St James' Way for Camino Pilgrims

The St James' Way is a walking route which forms part of the ancient pilgrimage route of 'Camino de Santiago'. Start your journey from Reading Museum.

The Camino runs from Reading to Southampton for its English leg, and then from there follows a network of ancient pilgrim routes to Santiago de Compostela in North-West Spain.  

Reading Abbey was an important site for ancient pilgrims, and at its height in the Middle Ages the abbey saw pilgrims in their hundreds or even thousands attending Holy Mass in order to qualify for two days free lodging at the Hospitium.  These medieval pilgrims had come to venerate holy relics including most notably the Hand of St James. You can find out about more about Reading Abbey in the Museum's Story of Reading Gallery. Now new waves of pilgrims are visiting Reading and its abbey to start out on the way-marked St James’ Way.

The English and Spanish legs may be walked in stages, or continuously, over any period of time.  Certificates of completion may be claimed in both Southampton and Santiago by pilgrims provided they have stamps recorded in a pilgrim passport at cafes, pubs, museums, and churches to evidence their journey.  The Reading Museum shop stocks passports and other items that will assist with your walking and enjoyment of this Camino, you can buy online or in-person.