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Pilgrimage

What you will experience on the Peak Wesley Way and how to book your pilgrimage

The Peak Wesley Way is a contemporary opportunity to engage with the ancient spiritual practice of pilgrimage within the beauty of the Peak Park.

Starting in the spa town of Matlock, you will journey north from the gentle White Peak to the more austere Dark Peak. Having walked together for six days, your pilgrimage will conclude in the village of Edale in the Hope Valley. Your pilgrimage will take you through some England’s most breathtaking natural beauty, and yet still a landscape that bears the marks of generations of farmers, industrialists and travellers who have trod these paths before you. The travellers included John Wesley’s Methodist preachers. Ordinary people who made extraordinary journeys to bring their good news to the villages you will visit. People who founded the chapels, still in use as places of worship to this day, in which you will find overnight sanctuary.

View Itinerary

From: £100 per person*

Includes five nights sleeping in our chapels, journal pads for each pilgrim and a complimentary guide book for your group.

For groups of 2 to 6 people. Concessionary discounts available for children, students, recipients of some statutory benefits.
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  • * based on a group of 6 pilgrims

Day to Day Itinerary

  • Trip Start: Matlock
  • Trip End: Edale
  • Total Days: 6
  • 2-6 people
  • Moderate - Challenging
Day 1:

Matlock to Youlgrave

Ascend the medieval Limestone Way northwards from the spa town of Matlock, incorporating the 14th century Hermitage at Cratcliffe Tor, concluding at Youlgrave, a village of 500 dwellings served by its own private water supply.

9 miles / 466m ascent / 380m descent
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Day 2:

Youlgrave to Great Longstone

A day of beautiful countryside views and riverside walks, incorporating the “shy” River Lathkill, Victorian weirs, the market town of Bakewell (home of the famous pudding) and the stunning Monsal viaduct.

8-10 miles / 319m ascent / 302m descent
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Day 3:

Great Longstone to Baslow

Travelling through the last of the limestone White Peak and its ancient lead mining Rakes, until it meets the harsher grit of the Dark Peak at Baslow. The churches and chapels you pass all have stories to tell, of famous and not so famous residents, as does the toll bridge controlling the entrance to Baslow.

6 miles / 197m ascent / 276m descent
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Day 4:

Baslow to Hathersage

Ascending to the top of Baslow, Froggatt and Curbar edges affords spectacular views of the Hope Valley. Points of interest include memorial to Catholic priests martyred days before the Spanish Armada was spotted off the coast of Cornwall. If you pack your swimwear you may even be able to take a dip in Hathersage Lido.

8 miles / 308m ascent / 270m descent
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Day 5:

Hathersage to Castleton

A journey through the Hope Valley, with Mam Tor the “Shivering Mountain” in view for much of the day. Along the picturesque route you will encounter many clues to the changing ways people of the valley have lived, worked and made meaning of life.

8 miles / 179m ascent / 150m descent
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Day 6:

Castleton to Edale

Castleton was once a prolific mining area, including semi-precious Blue John Stone. This area was also the site of the 1932 Kinder Scout Mass Trespass, fighting for the “right to roam”. Your final day includes a short but steep ascent and a visit to the recently restored Methodist chapel in Barber Booth, built within a few years of the death of John Wesley.

4 miles / 311m ascent / 248m descent
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Accommodation

  • You will have exclusive access to all or part of each chapel as your accommodation for the night from 4pm until 9:30am the following morning. This space will then be available for church and community activities until the next group of pilgrims arrive.
  • All chapels are equipped with camp beds, toilet, shower, microwave, kettle and toaster.
  • Each has its own distinctive characteristics, with information on display about the chapel and the village. You should expect to find a space that is clean and comfortable but not luxurious. We hope you will each to be for you (as for others before you) a holy and peaceful space.
  • Methodism has a long history of supporting people suffering from addiction to alcohol and other drugs. For this reason alcohol is not permitted in any of our chapels.
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Inside of church, looking down the centre aisle.
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Availability

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Departures & Pricing

Prices to undertake the Peak Wesley Way start at £130 per person, based on a group of six pilgrims.

Price includes five nights sleeping in our chapels, journal pads for each pilgrim and a complimentary guide book for your group.

Further discounts are available for children, students, recipients of some statutory benefits. Group sizes 2 to 6 people.

Other Information

The finer details of the Pilgrimage. Got a question? Check out our FAQ's, or contact us.

One complimentary pilgrimage guide book per group, with route instructions, background information and prompts to help your reflections as you journey. You can purchase additional copies if you wish.

Journal pad for each member of your group – for you to record your thoughts, memories and reflections.

Guide books and journal pads will be posted to you in advance of your pilgrimage.

Personal welcome from members of our volunteer team in some of our chapels.

Overnight accommodation in Youlgrave, Great Longstone, Baslow, Hathersage and Castleton.

The first day of walking from Matlock to Youlgrave is nine miles. Depending on where you are travelling from, you may wish to book overnight accommodation in Matlock for the night before you start your pilgrimage

Map and compass – We recommend that you bring an OS Explorer Map (OL24 + OL1) in a map case and a compass to accompany the guide book. Parts of the route do not have mobile phone reception. We do have the GPX files available to download.

Sleeping bag – whilst our chapels have low level heating, some have high ceilings and can become cold overnight.

Food – you will encounter cafes, shops and pubs along the Peak Wesley Way. Some information about these will be available in the guide book and the chapels. However opening hours can be irregular and so we recommend that you carry some food at all times.

