St James' Way 4 days
An English Camino from Reading to Southampton
The English Camino is the UK leg of the complete Camino de Santiago from Reading to Santiago de Compostela. The UK route ends at Southampton.
4 Days Walking/5 Night Package
Average daily distance 17.1 miles Longest day 22.5 miles
Itinerary
Day 0 Arrive at Reading
Arrive at your leisure at Malmaison, a short walk from Reading station if you’re travelling by train or Rail Air bus from London’s Heathrow Airport. Spend some time visiting Reading Museum (open Tuesday – Saturday) and exploring the recently restored Abbey buildings within the Abbey Quarter, the centre of medieval pilgrimage in Reading.
The Abbey was one of the leading Benedictine Abbeys in Europe and held the Hand of St James, a relic of great significance to visiting pilgrims who flocked to the Abbey to pay their respects before making their way to Southampton and setting sail to the Galician shores of Northern Spain. From there, they would follow the modern-day English Camino to reach Compostela and visit the tomb of St James, known as ‘Santiago’, in Spanish. Enjoy a meal at one of the many restaurants in Reading town centre.
If you have time, head around the corner from Reading Abbey, where Oscar Wilde was once incarcerated, to view the internationally famous ‘Banksy’ mural on the wall of the former Reading Jail.
Day 1 Reading to Silchester 14.0 miles
Begin your pilgrimage at St James’ church, taking a moment to reflect on the significance of the journey ahead of you. Leaving Reading behind you’ll soon find yourself walking along the Kennet and Avon canal towpath, look out for the plentiful wildlife and numerous pillboxes built along the canal during WW2 as anti-invasion defences.
Take a coffee break after 4 miles at the Cunning Man pub, or at 7 miles you’ll reach the Fox and Hounds pub at Sheffield Bottom, a useful place to stop for lunch. After leaving the pub the route passes through Hosehill Nature Reserve before reaching the quaint St Mary’s Church in Sulhamstead, with its rich history, and known for its connection to the English Camino. The Revd Peabody, if around, is known to encourage pilgrims to ring the church bell!
After passing through the village of Mortimer you will soon find yourself entering the Roman City of Silchester. Take some time to explore the well-preserved Roman Walls and marvel at the Amphitheatre before you visit Silchester Parish Church, which is well worth a look inside, and is usually open.
Accommodation
We will meet you at Silchester Church and transfer you to Chapel B&B, set in a former Methodist Chapel dating back to 1867. Chapel B&B offers self-contained accommodation in the village of Little London. Our guests have sole use of the comfortable sitting room and free use of the kitchen. A short walk from the property is the Plough Inn, a cosy, traditional pub serving real ales.
Day 2 Silchester to Dummer 16.0 miles
After a hearty breakfast we will collect you from Little London and transport you back to the St James’ Way. The route will take you through fields and country lanes until you reach the Church of St James in Bramley. Take some time to look at the medieval wall paintings including a depiction of St James, plus the largest passport stamp on the Camino.
After 5 miles walking you will reach the Queen College Arms pub in Pamber End, a good stopping point for coffee or lunch.
The route then continues following the old Roman Road passing the former Priory in Monk Sherborne, the outskirts of Basingstoke and winding its way to the scenic village of Dummer with its many picture postcard thatch cottages.
Accommodation
You will be met at Dummer and driven a couple of miles to the Wheatsheaf Inn in North Waltham. There is a restaurant onsite offering a wide choice of menu and a full breakfast in the morning.
Day 3 Dummer to Winchester 22.5 miles
Today is the longest day on the English Camino and is all about villages! You will be transported back to Dummer from where you will walk to the Saxon village of Preston Candover, on to Upper Wield and after 12 miles find yourself in New Alresford, an ideal place to break your journey for lunch.
Famous as the watercress capital of the UK and for the Watercress Line steam railway, Alresford is a beautiful Georgian town which for many centuries prospered with the wool trade. Lined with pretty colour washed Georgian houses there are numerous shops to browse and a good selection of old fashioned pubs, smart bistros and traditional tea rooms to choose from.
Leaving New Alresford, you’ll pass amongst the watercress beds along the St Swithun’s Way to Winchester. Following paths through fields, alongside the shallow chalk streams you will pass through the picturesque villages of Ovington, Itchen Stoke, Itchen Abbas and the Doomsday villages of Martyr Worthy and Kings Worthy before you reach Winchester, England’s Anglo Saxon capital.
Accommodation
Located within the historic city of Winchester, The Black Hole is a quirky inn within easy walking distance of the iconic Winchester Cathedral and the city centre with its vast array of independent shops, cafes and restaurants.
Day 4 Winchester to Southampton 16.0 miles
Before heading off for the final day of walking, enjoy a stroll through Winchester and a visit to Winchester Cathedral, the historic place of pilgrimage. 1.5 miles after leaving the Cathedral the route passes the Hospital of St Cross where, as a pilgrim today, you are entitled to partake in the ancient charitable institution of the Wayfarer’s Dole – free bread and ale – to send you on your way for the final push to Southampton. The Anglers Inn on the banks of the River Itchen in Bishopstoke is a good stopping point for lunch or refreshments.
The final miles to your journey’s end commence alongside the Itchen Navigation, which can be tricky in Summer as the brambles grow rapidly and the banks are uneven and narrow in places. After a mile or so, you’ll pass Itchen Valley Country Park on your left and will eventually loop around the M27 via the underpass, towards the popular Riverside Park.
Soon you will pass close to Southampton Football Stadium, before finally completing your pilgrimage as you reach God’s House Tower, Southampton. Congratulations! Here, you can proudly present your well-stamped Camino passport and receive your ‘Via de Sanctus Iacobus’ Certificate of Completion.
Accommodation
Your final night will be spent at the Moxy Hotel in Southampton, close to the end of the route and the historic city centre. Enjoy a well-deserved celebratory drink and meal at the Wellington pub in Bugle Street, taking time to reflect on your achievement, or at one of the many other pubs and restaurants in the city.
Prices
Prices inclusive of bed and breakfast plus baggage transfer between hotels. A map and guide book and pilgrims’ passport are also included. You will have unlimited access to our local team in the event of difficulties.
Price per person assuming shared occupancy: from £790
Price per person assuming single occupancy: from £1,110
Due to limited accommodation on this route, we cannot guarantee to meet the minimum price. However, we will do all we can to achieve it wherever possible
Rest days can be built into your itinerary. Prices will vary depending on the hotel
Check Availability
Or contact us directly
- camino.ingles@walking.holiday
- 07449 585 990
- 07899 654 979