Green King Pilgrimage to St George's, Windsor Chapel
This beautiful day route, 6 miles long from Ankerwycke & Runnymede to St George's Chapel, Windsor, centres around St George as the Green Man, the Magna Carta and our King (NB the cover photo of this event is taken from the Coronation Invitation of 6th May, the international day of St George).
Led by the British Pilgrimage Trust's (BPT's) Guy Hayward, there will be dialogue between folklore and religion – think Green Man and the Dragon, St George, King John, our late Queen's burial place and our King's potential, and a discussion of how you can be sovereign over yourself.
You will meet the 2500 yr-old Ankerwycke Yew, St Mary's Priory, Runnymede, site of the signing of the Magna Carta, Windsor Great Park, Copper Horse Status, the Long Walk and St George's Chapel, where you will hear choral evensong sung by the royal choir.
We hope to engage the green force within you.
Qualities of the Day
- Telling many folkloric tales that mesh ancient Pagan and Christian stories
- New ways of meeting holy places
- Pilgrim songs on the path
- Opportunities for silence
- Rediscovering your place in the British pilgrimage tradition
- Natural beauty
- Elemental power.
This is a 'Bring Your Own Beliefs' pilgrimage.
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What to bring Packed lunch; appropriate clothes and shoes; Waterproofs or Umbrella; Waterbottle.
Travel
Getting there in the morning:
For those who want to meet at the yew tree, please make your way to Ankerwycke Yew National Trust Car Park (free, but only 3-4 spaces) or the car park at St Andrew's Church, Wraysbury (a 10-min walk away via public footpath), to arrive at the yew tree from 10am (searchable on Google Maps). We will start a ceremony at 10.30am, and we will then drive from there to Runnymede NT Car Park for just before midday. (Those arriving not by car, we will maybe have to share cars together with people who are prepared to give you a lift. Ubers do work in the area if all else fails.) For those who'd like a later start, please arrive for 11.45am at Runnymede NT Car Park (£1.50/hr and free for NT members).Egham train station is near(ish) Runnymede Car Park. Wraysbury near(ish) Ankerwycke Yew Car Park.
Getting back from Windsor to Runnymede Car Park:
Runnymede NT Riverside Car Park closes at 7pm. Taxis: There are of course taxis near the Castle as an alternative, and sharing will be possible to reduce cost on this 12-min taxi, 3.5 mile journey. Public Bus: There is a No 8 bus which leaves from the Parish Church (Stop J) near Windsor Castle at 6.18pm and gets to the Bells of Ouzeley stop at 6.32pm, 12 minutes' walk from the car park where you started at the beginning of the day.
Who can come? Anyone over 18 (or under 18 with parental guidance, bearing in mind the walking distance).
Is this religious? All and no-faiths are equally welcome. We operate a “Bring Your Own Beliefs” policy. We ask that all participating pilgrims tolerate one another, whatever their beliefs.
Will I be asked to share my feelings with the group? We like to keep things light and breezy, so there will be no group emotional sharing moments. If you want to share your feelings in personal conversation when walking with others that is up to you, but certainly not compulsory.
Are there fitness limitations? Pilgrimage is moderately intense. If you struggle to walk all day, this type of pilgrimage may be an unsuitable activity for you right now. There are always plenty of escape points en route. But we will walk slowly, and start early, and 6 miles is a manageable distance for the majority of people, although it is not nothing. Unfortunately this pilgrimage is not suited for mobility-impaired people or those requiring wheelchair access.
Can I bring my dog? Sadly not - we can’t accommodate dogs on our guided pilgrimages. However, if you have a registered assistance dog, they are welcome.
What does my money go towards? The British Pilgrimage Trust is a charity, and profits raised from this limited space event will enable our team to make it possible for everyone, of all means, to make pilgrimage themselves. We will also distribute some of the ticket price to local organisations from whom we have benefitted along the path. For more details about our charitable activities, please check here.
We hope to see you on the path.
If you would like to make a donation in addition to, or in place of, a ticket to support our work, click here.
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Date and time
About this event
Windsor Rd, Englefield Green, Staines SL4 2JN