The St Edward's Way Pilgrimage runs over 30 miles between Wareham and Shaftesbury Abbey. It follows the route taken when the body of St Edward the Martyr was moved and reburied here.
St Edward, a boy king murdered possibly on the orders of his stepmother at Corfe, was originally buried at Wareham. Later in 979, for political reasons, his body was moved to Shaftesbury Abbey where it became an object of pilgrimage.
The present day pilgrimage path was developed by the Dorset Ramblers. Bishop Karen led a pilgrimage walk over three days in early September 2021.
Walk in the footsteps of a king. Explore the dramatic route taken after the murder of the boy King Edward the Martyr, a story that has captivated historians for hundreds of years.
Our free interactive map brings the journey to life with locations, context, and hidden details you won’t find anywhere else. Just look out for the St Edward's Way markers along the way.
The interactive map is perfect for curious walkers, history lovers, and anyone who enjoys a trail with a tale. Click here or on the map image above to access the interactive map on your device. A more detailed description of the walk route can also be found here.
A copy of the St Edward's Way map is also available to buy in the Abbey museum.
You can also download the digital mapping GPX files below. You can find out more about what these are, and how they work on the The British Pilgrimage Trust website via this link.
St Edward's Way - Wareham to Shaftesbury.gpx
