St Luke's Way (East) to Nottingham
St Luke's Way
The eastern Pilgrimage of Hope Way from the Cathedral Church of St John the Baptist in Norwich to the Cathedral Church of St Barnabas in Nottingham via the National Shrine of Our Lady at Houghton St Giles and the Pontifical Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham at King's Lynn. St Luke the Evangelist is believed to the author of the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles. Tradition has it that he was martyred by being hanged from an olive tree. He is described in the New Testament as a physician.
Patron: Julian of Norwich (c. 1343 – after 1416) English anchoress, mystic and theologian.
Julian's writings, now known as Revelations of Divine Love, are the earliest surviving English-language works attributed to a woman. They are also the only surviving works by an anchoress in English. Her feast is celebrated on 13th May.
Overview
St Luke's Way starts at the Cathedral of St John the Baptist, Norwich, leaving the city along the Marriotts Way, crossing the River Wensum towards Cawston, then taking the Pilgrim Cross route to Walsingham along country lanes to the National Shrine to Our Lady at Houghton St Giles. From Walsingham the Way follows tracks and lanes to Dersingham and then crosses the Sandringham estate to King's Lynn. The Way continues alongside the Great Ouse to Wisbech, then across fenland to Spalding and Bourne. The Way uses roads and footpaths to navigate the rolling countryside of Kesteven to Grantham, then follows the Grantham canal near Belvoir Castle across farmland to Bingham, joining the Trent Valley Way at Radcliffe, to arrive at St Barnabas' Cathedral in Central Nottingham.
Essential facts:
- Route length: 155.4 miles
- Ascent: 1,883 ft
- Peak elevation: 443 ft (the route is generally flat)
- The Way can be followed using a GPX file (download using the button below).
St Luke's Way route
SUGGESTED STAGES
Stage 1: Norwich to Cawston
THE ROUTE IN DETAILWalk overview
From St John’s Cathedral the route descends to the Wensum valley to the start of Marriotts Way (1 mile), a cycle/footpath following the line of the old railway. This passes footpath/road to Costessey (5 miles) proceeding to Drayton (6.5 miles). After footbridge over ring road (8.2 miles) the route leaves the Marriotts Way to take minor roads to Felthorpe (10 miles), and Eastgate (14 miles)
Details of the walk
Distance: 13.3 miles
Approximate time taken: 6 hours walking
Ascent: 157 ft
Start: The Cathedral of St John the Baptist, Unthank Rd, Norwich, NR2 2PA
End: St Agnes Parish Church, Church Lane, Cawston, NR10 4AJ
Accessible sections: Marriotts Way in Norwich (1 mile to 3 miles) (Sustrans pedestrian/cycle path) has a good surface as far as Hellesdon Road (3 miles).The next 3 miles from Hellesdon Road as far as Drayton (6 miles) is adequate for buggies.
Shorter walk options
St John’s Cathedral via Marriotts Way cyclepath to Drayton (c 6 miles from start, eta 1400). Return options:
Retrace steps along Marriotts Way at any point or catch 28/29/X29/30A bus from The Cock, Drayton Road to Norwich or arrange pick up by car e.g. from Tesco Drayton
Stage 2: Cawston to Little Walsingham
THE ROUTE IN DETAILWalk overview
From Cawston (with its stunning medieval church) the route follows the Pilgrim Cross route via minor roads all the way to Walsingham, following the Heydon estate (3 miles) then through the villages of Thurning (6), Hindolveston (9) Fulmodeston (12), Little Snoring (15) and Great Snoring (17) before descending into the little valley of Walsingham
Details of the walk
Distance: 17.4 miles
Approximate time taken: 7.5 hours walking
Ascent: 154 ft
Start: St Agnes Parish Church, Church Lane, Cawston, NR10 4AJ
End: The Annunciation Catholic Church, Friday Market, Little Walsingham, NR2 6DB
Accessible sections: As the route is entirely on minor roads it’s not suitable for buggies or wheelchairs.
Shorter walk options
No viable short walk options except by retracing steps along route back to Cawston (route is entirely on roads)
Stage 3: Little Walsingham Dersingham
THE ROUTE IN DETAILWalk overview
The route gently climbs out of Walsingham to head due West along long, straight minor roads and (muddy) farm tracks via the villages of South Creake and Bircham to reach the small town of Dersingham just north of the Sandringham estate. A long day but is fairly straightforward.
