New 100-mile Athelstan pilgrimage route to open

Tom Holland is opening the new route on Sunday

A 100-mile new walking and cycling route linking 36 churches across North Wiltshire is being officially opened on Sunday.

The Athelstan Pilgrim Way takes in some of the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the historic churches range from Bremilham, the smallest church in England to Malmesbury Abbey.

Historian and 'The Rest is History' podcaster Tom Holland, who is a patron of the project, will open the new walk with a speech.

The route takes its name from the first King of a united England, Athelstan, a Christian ruler who chose Malmesbury as his capital and was buried in Malmesbury Abbey after his death in 939AD.

Mr Holland, who published his biography ‘Athelstan’ in 2016, will deliver a speech about why the ruler deserves pilgrims at Malmesbury Abbey on Sunday.

He said: “It will be no secret to anyone who has listened to my podcast, The Rest Is History, that I championed Athelstan as the greatest of England’s monarchs…and I am also delighted to champion a walking route across his kingdom of Wessex that seeks to remind us of his Christian sensibility and the religious culture of his time.”

Proceeds from the talk will go towards the development and operation of the walk.

Sheona Beaumont, of the Athelstan Pilgrim Way project team, said: "Tom brings fantastic enthusiasm and insight to English history and its Christian heritage.

"We’re so excited he’s joining our pilgrimage of celebration - a celebration of churches, countryside, and faith.”

The route has been developed by the North Wiltshire Mission Area, a Church of England initiative in the Diocese of Bristol.

Malmesbury Abbey houses the empty tomb of King Athelstan

Following Mr Holland's talk on King Athelstan there will be an official opening of the new Athelstan Pilgrim Way, led by the Diocese of Bristol.

Initially the Athelstan Pilgrim Way will link 13 walks taking in 13 churches with more being linked in next year.

This summer also sees the Athelstan 1100 programme of events which celebrates the king's connection to Wiltshire.

Malmesbury Town Team chair, councillor Campbell Ritchie, leads the volunteers who are organizing the programme of events.

He said: “We’re thrilled that Tom is able to take time from his busy schedule to join us and celebrate not only the opening of the Athelstan Pilgrim Way but also the celebrations for Athelstan 1100."