Penrhys Pilgrimage Way

Penrhys Pilgrimage Way – 21 miles, 2 days

‍

‍Penrhys in the Rhondda has been a focal point for pilgrimage over many centuries. Today, you can walk the Penrhys Pilgrimage Way from Llandaff Cathedral in Cardiff and discover a route rich in history as you travel through the ever-changing landscapes of South Wales.

Pilgrimage grew in popularity in Wales in the fifth and six centuries, with the emergence of well-known native saints such as St David and St Teilo. With the arrival of the Normans in Wales at the end of the eleventh century, sites associated with many of these saints were developed into major pilgrimage centres, some of which claimed international fame. In south east Wales, the most important pilgrimage site at that time was the shrine of St Teilo in Llandaff Cathedral, though there were several holy well and relics which attracted pilgrims.

By the fifteenth century, the most popular pilgrimage site in the area was the statue of the Virgin and Child, and nearby holy well, at Penrhys in the Rhondda. It was controlled by the Cistercian Abbey of Llantarnam, who profited from the offerings made by pilgrims. Penrhys was popular with people in South Wales and across the River Severn. They came to seek healing and give thanks, and several Welsh poets composed works praising the Virgin and her holy site at Penrhys.

The Virgin Mary was always a popular figure for pilgrims, but by the fifteenth century sites dedicated to Mary were among some of the most popular in Wales: at Pwllheli on the Llyn Peninsula, Cardigan Priory in Cardiganshire, and Kidwelly Priory in Carmarthenshire, pilgrims all worshipped at statues of Mary.

But the site at Penrhys was the most famous of them all. In 1538, so alarmed were the reforming authorities by the popularity of Penrhys, under Thomas Cromwell’s orders the statue of Mary was secretly removed and taken to London. Our Lady of Penrhys was burned to ashes alongside Our Lady of Walsingham and Our Lady of Ipswich.

Although the practice of pilgrimage dwindled after the Reformation, the footpaths between Cardiff and Penrhys survived, as did the holy well. In 1953, the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cardiff installed a new statue of Mary, carved from Portland stone, on the site of the Cistercian chapel.

The route follows public rights of way for 21 miles from Llandaff Cathedral in Cardiff to Penrhys in the Rhondda. It is divided into six parts and can be accessed by public transport at several points. It can be walked in sections or, with an overnight stop in Llantrisant, over two days. The route passes through or near many places of interest – and don’t forget to print a passport and collect all eleven specially-designed stamps along the way!

Visit the official website for the Penrhys Pilgrimage Way.