Details of the walk
Distance: 18.2 miles
Approximate time taken: 7.5 hours walking
Ascent: 295 ft
Start: The Annunciation Catholic Church, Friday Market, Little Walsingham, NR2 6DB
End: St Cecilia's Catholic Church, Mountbatten Rd, Dersingham, PE31 6YE
Accessible sections: Holy Mile between Catholic and Anglican shrines in Walsingham, otherwise the route is not suitable for wheeled access). The Holy Mile follows old railway track – has a firm even surface.
Shorter walk options
Walsingham Market Square to the Catholic National Shrine along the Holy Mile (firm even surface) c 1.5m eta 1000.
Return options: Retrace steps or
36 Bus to Walsingham or arrange pick up by car
Stage 4: Dersingham to Kings Lynn
THE ROUTE IN DETAILWalk overview
The route leaves Dersingham on pavements then follows along the broad verged minor roads of the Sandringham Estate. Crosses the busy A149 (traffic island) and then follows footpaths and tracks to Castle Rising. Forest tracks through Ling Common, then pavements through the outskirts of Kings Lynn.
Details of the walk
Distance: 10 miles
Approximate time taken: 5 hours walking
Ascent: 125 ft
Start: St Cecilia's Catholic Church, Mountbatten Rd, Dersingham, PE31 6YE
End: Our Lady of the Annunciation Catholic Church, N Everard St, King's Lynn, PE30 5HQ
Accessible sections: Dersingham village has a pavement route from St Cecilias to Petals tea rooms on opposite corner of village. NB Cars may be parked on pavements making access difficult.
Shorter walk options
From St Cecilias to Sandringham tea rooms (c 2 miles, eta 1100) via pavements in town and verges at side of road
Return options: Retrace steps or
35 Bus to Dersingham or arrange pick up by car
Stage 5: Kings Lynn to Wisbech
THE ROUTE IN DETAILWalk overview
From Our Lady of the Annunciation (with its pontifical shrine) the route joins the towpath beside the Great Ouse, tarmac surface for 3km as far as the power station then a grassed track to St Germains church (medieval pew ends showing sins and sacraments). Minor roads lead through the Fens via a succession of small, long villages to Wisbech.
Details of the walk
Distance: 16 miles
Approximate time taken: 7 hours walking
Ascent: 75 ft
Start: Our Lady of the Annunciation Catholic Church, N Everard St, King's Lynn, PE30 5HQ
End: Our Lady & St Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, 69 Queens Rd. Wisbech, PE13 2PH
Accessible sections: At the start of the route there is 3km flat towpath alongside of Great Ouse past the paper factory
Shorter walk options
From Our Lady, London Road along towpath (metalled) alongside of Great Ouse past the paper factory to the power station (2 miles, eta 1045) or on grass footpath to St Germans (5 miles, eta 1200)
Return Options: Retrace steps or 46 bus from St Germans or arrange pickup by car.
Stage 6: Wisbech to Spalding
THE ROUTE IN DETAILWalk overview
From Our Lady & St Charles Borromeo Church, the route visits the town centre before crossing the Nene and heading to the village of Leverington through park, main roads and tracks. After this the road follows minor fenland roads, quiet for the most part in a series of zig zags towards Spalding.
Details of the walk
Distance: 21 miles
Approximate time taken: 9 hours walking
Ascent: 75 ft
Start: Our Lady & St Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, 69 Queens Rd. Wisbech, PE13 2PH
End: The Immaculate Conception & St Norbert Catholic Church, 52 St Thomas Rd, Spalding, PE11 2XX
Accessible sections: The route is entirely on fenland minor roads, some of which are busy so is unsuitable for wheeled access.
