Walking The St James' Way

Reading is a modern destination with a medieval history - the departure point for modern pilgrims and walkers retracing the steps of medieval pilgrims along St James’ Way to Southampton and then on to Galicia in north-west Spain to join the English Way, one of the routes of the world famous Way of Saint James, the Camino de Santiago. 

Reading has lots to see and do while you are here, including a number of important pilgrim sites. Download our map guide to help you make the most of your visit and set you off on the right route to walk the St James’ Way ... and maybe on to Santiago!

Throughout the Middle Ages, Reading and Caversham were recognised
centres of pilgrimage. The focus in Reading was Reading Abbey, which
possessed over 230 relics including the Hand of St James, which made
Reading the centre of the cult of St James in early medieval England.

The St James’ Way is a long-distance walk of 68.5 miles running from
Reading Abbey south to Southampton, and part of the Camino Inglés,
the network of pilgrimage trails that run as far north in England as
Durham to Santiago de Compostela in Galicia (pictured below), where St James is
buried. This route will soon be marked with the scallop shell, symbol
of the pilgrims to Santiago, and a yellow arrow to point you in the
right Camino.

Find out more 

• Walk the St James Way (Confraternity of St James)
• Download the Reading for Modern Pilgrims Map
• Walk the St James' Way with Walking.Holiday's four to seven day self-guided walking itineraries
• Find out about the Camino Ingles / Camino de Santiago