St Wite's Way Pilgrimage
Find rest for your soul walking St Wite's Way
St Wite’s Way is a historic and transformative pilgrimage experience for those who are seeking rest, restoration and renewal.
The pilgrimage can be enjoyed both physically or virtually and, though rooted in Christian spirituality, is open to everyone no matter your faith and tradition.
Take time to pause, listen and look more deeply within.
About the pilgrimage
Welcome to St Wite's Way, a pilgrimage experience following in the footsteps of Dorset's Patron Saint, St Wite brought to you by the Golden Cap Churches.
All are welcome to our days that creatively explore spirituality inspired by the example of St Wite through walking, meditation, story telling and art.
The mysterious ruins of St Gabriel's church
The spectacular views from Golden Cap
Spring hedgerow on 'The Way'
Drawing on the life of St Wite, and her personal embodiment of both courageous action and sacred healing, the pilgrimage literally follows in the footsteps of St Wite and past pilgrims. Each pilgrimage experience will visit St Wite’s shrine, renowned through the ages as a place of healing and renewal. Although her ministry was rooted in Christian spirituality, the activities and reflections we share are not from any particular tradition. There will be plenty of time, space and encouragement to engage with the pilgrimage experience in and through your own spiritual way.
At the heart of the experience is the Golden Way which is a one day 8 mile/6 hr walk which takes us to sacred sites along the Way and up onto the Golden Cap, the highest headland on the south coast of England. As we walk, there will be opportunities to stop, reflect and meditate/pray in ‘moments of encounter’ facilitated by our pilgrimage guides.
“Thank you for such a wonderful and thought provoking day. It took me a step forward in my faith and for me this is priceless.”
-A happy pilgrim
A pilgrimage with the Bishop of Salisbury
In June 2023, we were joined by the Bishop of Salisbury on the St Wite's Way. We were fortunate enough to have this special walk filmed by the BBC. You can see how our time together went, by watching the video below.
“Stand At the Crossroads and Look. Look for the ancient paths. Ask Where the Good Way is and walk in it and you will find rest for your soul.”
-the prophet Jeremiah
About St Wite
The Holy Shrine of St Wite, Dorset’s patron saint has been a site of pilgrimage for over 1,000 years. Those seeking healing and help have made their journey to the shrine throughout the centuries.
In medieval times, pilgrims would stop at the Shave Cross Inn to rest and have their heads shaved as an act of penance and preparation before making their way to St Candida and the Holy Cross, often on their knees for the last couple of miles of the journey.
One of the abiding mysteries of St Wite is how her shrine escaped desecration during the 16th century Reformation. In the upheaval of those times many sacred shrines and religious artefacts were destroyed and burned. Only the shrine of St Wite and the shrine of King Edward the Confessor in Westminster Abbey were undisturbed, meaning there is an unbroken connection with a deep history of pilgrimage to West Dorset.
St Wite’s Way has several walking and reflection routes and activities that take in the traditions associated with St Wite and the beautiful, sacred landscape of West Dorset. In walking the Way, we will be connected with journeys of pilgrims past and present as together we explore the mystery of this place.
St Wite by John 'The Icon'
Are you interested in joining an upcoming pilgrimage? Get your tickets here.