Walking the Everyday Histories of Saint Aelred Saturday 12 September 2026

Join us for a free day of walking, companionship, history and reflection as the Saint Aelred’s Pilgrim Trail Society holds its annual Gathering Walk through the beautiful landscape of Upper Ryedale.

This year our theme is Walking the Everyday Histories of Saint Aelred, exploring not only the churches and great monastic sites associated with Aelred, but the farms, fields, tracks and communities which formed the everyday landscape of his world.

Our pilgrimage begins at All Saints’, Hawnby at 9.30am, before making its way through Murton Grange and Old Byland, stopping for a picnic lunch at Tylas Farm, and then continuing past Rievaulx Abbey before reaching All Saints’, Helmsley for a closing service at 4pm.

Along the way there will be time for refreshments, conversation and short reflections, as we discover more about the people who have lived and worked in this landscape over the centuries and make space to notice the landscape around us today.

You don’t have to walk the whole route. Everyone is welcome to join us for as much or as little of the pilgrimage as they would like, meeting the group at Hawnby, Murton Grange, Old Byland, Rievaulx or simply joining us for the closing service in Helmsley.

For those walking the whole route, meet at Helmsley Long Stay Car Park at 9am, where transport will be provided to Hawnby for the start.

The day

• 9.00am – Meet at Helmsley Long Stay Car Park for transport to Hawnby

• 9.30am – Pilgrimage begins at All Saints’, Hawnby

• 10.30am – Coffee break at Murton Grange

• 11.40am – Reflection at All Saints’, Old Byland

• 12.50pm – Picnic lunch at Tylas Farm – please bring your own picnic

• 2.15pm – Walk by Rievaulx Abbey

• 4.00pm – Closing service at All Saints’, Helmsley

Pilgrimage is about much more than reaching a destination. It gives us an opportunity to walk at a different pace, to notice the landscape and its stories, to enjoy the companionship of others and perhaps to see familiar places with fresh eyes.

Whether you are a seasoned pilgrim, a keen walker, interested in local history, exploring faith, or simply fancy spending a day in good company in this wonderful landscape, you are very welcome to join us.

The Gathering Walk is free and open to all.