A new pilgrim route designed to take in some of North Wales’ most historic religious sites has been backed by the Archbishop of Canterbury.
The first pilgrimage along the North Wales Pilgrim’s Way will take place from Basingwerk Abbey near Holywell to Bardsey Island in the summer. The long-distance walk will take in sites including the stone circles above the Conwy Valley and the Cathedrals in St Asaph and Bangor.
The route was devised after the Dean of St Asaph, the Very Reverend Chris Potter and his wife Jenny went on a 750 mile pilgrimage across France and Spain. They were inspired to explore sites of historic and spiritual interest closer to home and set up a group to design the North Wales route. It starts in Flintshire before moving across the region and linking up with an existing pilgrim route at the Lleyn peninsula which leads to Bardsey Island.
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams is patron of the North Wales Pilgrim’s Way and said:
“More than at any time since the sixteenth century, pilgrimage today is a vehicle for discovering something about God and about yourself.
“North Wales is a landscape charged with a history of faith, and this particular pilgrim route will be, for all who follow it, a true path towards the light, supported by all those living memories of prayer and holy lives.”
It’s hoped the Pilgrim’s Way will help to boost tourism in rural areas of the region too.
Former Clwyd West Assembly Member and candidate Darren Millar said:
“Tourism is the bread and butter of the North Wales economy so I am delighted to hear about the North Wales Pilgrim’s Way and hope many people will take this opportunity to explore some of our wonderful sites of historic and religious interest.
“North Wales has a rich Christian heritage which is often overlooked; the Pilgrim’s Way will help to promote this to locals and visitors to the area.”
The inaugural North Wales pilgrimage will be held between 7 and 18 August 2011.
For more information about the pilgrimage please contact Jenny Potter on 01745 583597. There is also more information online at www.pilgrims-way-north-wales.org
