Countrystride #47: LAKELAND PILGRIMS

...in which we embark on a virtual pilgrimage with John Fleetwood and Stephen Wright, the founders of two Cumbrian pilgrim trails. As we wander, from the great rock cathedrals of Scafell Crag and Napes Needle to the softly-spoken churches around the Northern Fells, we ask what it means to be a pilgrim; we unearth the history of Saint Kentigern – Cumbria's great saint; we consider why long distance walking generates such a deep bond with the landscape; and we ask what spiritual journeys have given to Stephen and John.

• You can find out more about the Kentigern Way, and buy Stephen's The Kentigern Pilgrimage guidebook at www.ionabooks.com/the-kentigern-way.html. His Grasmere book is at Lulu.com

• You can find out more about John's Lakeland Pilgrimage at http://lakelandpilgrimage.blogspot.com

• You can find out more about pilgrimage in Britain and buy the book Britain's Pilgrim Places at https://britishpilgrimage.org/portfolio/a-lakeland-pilgrimage/

St Kentigern’s Church, Mungrisdale.

John Fleetwood, on his Lakeland Pilgrimage.

Stephen Wright en route to his beloved Carrock Fell.

Stephen.