One of the key highlights of last year’s Yorkshire Churches Day was a series of specially designed ‘pilgrimage’ trails – walks that link places of worship for visitors to explore, each offering a range of refreshments, exhibitions and displays. From scenic strolls through the picturesque landscape of the East Moors to the historical wonders of the deserted medieval villages of East Yorkshire, the event showcased the deep-rooted history and of Yorkshire’s church history and heritage.

Details of the walking routes can be found below and can still be enjoyed in your own time at your own pace:

• Deserted Medieval Villages of East Yorkshire – exploring churches in Wharram Percy, Cowlam, Cottam and Langtoft.

A particularly unique offering last year was the Deserted Medieval Villages of East Yorkshire Walk, which brought visitors through ancient, semi-ruined sites, where history and nature intertwine. Walkers visited churches in the abandoned villages of Wharram Percy, Cowlam, Cottam, and Langtoft. These churches, once at the heart of village life, tell the stories of communities long gone.

More details of the route, map and driving instructions can be found here:

• Fountains Ways – Ancient Paths for Modern Pilgrims

The Abbots’ Way’ , part of the Fountains Ways walks, aims to get people out walking in the glorious Nidderdale area, visiting four beautiful rural churches located in the Fountains Benefice – including William Burges’ famous St Mary’s, Studley Royal, by Fountains Abbey – and enjoying good local hospitality. Starting and finishing at Sawley, nr Ripon this 9 mile route takes in St Michael and All Angels, St Mary’s Studley Royal, St Cuthbert and St Oswald, Winksley and St Lawrence, Aldfield.

Full details of the route can be found below:

• Sykes Trail churches

We are promoting some of the churches in the East Riding featured in the Sykes Churches (Northern Trail).

Sir Tatton Sykes, 5^th baronet (1826-1913) of Sledmere succeeded to his 36,000 acre estate in the East Riding of Yorkshire in 1863. He continued the work of his father, the 4^th baronet, who had begun to restore the churches of the Yorkshire Wolds. Between 1866 and his death in 1913, Tatton Sykes restored 17 rural churches, working with some of the leading church architects, including G.E. Street, Temple Moore and C. Hodgson Fowler and ecclesiastical artists of the day.

More details on the route, map and driving instructions can be found here:

https://www.eychurches.org.uk/index.php/our-leaflets/96-sykes-churches-trail-northern-route

• Friendship Walk – Exploring the Churches of Temple Moore

For those looking for a blend of history, beauty, and culture, the Friendship Walk offers a delightful journey from East Moors to Rievaulx, and finishing at Helmsley, visiting three of the works of renowned architect Temple Moore, whose churches dot the landscape with striking designs.

For more details, click here: https://www.saintaelredspilgrimtrail.com/petal-walks

Head to the St Aelred’s Pilgrim Trail website for details on a range of walking routes – there is something for everyone with distances ranging from 3 miles to 41 miles – including an accessible route for disabled ramblers.

click here for further details

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