New Pilgrimage Resource Launched for Rural Churches

BBC Series Sparks Fresh Interest in Faith Journeys

We are excited to release Pilgrimage: A Missional Guide for Rural Churches — a new, practical resource designed to help churches explore pilgrimage as a powerful expression of mission and hospitality.

The timing couldn’t be better. The BBC’s latest Pilgrimage series, The Road Through the Alps, has sparked a national conversation around spiritual journeys, belief, and belonging. The programme, which follows seven well-known individuals on a 300km trek through Austria and Switzerland, has drawn attention for its honest portrayal of faith in its many forms. This renewed cultural interest is opening doors for rural churches to engage their communities in fresh and creative ways.

Rooted in the rural context, our new guide offers step-by-step support to help churches design local pilgrimage routes, offer reflective spaces, and welcome both seasoned pilgrims and curious visitors alike. Whether it’s a mile-long trail between two churches or a full-day route through the countryside, pilgrimage can become a meaningful part of a church’s outreach and spiritual life.

Allied to this, the new *TryPilgrimage website — developed by Hope Together and The Methodist Church — offers a welcoming space for individuals to explore the idea of pilgrimage as part of their own faith journey. We’re delighted that they’re also signposting our rural guide as a next step for those looking to connect with local churches and walking routes.

The Arthur Rank Centre is committed to equipping and encouraging rural churches across the UK, and we believe pilgrimage offers something both ancient and urgently relevant. It brings together faith, land, hospitality, and community — and this new guide is here to help churches bring those threads together.