Oxford Four Gates to the Centre

Join Guy Hayward to start this 5-mile route at the Oxford Oratory and Pusey House to connect with the Oxford Martyrs and the beautiful Catholic aesthetic, then St Giles’ Church and the Martyrs Mark on Broad Street. Then, to enter the old city properly at the Northgate at St Michael’s Saxon Tower we will make a circumambulatory journey around the line of the old city boundary to the centre of Oxford (in the same way that you would do upon entering a Gothic cathedral).

Next we will heading up the tower of University Church to achieve a birds-eye panorama of the dreaming spires. Back down at street level, pilgrims head east via Queen’s Lane to the site of the old Eastgate at St Edmund Hall before connecting via Logic Lane south to Merton College and its grand yet peaceful chapel.

After Merton, pilgrims follow the River Thames as it clings to the Christ Church meadows to Folly Bridge, the site of the old city’s Southgate and the river crossing which inspired the name ‘Oxford’. Then it’s a little further along the river until reaching St Ebbe’s old bathing place on the approach to the Oxford Mound and the medieval Westgate now marked by St Peter’s College Chapel.

Having circumambulated the city round to its Westgate, we will walk the central axis to the centre, Carfax Tower, before the final few yards to the sacred centre of Chist Church Cathedral, housing the shrine of Frideswide, the female patron saint of Oxfordshire.

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This is a 'Bring your own Beliefs' pilgrimage, and will include: - New ways of meeting old pilgrim places (bring your own beliefs...) - Oxford songs on the path - Opportunities for silence and musical rapture - engaging history and mythology.

What to bring: Packed lunch; Appropriate clothes and shoes; Waterproofs or Umbrella; Waterbottle.

How do I get to the start? Oxford train station is 10 mins walk away. Car parks nearby.

FAQs

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.

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.

Can I come if I can't afford it? We offer a number of free or subsidised places to those in need, on a case-by-case basis, please contact info@britishpilgrimage.org.

If I'm a school teacher, can I come for free? Yes, we offer free places to teachers, particularly if they are interested in introducing pilgrimage to their students.

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.

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, click here.
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