Christians complete 120-mile Holy Week pilgrimage to Walsingham

A large cross is carried by walkers on the pilgrimage to Walsingham

Hundreds of Christians celebrated Easter together after walking up to 120 miles to an ancient site of pilgrimage.

Some took seven days to reach the village of Walsingham in Norfolk, regarded as one of the holiest places in England.

Pilgrims walked 12 different routes, setting off from locations including Colchester, Epping Ely and Kettering, as well as from further afield.

One walker described it as a "truly lived experience of the gospel".

Juliet Brien, 60, who was a 19-year-old student when she first joined the pilgrimage, said she could not imagine spending Holy Week and Easter "any other way", and looked forward to recharging "my spiritual batteries in a very meaningful and lasting way".

Walsingham has been a place of pilgrimage since the Middle Ages

She said: "The first time I took part I was completely blown away by the sense of community we developed as we lived our faith on our journey in a very real way.

"We accept hospitality from hosts and parishes along our way... always looking forward to the culmination of our journey when we arrive in Walsingham on Good Friday."

During the walks, pilgrims stop at church halls and churches for food, drink and to sleep

Walsingham became known as England's Nazareth after a Saxon noblewomen said she had a vision of the Virgin Mary, who told her to build a replica of the house where Jesus was raised.

The event began in 1948 when about 30 male Catholic students and chaplains walked from London to Walsingham during Holy Week.

It continued to grow and is now known as Pilgrim Cross. This year about 280 Christians took part.

Pilgrims say they are hoping to deepen their faith and find fellowship with other Christians

Seb Theodossiadis, Pilgrim Cross national director, said: "We welcome pilgrims from all Christian traditions, ages and genders, but we are not going to close our doors to anyone who has an open mind and open heart."

Pilgrim Cross even has a virtual route, called the X-Leg, for people who want to take part but are unable to join one of the walks.