St Frideswide’s Way was launched in June 2024 by Christ Church Cathedral and the CSJ as the latest Camino Inglés pilgrimage route in the South of England.

The Route

The four-day journey takes you from the shrine of St Frideswide in Oxford through the countryside of the Thames Valley to the ruins of Reading Abbey, where it connects to St James’ Way.

The route starts at Christ Church Cathedral. From there, pilgrims follow the River Thames along the Thames Path National Trail. This path passes pilgrimage sites and historic towns, such as Abingdon, Wallingford, Dorchester on Thames and Pangbourne. Upon reaching Reading, the route finishes at St James Catholic Church, which is built within the ruins of Reading Abbey. Here it connects with the St James Way. Pilgrims may continue on this Camino Inglés via the ancient capital city of England, Winchester, to the port of Southampton.

The route has no specific waymarks because it closely follows a National Trail, which is extensively waymarked.

Pilgrims starting out at Christ Church Cathedral should report to the Porters Lodge at Tom Tower on St Aldates Street with their credencial. You will be granted free access to the Cathedral to pray at the Shrine of St Frideswide and to collect your first stamp at the Cathedral Welcome Desk. If you would like a blessing from a member of the Cathedral clergy, please contact [email protected] in advance of your visit.

About Saint Frideswide

Saint Frideswide was an Anglo-Saxon princess who lived at the turn of the 8th century. She is remembered as the founder of a religious community of a priory on the site of what is now Christ Church, a joint foundation of a Cathedral, a college of Oxford University, and a choir school. She is the patron saint of Oxford and its university.

Her name is a modern form of the Old English name Friðuswiþ, formed of the elements friþ “peace” and swiþ “strong” and was naturally given to this Camino.

The symbol for St Frideswide’s Way is a scallop shell surrounded by a wreath of rosemary.  Rosemary represents healing, faithful love and loyalty and is a reminder of Saint Frideswide’s faithful ministry of healing.

Companion Guidebook

Christ Church Cathedral’s guide, A Pilgrim’s Companion to Saint Frideswide’s Way, provides route information and directions along with prayers and guided reflections spanning each day of the pilgrimage for you and your group. You can also find information about each of the churches along the route.

The Pilgrim’s Companion is available for £11.99 from the CSJ’s online shop (click here), or can be purchased in person at the Christ Church Cathedral Welcome Desk in Oxford.

Pilgrim Passport and Stamps

A CSJ credencial may be obtained from here or from the Christ Church Cathedral Welcome desk.

Along the route, stamps are available at Church of England churches and ‘stamping stations’ established by the Walk the Thames company. A few Catholic churches have stamps and offer a unique fivefold pilgrimage to Our Lady - click to download details.

A second version of the completion certificate, the Via de Sanctus Iacobus, is available at ‘end’ venues in Southampton to acknowledge pilgrims who have walked both the St Frideswide’s Way and St James’ Way.

Flood Warning

From October to April, sections of the river Thames between Oxford and Reading are prone to flooding. Updates on the status of the Thames Path can be checked at this link.

Further information

For further information about St Frideswide’s Way, please contact the Christ Church Cathedral office by emailing [email protected].