Pilgrims have been coming to Bury St Edmunds for over 1000 years. The shrine of Saint Edmund attracted pilgrims from near and far until the closure of the Abbey of St Edmund in 1539 at the Dissolution of the Monasteries.
The present day Cathedral, in its role as a parish church, has the dedication of St James, patron saint of pilgrims.
Today, the Cathedral continues to welcome pilgrims from across the world. In particular parishes from the Diocese visit on Sunday afternoons to enjoy a pilgrimage around the building before Evensong.
Friday 25 September to Friday 2 October: Iona.
A Cathedral and friends pilgrimage by rail, ferry and coach to Iona off the northwest coast of Scotland beyond Mull. The restored abbey church, founded by the Irish monk St Columba in 563AD, is now the spiritual home of the ecumenical Iona Community, with our group mostly staying at Bishops House – the Scottish Episcopal Church’s Diocese of Argyll & The Isles retreat house – where daily Anglican worship is offered in tandem with evening worship at The Abbey. Whilst this residential pilgrimage is fully subscribed, we would be glad to hear from intending pilgrims for 2027 and beyond to The Holy Island of Lindisfarne in Northumberland, a ruined priory founded by St Aidan, one of Columba’s monks in 635AD.
For more information on all pilgrimages and registration please contact Cathedral Chaplain, Revd Canon Mark Haworth markhaworth@stedscathedral.org
We are working in partnership with The Suffolk Way of the Cross Pilgrimage Group to restore a previously neglected but extremely significant historic medieval pilgrimage route in Suffolk.
Not only was this a route to Edmund’s shrine at Bury St Edmunds, it was also a route in the other direction, to Our Lady of Grace’s shrine at Ipswich, and beyond this, by ship to Santiago de Compostela via the Camino Ingles from northern Spain, and indeed to other major European shrines, including Rome. The route is 40 miles in length, and has along it no fewer than three other major East Anglian shrines – Our Lady of Ipswich, The Chapel of the Holy Cross in Haughley, and Our Lady of Woolpit – with the two Marian shrines seen as second only to Walsingham within East Anglia.
It is intended that the Way will be way marked and opened at Easter 2027, as a ‘living route’ open to everyone. You can watch a presentation on this route here.
Download suggested pilgrimage routes which lead to the Abbey ruins in Bury St Edmunds. Suitable for individual or group use. NB: do please check the route before setting out in case there are any road or footpath closures: https://www.suffolk.gov.uk/roads-and-transport/roadworks
Walk the Pilgrims’ way from the south Starts from Hardwick Heath (1.5 miles) Map included.
Walk the Pilgrims’ Way from the north Starts from the railway station or St Saviour’s (1/25 miles) Map included.
In Those First Footsteps From St Benet’s, Norfolk to Bury St Edmunds following in the footsteps of the first Benedictines (80 miles).
Bardwell to Bury St Edmunds A pleasant walk through the villages and countryside (15 miles).
Clare to Bury St Edmunds A route used by medieval pilgrims travelling from Clare Priory to the Abbey (19 miles).
Castle Hedingham to Clare Learn about Magna Carta connections. This route can be linked to the Clare to Bury St Edmunds route (total distance 28 miles. Castle Hedingham to Clare 9 miles).
St Edmund Way A long distance waymarked route from Manningtree to Brandon (79 miles).
Nowton Park Circular Links this attractive park with the town (7 miles).
Rushbrooke Circular Links Rushbrooke, Nowton and the town (9 miles).
Ram Meadow to Abbey Gardens A short walk from the car park to the Abbey site (1/2 mile).
Further information on pilgrimage can be found on the websites of the East Anglian Pilgrimage network and the British Pilgrimage Trust (including a one day route from St Edmundsbury Cathedral)
For pilgrims who cannot make the physical journey, we are pleased to offer two virtual resources.