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About the British Pilgrimage Trust
We advance British pilgrimage as a form of cultural heritage that promotes holistic wellbeing, accessible to all
‘Holistic wellbeing’ includes physical, mental, emotional, social, community, environmental and spiritual health, and we aim to make these benefits accessible to wide new audiences.
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We are a registered charity formed in 2014 that aims to promote pilgrimage in Britain by helping to develop and publicise new and old paths as well as the practice of pilgrimage itself by suggesting people say ‘bring your own beliefs’.
The British Pilgrimage Trust is dedicated to modernising the ancient practice of pilgrimage
We seek to connect people of all faiths and none to Britain’s rich cultural heritage and natural beauty.
From cathedrals and ancient trees to river sources, holy wells and standing stones, we invite everyone to embark on a personal journey that promotes holistic well-being through walking in the footsteps of our land's ancestors.
Pilgrimage heals our mind, body and soul and connects us to places, communities, history and landscapes, enriching our lives through the feelings they evoke.
We believe in making pilgrimages inclusive, allowing people to bring their own beliefs and make their journey for purely personal reasons.
Since our charity* was founded in 2014, we have seen and heard how this ancient rite offers powerful solutions to modern life challenges by fostering personal growth and mental wellness through a deeper connection to nature and heritage.
Your support helps us continue our work.
*Registered Charity 1176045.
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We offer a unique network of hundreds of pilgrim routes and places of pilgrimage.
Our achievements so far in numbers
When we formed our charity in 2014, few people were talking about pilgrimage in Britain.
By guiding pilgrimages and building Britain's most comprehensive collection of routes and places, we have seen and heard how this ancient practice offers powerful solutions to challenges in modern life.
We have created a free and comprehensive collection of more than 250 routes and places in Britain, with free digital maps and GPS resources.
We have established over fifty low-cost overnight Sanctuaries in a network of communities along routes
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Our guided events all over Britain have introduced more than thousands of people to pilgrimage. We have partnered to make pilgrimage accessible to under-served communities.
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Meet the team behind your journeys
Dr. Guy Hayward
Director & Co-Founder
Guy co-founded this charity in 2014 to promote the practice of 'bring your own beliefs' pilgrimage in Britain, has been leading guided pilgrimages with song and mythology since 2016, and co-authored the book 'Britain’s Pilgrim Places'. Hayward has been interviewed about modern pilgrimage for TV, Netflix, Radio 4 and he writes for the national media. Hayward completed a Music Psychology PhD at Cambridge on how singing forms community. He co-founded the Choral Evensong Trust with Rupert Sheldrake to promote Britain's sacred choral tradition, and is half of comedy singing double act Bounder & Cad.
Dawn Champion
Head of Community Engagement
Dawn Champion is a historian, naturalist and pilgrim whose rural upbringing has given her a deep love of the land. After a career with English Heritage and the Wildlife Trusts, she now works for the British Pilgrimage Trust, reviving a culture of pilgrimage and helping more people discover the benefits of this ancient tradition with modern meaning. Dawn's voluntary work supports wildlife conservation and helping children to connect to the magic of nature.
Heather Elsley
Head of Finance and Fundraising
Heather joined the team after a thirty-five year career in the Civil Service. She is delighted to be able to combine her skills in Programme Management and Financial & Management Accounting with her deep love of walking, history and myths. She also volunteers for charities involved in Dementia research and support.
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