A new way to tackle the St James’ Way, from Reading

26th April 2024

Tackling the English leg of the world-famous Camino de Santiago has just got a lot easier, with the launch of a new baggage and accommodation service for walkers.
Reading-based Walking.Holiday is launching four-to-seven-day self-guided itineraries along the St James' Way with luggage transfers, overnight stays and a Pilgrim’s Pack that includes a map, guidebook, pilgrim’s passport and a detailed itinerary.

Launched in 2022, and an accredited part of the Camino de Santiago, the entire St James’ Way route is now fully covered by over 500 waymarking signs in the shape of the iconic 'camino' scallop shell - the emblem of St James. 

For walkers retracing the steps of medieval pilgrims, Reading is the departure point for the 68.5 mile, mostly flat route that winds through countryside before reaching the final destination of God's House Tower in Southampton.

Linking past and present, it follows The English Way (Camino Inglés in Spanish), which was the most popular route for pilgrims heading to Santiago de Compostela from England during the 12th to the 15th centuries.

After reaching the south coast, travellers would sail to Galicia in Spain before continuing on foot to Santiago to visit the shrine of the Apostle Saint James.

Reading, whose grand Abbey was the centre of the St James’ cult in England, played a crucial role in this pilgrimage, and today the riverside town is again at the centre of the waymarked English route. 

Historically, The Camino de Santiago adopted a round badge showing three scallop shells, along with a pilgrim passport which was stamped at various venues along the route. Now a modern version of the passport means visitors can collect their own stamps.

And the first is available from Reading Museum, which acts as the official Pilgrims’ Office for the St James’ Way and tells the story of the creation of Reading Abbey as a pilgrim centre, or the 19th century St James’ Church, which is the starting point for the route. The church contains a shrine to the saint as well as images and his coat of arms in stained-glass windows. 

Walking Holiday’s packages start at £755 for four days walking and five nights B&B accommodation.
For those independently striding out, or simply walking a small part of the pilgrim’s way, Reading offers some top spots to stay before setting out on their journey. 
Among them are the five-star Roseate Hotel, located in the Abbey Quarter itself, the town centre Malmaison, Novotel, Ibis and Penta Hotels, as well as serviced accommodation at House of Fisher and Premier Suites. Rooms start from £63 per room at the Malmaison.

An overnight stay also gives more time to explore Reading’s medieval side, including the Abbey Quarter, which offers a revamped visitor experience covering 900 years of history, and Reading Museum. For a handy guide around Reading’s medieval pilgrimage links, visitors can pick up a Reading for Modern Pilgrims leaflet. 
For tourist information on Reading and St James’ Way, see www.visit-reading.com/pilgrim