St Frideswide's Way
The St Frideswide's Way (40 miles)
The Saint Frideswide’s Way is an officially accredited Camino pilgrim route, commencing from Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford to Reading Abbey. It forms part of the Camino Inglés that British medieval pilgrims travelled on their journey to the shrine of St James at Santiago de Compostela in northwest Spain.
Who was St Frideswide?
St Frideswide, circa 650 to 727, is the patron saint of Oxford and Oxford University. She was an Anglo-Saxon princess and the first abbess of St Frideswide’s monastery which is now Christ Church Cathedral. Legend has it that she escaped from a suitor by settling in Binsey, just north of Oxford, where she stayed for three years. To avoid fetching water, she prayed to God and a well sprang up. This well had healing properties. She went on to found her Augustinian priory in Oxford. She was made a saint by the Archbishop of Canterbury in 1440 and her feast day is 18 October.
What you should know about the Path
The St Fridewide’s Way mostly follows the route of the Thames Path National Trail through gentle countryside on the edge of the Chiltern Hills, ending at the historic Reading Abbey. The route also makes use of The Ridgeway National Trail between Wallingford and Goring, as well as the opposite bank of the Thames Path between Whitchurch and Caversham via Mapledurham estate.
The walk is mostly flat and easy, with just one short climb of around 100 feet between Goring and Pangbourne, offering beautiful views across the Thames valley.
The Thames Path and the Ridgeway are clearly marked and keep close to the river for much of the way. Walkers will pass through welcoming villages and church communities, each with their own story and character.
Itinerary
We offer a 3 day and a 4 day itinerary. These can be viewed and booked on our Walk the Thames website. Prices are inclusive of bed and breakfast plus baggage transfer between hotels. A map and guide book is also included. You will have unlimited access to our local team in the event of difficulties.
3 day itinerary: Price per person assuming shared occupancy: £600; single occupancy: £910.
4 day itinerary: Price per person assuming shared occupancy: £730; single occupancy: £1,110.
Please mention St Frideswide’s Way on the “questions or additional information” section of the enquiry form.
St Frideswide’s and St James’ Way combined (Oxford to Southampton)
We can arrange a continuous 129 mile walk from Oxford to Southampton by combining the St Frideswide’s Way with the St James’ Way, the two pilgrim routes meeting at Reading. This can be an 8 day walk or a more leisurely 12 days. Please use the contact button below to let us know that you are interested.
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