Pilgrims Way
The North Wales Pilgrim's Way
This is a long distance path of 134 miles running (or in my case walking slowly) from Basingwerk Abbey to Bardsey Island.
My walking partner and I completed this in a series of day walks shuttling cars until we reached the Llyn Peninsula. Our route then demanded a stay over for a few days and we completed the walk with a ferry crossing to Bardsey Island.
We began the project in March 2018 and finished in September last year (2019)
It's an undertaking to be thoroughly recommended. Even if you don't want to walk the whole stretch it can be divided into sections and is near enough to our area to be completed in the way I have described i.e. day walks. Some parts are more demanding than others and some, including the coast of Llyn and the crossing to Bardsey, could be a Sunday outing. For the most part it is well signposted (there is a comprehensive guidebook which I am happy to lend) and it crosses a great variety of countryside with amazing views.
An additional feature is the pilgrim's passport, to be collected at the visitor's centre at Basingwerk. As the walker passes through certain points, a church or village shop, the passport can be stamped to validate progress. The woodcut stamps have been designed by primary school children and are charming.
For the most part we were fortunate with the weather and had plenty of excitement along the way, taking avoiding action due to large bull in field, our poor navigation, mud, bridge out of commission (wade/swim?) etc. We met many interesting people along the way, farmers, dog walkers, local inhabitants, overseas visitors and so on.
I wrote a diary which is illustrated with photos, if anyone would like to borrow it you are welcome.
If you enjoy walking this could be the path for you.
Sue Mortimer
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