walk.

Type of walk
Sociable - make new friends while you are walking.

More detail
Become a modern-day pilgrim on the St James' Way by undertaking days 1 and 2 of the St James' Way - the Camino Ingles (English Way) walk to Santiago de Compostela, Spain.

Day 1 - The day starts at Reading's 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.  Return to Reading by bus. 
Day 2 - Picking up from the first day, the second day's pilgrim walk is from Mortimer to Pamber End. Bus no. 2 or 2a from Reading to Mortimer to start Day 2. 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 to Santiago. Return to Reading by bus/train.

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. 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. Toilets at the start and end, and also at pubs and churches en route. 

Walk length / difficulty / accessibility
Day 1 - 18.4 km / 9 hours; Day 2 - 13.2 km / 8.5 hours (these times include stops at churches & pubs) / Harder - longer walk / not wheelchair accessible / not family friendly 

Ticket price
£3

About the walk leader
David is the volunteer 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.