During our 2025 pilgrimage we started discussions on where to go in 2026, with pilgrims able to express a preference. After the pilgrimage, we fleshed out some of these ideas and took them to the AGM, where it was unanimously agreed that we should head north and make our way to Blackburn Cathedral, which next year is celebrating the centenary of its elevation to cathedral status. The question was then where to start the pilgrimage, a decision that was made by a democratic vote of those attending the AGM over last weekend, with the final choice getting as many votes as the other 2 combined.
And so, our 2025 Pilgrimage will start at the Roman Catholic Saint Mary’s Cathedral, Middlesbrough (a modern cathedral, built in 1985), pass by the ancient Ripon Cathedral (dating back to the 7th Century), and end at Blackburn Cathedral (a relatively new building on an ancient site).
The full proposed route, subject to finding appropriate accommodation, is as follows: Middlesbrough – Yarm – Croft-on-Tees – Richmond – Bedale – Ripon – Pateley Bridge – Grassington – Skipton – Barnoldswick – Clitheroe – Blackburn (bold indicates rest days).
See an overview map of the proposed route at https://thepilgrims.org.uk/2026/2026_proposed.html
The proposed dates for 2026 will be: gathering in Middlesbrough on 15 August, celebration day in Blackburn 29 August, travel home 30 August.
Bookings will open when the accommodation is firmed up (likely January) – subscribe to updates on our website to be the first to know.
Existing pilgrims who are interested in planning a day’s walk should contact chief route planner Aidan (by e-mail if you have it, or via Contact The Pilgrims).
So excited to welcome the Pilgrimage to my home church of St Mary’s Cathedral
Dear Aidan, dear pilgrims! I have been thinking about you a lot these days! Since our ‘Hope’- pilgrimage last month, we are now once again on a multi-day walking tour here in the Massif Central in south-central France. Laurence and I are currently following in the footsteps of your compatriot Robert Louis Stevenson, who travelled here in 1878 with his donkey Modestine.
I thoroughly enjoyed the pilgrimage from Redhill to Eastbourne. My impressions, ideas and the many thought-provoking insights into the outer and inner world continue to resonate. You were wonderful companions and guides. Everyone was able to simply be there with their thoughts and feelings, was included and had space for themselves. We would like to thank you very much for that. Now I hope – and Laurence too – to be able to join you again next year. I wish you further good experiences, inspiration and joint projects for the coming pilgrimage.