Pilgrimages

The Arthurian Society 'pilgrimages' are excursions to locations near and far relating to the careers of King Arthur, his knights, his historical contemporaries and those who commemorated him in later ages. Traditionally, these take the forms of a day pilgrimage in Michaelmas, a week-end in Hilary and a week at the end of Trinity Term. In recent years, a shortage of members who can drive, combined with the geographical spread of members which means that many don't come from right-hand drive countries, has meant that this pattern has become impossible to perpetuate, but its restoration is enshrined as one of the long-term goals of the Society.

In Michaelmas, we usually visit `local' sites, including the White Horse and Dragon Hill, Wayland Smithy, the Ridgeway, Avebury stone circle, West Kennet Long Barrow and Silbury Hill.

 

The most usual destinations for the Hilary pilgrimage are South Wales (see below) and sites in the Southwest, such as Winchester and its Round Table, South Cadbury hill fort, and of course Glastonbury;

With a week for dashing about in our (un-)trusty minibus, summer pilgrimages can range farther afield! In the past, Arthurians have invaded North and South Wales, Scotland, the North of England, and even Brittany.

The summer of 1994's trip was to South Wales, where one of the most striking sites we visited was St Govan's Chapel in Pembrokeshire (I think!), which I believe has a Gawain connection.

We went to Cornwall in summer 1995, where we rented a cottage in St Agnes for the week. You can read about our escapades here. This article includes links to some pictures.

On several occasions we have gained "special access" from English Heritage to the inner circle at Stonehenge after closing time once a year or so.