We’re proud to be a trade partner for England Originals and we’re delighted to introduce a new itinerary exploring the ancient roots of faith and religion in England. The four-day itinerary encompasses the spiritual powerhouses of northern England, Durham and York, before following in the footsteps of pilgrims through Salisbury and Canterbury.

Awe-inspiring Durham Cathedral

England Originals, which is brought to you by England’s Historic Cities – a partnership of 13 historic cities in England, has created an inspiring journey by car or train through England’s most historic cities of faith.

Durham

Our starting point is Durham, known as the Spiritual Powerhouse of Northern England, and there is no better way to begin your visit by marvelling at awe-inspiring Durham Cathedral, the centrepiece of the Northern Saints Trails and one of Europe’s greatest Romanesque churches.

Durham Cathedral © England Originals

Explore the resting place of St Cuthbert and the Venerable Bede, with group tours and spiritual reflections available. After a group lunch at the cathedral’s Undercroft Café, visit The Auckland Project in Bishop Auckland. Once home to the powerful Prince Bishops of Durham, you’ll now find the UK’s only Faith Museum, offering a powerful interpretation of 6,000 years of faith. 

The city of Durham © England Originals

Extend your stay in the county to explore more of the Northern Saints Trails, a network of pilgrimage routes inspired by the region’s early Christian heritage and ancient pilgrimage routes.

York

Moving on to York, which can be reached from Durham by train in 45 minutes or by car in an hour and a half, you will find a city steeped in religious history.

York has been a centre of faith and spiritual heritage for centuries. Dominated by York Minster - one of the largest Gothic cathedrals in Northern Europe, the city’s streets are woven with ancient churches, sacred sites and places of quiet reflection, telling stories of devotion across the ages.

Majestic York Minster

Start your day at York Minster, one of the world’s most magnificent cathedrals. Explore its vast spaces filled with worship and music, or discover quiet corners with hidden treasures and inspiring stories. A guided tour reveals the complete story of York Minster, its art, history and music as they evolved with the city through the centuries.

In the afternoon visit The Bar Convent Living Heritage Centre, established in 1686, when Catholicism was illegal, the Bar Convent is the oldest convent in the UK and the oldest surviving place of Catholic worship after Henry VIII closed them all down in the 1530s.

The Shambles in York © England Originals

Our other suggestions for this gem of a city include a walking tour of York’s medieval city walls and monastic sites; a visit to All Saints North Street, one of York's finest medieval churches with one of the finest collections of early 15th century stained glass anywhere in the world, or a stroll along The Shambles, one of the best preserved medieval streets in Europe.

Canterbury

All England’s pilgrimages lead to Canterbury, home to the UNESCO World Heritage site and the seat of the symbolic leader of the worldwide Anglican Communion, where visitors can stand in the very spot that Saint Thomas Becket was murdered. Canterbury can be reached from York by train in under four hours, or by car in around five hours.

Historic Canterbury

In the morning, discover the sights that pilgrims have long admired, starting with a visit to the oldest parish church in England, St Martin’s. From here, walk up to St Augustine’s Abbey and explore the evocative ruins of one of the most important historical religious centres in the country.

Stained-glass window at Canterbury Cathedral

Spend the rest of the day visiting Canterbury Cathedral, Mother Church of the worldwide Anglican Communion and England’s oldest cathedral. The infamous murder of Thomas Becket in the Cathedral in 1170 sparked millions of pilgrimages to Canterbury. Impressive highlights include the Romanesque crypt dating back to the 11th century, the 12th century early Gothic quire and the stunning collection of medieval stained-glass windows that depict miracles and royal connections.

Salisbury

Our holy tour ends in wonderful Salisbury, a leisurely journey of just under four hours by rail or three hours by road.

Start your day at Salisbury Cathedral, a place of worship, welcome and hospitality for over 800 years. Britain’s finest 13th-century cathedral, it inspires awe with its soaring spire, the tallest in the country, its peaceful cloisters, and treasures including the world’s oldest working clock (1386) and the best-preserved original Magna Carta.

Magnificent Salisbury Cathedral © England Originals

More than a masterpiece of medieval architecture, the cathedral has long been a destination for pilgrims and seekers of faith. Visitors can join a variety of tours, from Tower and Library Tours to behind-the-scenes explorations of the Works Yard, or enjoy a general guided tour that brings the cathedral’s spiritual story to life.

Iconic Stonehenge

Stop for lunch at Fisherton Mill, an old grain mill, built in 1880, which now operates as an independent art gallery and shop, with artists’ studios and an award-winning café. In the afternoon and just 10 miles from the city centre, stands Stonehenge a World Heritage Site and one of the world’s most enigmatic sacred monuments. Long associated with ritual and ceremony, its orientation to the rising and setting sun suggests a deep spiritual significance.

Of course, there are many other historic sites in England with religious significance, so you may choose to extend your itinerary to visit Bath Abbey, for example, Carlisle Cathedral, Chester Cathedral or Lancaster Priory, to name just a few. 

If you or your group would like to enjoy a faith and religion tour of some of England’s finest cities, please contact our friendly team today and we will put together the perfect itinerary for you or your group. We also offer a wide range of bespoke pilgrimages and religious tours all over the United Kingdom and Ireland.

Find out more about our England Originals tours and our Pilgrimages and Religious Tours.