Walking boots and waterproofs – paths in the Peaks can be rough, stony, muddy, boggy and frequently hilly. Weather often changes from valley to valley, so don’t rely on the accuracy of national or regional weather forecasts.

Walking 50 miles over six days, carrying most of what one needs for the journey, is an unfamiliar experience for many of us. Many people find the discipline of practice walks and determining what needs to be packed a significant preparatory phase of their pilgrimage experience.

We have compiled a list of weblinks to friendly pubs, restaurants, cafes and shops for villages that you will be staying in. It may be a good idea to make reservations ahead during peak times, and check opening times especially out of peak season. You will need to call the day before if you wish to place delivery or sandwich orders. Visit the page for the latest information.

Got A Question?
“What a wonderful stay we’ve had. Thank you for fresh milk, biscuits and fruit - lovely touch. Very lovely facilities here - all you need, even the candle glowing in the centre of our table as we had our meal! I’ve loved the prayers in the book and feel at home here."
Sarah, Karen and Marina2024 Pilgrims
"We’ve been spreading the word to lots of walkers about the pilgrimage route on our way. God bless you in this leap of faith. We’ve also enjoyed visiting the chapel at Little Longstone and interesting amusing history. You get a real sense of connecting with communities, albeit briefly, staying in chapels and learning about this area."
Sarah, Karen and Marina2024 Pilgrims
"We loved our time on the Peak Wesley Way, varied scenery, lots of interesting stops like Bakewell, Chatsworth, Hathersage lido, Monsal Head viaduct and Mam Tor on final day. Warm chapels, great facilities, super guidebook and a sense of peace & serenity that grew everyday. Thank you for your hospitality."
Sarah, Karen and Marina2024 Pilgrim
"Well equipped kitchen, comfortable beds, excellent location, very clean, a lovely historic building and a wonderful warm welcome."
Alan & Janet2023 Pilgrims
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Booking Summary

Please select the start date only, this will automatically book out the 5 nights accommodation at the different chapels.

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To qualify for a concession discount you must fall under one of the following: under 18 at the time of starting the pilgrimage; a student in full time education; or in receipt of statutory benefits (Universal Credit, Income Support, Pension Credit, Disabled Living Allowance, Employment Support Allowance, Personal Independence Payment).
To qualify for a concession discount you must fall under one of the following: under 18 at the time of starting the pilgrimage; a student in full time education; or in receipt of statutory benefits (Universal Credit, Income Support, Pension Credit, Disabled Living Allowance, Employment Support Allowance, Personal Independence Payment)
To qualify for a concession discount you must fall under one of the following: under 18 at the time of starting the pilgrimage; a student in full time education; or in receipt of statutory benefits (Universal Credit, Income Support, Pension Credit, Disabled Living Allowance, Employment Support Allowance, Personal Independence Payment)
To qualify for a concession discount you must fall under one of the following: under 18 at the time of starting the pilgrimage; a student in full time education; or in receipt of statutory benefits (Universal Credit, Income Support, Pension Credit, Disabled Living Allowance, Employment Support Allowance, Personal Independence Payment)
To qualify for a concession discount you must fall under one of the following: under 18 at the time of starting the pilgrimage; a student in full time education; or in receipt of statutory benefits (Universal Credit, Income Support, Pension Credit, Disabled Living Allowance, Employment Support Allowance, Personal Independence Payment)
Additional discretionary discounts may be available for those facing financial hardship. Please contact us directly.
As a charity we want to make Peak Wesley Way accessible to as many people as possible by keeping our prices low and offering discounts to people least able to pay. Voluntary contributions from pilgrims help us achieve this.
You receive one guidebook per booking as standard
Please select a date first.

Pilgrim Details

Primary Pilgrim

The primary pilgrim must be over 18, and by booking as primary pilgrim understands that they are responsible for the safety of any under 18's within the group.
You may be asked for proof of concession eligibility
This is the address where we send your guidebook(s) and journal pads to.

Additional Pilgrims

Pilgrim 2

You may be asked for proof of concession eligibility

Pilgrim 3

You may be asked for proof of concession eligibility

Pilgrim 4

You may be asked for proof of concession eligibility

Pilgrim 5

You may be asked for proof of concession eligibility

Pilgrim 5

You may be asked for proof of concession eligibility

Additional Information

What's included:
  • In the chapels we will provide – camp beds, pillows, toilet, shower, microwave, toaster, fridge, cutlery, crockery
  • For the walking element of the pilgrimage we will provide – guide book, most path junctions will feature way marker signs
  • At some chapels a member of our team will drop by the chapel to offer a personal local welcome.
  • Pilgrims will have dedicated access to the chapels/ parts of chapels at specified times (between 4pm and 9:30am), with chapels being used by local village communities during the day. In some chapels there may be other activities happening in clearly separated parts of the building in the evenings
  • A phone number to be contacted in case of emergencies
Pilgrims are responsible for:
  • Travel insurance
  • Your own safety whilst walking, not getting lost (we recommend OS Explorer OL1 and OL24 maps), having suitable clothing and footwear
  • Leaving the chapels as you would wish to find them
  • Bringing sleeping bags
  • Providing your own food and drink – we will provide information about local shops/ pubs
  • Safety of any children in your group
Pilgrimage rules:
  • Alcohol is not permitted in our chapels. Smoking cigarettes or vapes indoors is not permitted. No fires,naked flames or disposable BBQs in chapel grounds
  • Our chapels are in residential areas, and we ask pilgrims to be mindful of neighbours.
  • We are not able to have dogs (other than registered assistance dogs) stay in our chapels
  • You may be asked to provide evidence of entitlement to concessionary discounts
Please select a date first.

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