Shorter walk options
No viable short walk options - it's a very long day, entirely on roads
Stage 7: Spalding to Bourne
THE ROUTE IN DETAILWalk overview
The route leaves central Spalding on the pavement beside the main road, then through a housing estate to a footpath beside Vernatt’s Drain to Old Pode (3 miles). A very long, straight, minor road runs alongside Counter Drain passing LWT bird reserve (5 miles) to turning after Tounge End (7 miles). South Fen Road then leads directly to Bourne, caution - heavyweight lorries on minor road after the recycling centre (9 miles)
Details of the walk
Distance: 12
Approximate time taken: 5 hours walking
Ascent: 108
Start: The Immaculate Conception & St Norbert Catholic Church, 52 St Thomas Rd, Spalding, PE11 2XX
End: St Gilbert's Church, 3 St Gilbert's Rd, Bourne, PE10 9XB
Accessible sections: The first 1.5 miles of the route is all on pavements as far as Monks Park Primary school, although beside the main road.
Shorter walk options
Immaculate Conception & St Norbert via pavements/footpath but mostly minor roads to Willow Tree Fen (5 miles, eta 1130).
Return Options: Arrange own pickup by car.
Stage 8: Dyke to Grantham
THE ROUTE IN DETAILWalk overview
Route leaves Dyke on footpath to Hanthorpe via Morton (2 miles). Minor roads, tracks, footpaths lead to Irnham (7.5 miles) then Ingoldsby (10.5 miles), and Ropsley (14 miles) before crossing the busy A52 and B6403 roads to follow road north of the army barracks, with an excellent view over Grantham before descent into the market town.
Details of the walk
Distance: 20.6 miles
Approximate time taken: 8.5 hours walking
Ascent: 430 ft
Start: The Wishing Well Inn, 21 Main St, Dyke, PE10 0AF
End: St Mary's Catholic Church, 1 N Parade, Grantham, NG31 8AT
Accessible sections: This stage is not suitable for wheelchairs or buggies.
Shorter walk options
No viable short walk options - it's a very long day, almost entirely on roads
Stage 9: Grantham to Bingham
THE ROUTE IN DETAILWalk overview
Route leaves Grantham on pavements, crossing bridge over A1 to footpath (2.5 miles) leading over hill and down to Grantham canal (4 miles). Towpath leads to the canalside “Duck at Woolsthorpe” pub (5 miles). Minor road then pavement into Woolsthorpe then footpath over fields to Belvoir. Short road section to Belvoir Castle car park (8 miles) (small café, toilets). Poor footpaths to Barkstone (11 miles) then very muddy track to Granby (14 miles). Footpath joins Bingham Linear Park disused railway (15.5 miles) leading to tunnel under A52 outside Bingham (17 miles).
Details of the walk
Distance: 17.1 miles
Approximate time taken: 8 hours walking
Ascent: 344 ft
Start: St Mary's Catholic Church, 1 N Parade, Grantham, NG31 8AT
End: Bingham Townhouse Hotel, 15 Market St, Bingham, NG13 8AB
Accessible sections: The start of route from Grantham is on well maintained pavements.
Shorter walk options
St Mary's Catholic Church, Grantham to The Duck at Woolsthorpe via pavements, footpaths and canal towpath (5 miles eta 1100).
Return options: Arrange own pickup by car or 9 Bus Woolsthorpe to Grantham NB very infrequent
Stage 10: Bingham to Nottingham
THE ROUTE IN DETAILWalk overview
Route follows pavements from Bingham to Radcliffe, with lunch stop at St Annes Radcliffe. Pavements lead to minor road / track to Holme Pierrepoint, then minor roads to path beside river Trent, crossing at Lady Bay Bridge or Trent Bridge and from there following pavements via Railway station and Nottingham Castle to St Barnabas’ Cathedral.
Details of the walk
Distance: 10.6 miles
Approximate time taken: 5.5 hours walking
Ascent: 230 ft
Start: Bingham Townhouse Hotel, 15 Market St, Bingham, NG13 8AB
Ends: St Barnabas Cathedral, N Circus St, Nottingham, NG1 5AE
Accessible sections: Radcliffe (4.5 miles) to Nottingham (12 miles): much of this route is via pavements and tracks though there is a minor road section around National Water Sports Centre between Holme Pierrepoint and the River Trent.
Shorter walk options
St Annes Radcliffe to St Barnabas’ Cathedral Nottingham (6.5 miles, start c 1300, eta c 1530-1600) Pavements and track to Holme Pierrepoint then minor road skirting National Water Sports Centre to towpath beside River Trent, then city pavements to Cathedral. Return options: arrange pickup by car or train or Bus Nottingham to Radcliffe or Bingham
