The St Cuthbert Mayne Way

IN DEVELOPMENT: GPX FILE AVAILABLE TO DOWNLOAD


A Pilgrim Way for the Diocese of Plymouth from the Cathedral of SS Mary & Boniface in Plymouth to the Shrine of St Cuthbert Mayne in Launceston 

A signpost on the Cleveland Way

About the proposed route

Cuthbert Mayne was an English Catholic priest executed at Launceston under the laws of Elizabeth I. Mayne was beatified in 1886 and canonised as one of the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales in 1970.


NB the route involves two river crossings, one by a ford and one by short train ride.


The Way leaves the Cathedral and crosses Victoria Park to reach the Church of the Most Holy Redeemer near Plymouth docks and then the Church of St Paul. The route leaves Plymouth and follows the Tamar Valley Discovery Trail. The River Tavy is crossed using a ford near Lopwell House to reach Bere Alston Station where a train must be taken to Calstock because the river ferry is now closed.


The way continues to follow the Tamar Valley Discovery Trail northwards over rolling hills and riverside meadows. Finally the Shrine of St Cuthbert Mayne in the town of Launceston is reached.

You can find out more about the Way and download the GPX file by clicking on the LEARN MORE tab in the

interactive map below

Guidance

When the Way has been launched you will be able to use the tabs in this section to find the information you need for your pilgrimage.

 

The Outer Way will provide practical advice about the route. 


The Inner Way will describe the spiritual highlights.  


Walking guidance: you will be able to download the details of the inner and outer way and walking guidance

ABOUT THE DIOCESE OF PLYMOUTH

At the time of the Reformation several Catholics were martyred for their faith in all three counties that make up the modern Diocese of Plymouth. Notable among them was Cuthbert Mayne, a native of North Devon, who was arrested in Cornwall and hung drawn and quartered in Launceston. He is one of the patron saints of the Diocese.


Over the next few centuries the Catholic Church continued in the South-West with the support some local Catholic aristocratic families – notably the Welds in Dorset, the Cliffords in Devon and the Arundells in Cornwall. During the European upheaval associated with the French and Napoleonic wars, many refugees Catholic settled in the area, including several religious congregations. In 1850 the Roman Catholic Hierarchy was restored in this country and the Diocese was formed.

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