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St. James Way (English Camino)
  • *Marianne
  • Debbie Tait
  • *Marianne
  • Debbie Tait

St. James Way (English Camino)

A short five day trip walking an English Camino this time. No flights just a train to Reading which is our start point. Excited to see the newly erected Camino marker.
Strange to see miles instead of km. Read more
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  • Trip start
    December 31, 2025
    St. James Way (English Camino)
    Start of St James Way Reading
    The marker to Santiago 690 miles (note not on KM)Original Pilgrims Hospice built 1486Banksey's Create EscapeSt. Mary's Church where we rang the bellRinging in the New Year 2026Debbie ringing in the New Year 2026More yellow arrowsYellow arrows in all sorts of placesGetting ready for NYE

    Day 1 Reading > Burghfield Common

    December 31, 2025 in England ⋅ ⛅ 3 °C

    Our journey starts at Banbury train station to catch the 07:55 train to Reading.
    This is the start of St. James Way our own English Camino. We passed the original Pilgrims Hospice built in 1486, the Abbey Ruins, the prison which housed Orson Wells and a Banksey. After getting our pilgrims passport stamped at Carluccio’s we made our way out of Reading along the canal path.
    We met up with Anthony Peabody at St. Mary’s church in Sulhampstead Abbots. He told us we were the 431st & 432nd pilgrims this year. We got a blessing, a pilgrims stamp and were allowed to ring the bell, to me this was like ringing in the New Year 🔔 it is after all New Year’s Eve.    Read more

  • St. James Way (English Camino)
    County boundary Berkshire & HampshireSt Mary the virgin churchCollecting possibly the largest stamp on the whole Camino to SantiagoPossibly the largest stamp on the whole of the Camino to SantiagoSilchester Roman City WallsSilchester City Roman WallsSilchester Roman City WallsThe Church of St James and the largest Camino stamp

    Day 2 Burfield Common > Basingstoke

    January 1 in England ⋅ ☁️ 1 °C

    After a very early night we headed out on our second day on St James Way, Burghfield Common to Basingstoke a total of around 18 miles. A stunning sunrise, mostly forrest’s, woodland and fields, all crisp underfoot until the afternoon.
    First stop for coffee & hot chocolate at The Queens College Arms. Also lots of Camino stamps today in the beautiful churches. From The Church of St. James in Bramley we got possibly the largest Pilgrims Stamp on the whole Camino network of routes to Santiago. A little detour en route took us to The Silchester Roman city ruins.
    Day two done, thoroughly enjoyed the route & topped off by a huge meal well and truly earned.    Read more

  • St. James Way (English Camino)
    Took us 3 goes to photograph the full sign (backwards) Dummer
    Took us 3 goes to photograph the full sign (backwards) Dummer2Took us 3 goes to photograph the full sign (backwards) DummerKnitted nativity sceneYellow arrow made of stone showing the way ➡️Another church 😂Muddy fields todaySunset from the Swan Hotel in Alresford. Body did not want to get up to take the photo!!!

    Day 3 Basingstoke > Arlesford

    January 2 in England ⋅ ☀️ 2 °C

    Blue skies with a chill in the air. Hat, gloves and 3 layers were called for, so thankful for the clear blue sky.
    This route is proving to be a lot more varied than expected. After yesterday’s woodland today there were views over open fields and byways. A pit stop at the Candover Valley Store in Preston Candover which is a community run cafe. Debbie was so excited (not!) to get to the church for yet another stamp the numpty left her phone at the cafe. Someone was looking down on her as it had been handed in.
    A beautiful days walking, in total about 18 miles. I seem to have become Camino stamp obsessed. I’ve never visited so many churches! Determined to get Debbie christened by the time we get to Southampton… 😅
    Totally enjoying this 5 day trip.
    Our bed for the night is at The Swan Hotel in the thriving town of New Arlesford. Here they have The Watercress Line steam train and charming station. They also offer a novel stamp for the pilgrim passport a ‘Mid-Hants railway’ postage seal. Quite disappointed it’s closed today and not open until 4pm tomorrow.
    Once again eaten, bath, wine and in bed watching tv by 18:30… hopefully we can stay awake past 21:00.    Read more

  • St. James Way (English Camino)
    Winchester Cathederal
    Winchester CathederalGreat way to start the day!Great way to start the day!Steam railway stationWatercress Farming @ AlresfordWatercress FarmGrave of John Hughs the last man to be hanged for horse stealingWatercress bedsRoger dishing out 'the dole' of beer & breadPilgrims can ask for 'the dole' a portion of bread & a cup of beerReceiving 'the dole'Making it to our accommodation just before darkAlways time for a swing!🥂River Itchen such a beautiful walk todaySt Marys church @ Itchen StokeSt Marys church @ Itchen StokeSt Marys church @ Itchen StokeWinchester CathededralWinchester CathedralLift to the gallery in Winchester Cathedral

    Day 4 Alresford > Eastleigh

    January 3 in England ⋅ ☀️ -1 °C

    What a luxury, full English breakfast this morning. It’s been cold soaked oats for the last two mornings 😝
    The day started with a bit of leaf kicking to get the legs warmed up on this chilly morning, a fleeting visit to the Watercress Line steam railway station, we then walked past the actual watercress beds for which Alresford is famous and the train line gets its name. There were an abundance of birds including numerous storks and swans. This clear water was to be with us most of the day as we walked next to the river Itchen. We were so lucky to bump into a dog walker who stopped us & said unless we had wellies we were going to get very wet feet. The alternate route included a busy road without a path, we risked life and limb but our feet remained as dry as a bone! We visited the grave of John Hughes the last man to be hanged for stealing a horse. The Cricketers Inn in Easton was a must as it is the first pub in the Uk to offer an English style “peregrino menu” which is widely available to Camino pilgrims at restaurants in Spain.
    Next stop Winchester Cathedral and a well deserved pit stop. Then onto St Cross Church & Hospital where we made our way to the ‘Porters Lodge’ to ask for ‘the dole’ a drink of beer and piece of bread. Roger was so hospitable & informative, a really lovely man, unfortunately we still had 7 miles to go so fueled by beer and bread we left. We have been so fortunate with clear blue skies and sunshine for our 21 mile day.
    We’ve now made it to Eastleigh, the end is in sight..,    Read more

  • St. James Way (English Camino)
    Sunrise this morning
    Love the yellow arrowsGod's House Tower - the end point of St. James WayGod's House Tower in Southampton, the end point of St. James WaySouthamptonSouthamptonPlatform TavernPilgrim's credencial obtained from the Platform TavernOne full credencial full of beautiful stamps

    Day 5 Eastleigh to Southampton

    January 4 in England ⋅ 🌙 -4 °C

    A short 8 mile walk into Southampton to reach our end point at God’s House Tower.
    The Platform Tavern pictured is where Irishman James McGrady stayed before joining Titanic’s crew as a first class steward. He was the last body to be recovered after the sinking. The pub also offers the Via de Sanctus lacobus certificate which is issued to pilgrims walking St. James Way. Pilgrims from as early as the Middle Ages carried on across the water to Spain to reach the tomb of St James in Santiago de Compostela.Read more

    Trip end
    January 4, 2026
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