New trail in England honors first king, 1,100 years after his coronation

A new 100-mile heritage trail has been launched in Wiltshire to commemorate 1,100 years since the crowning of Æthelstan, England’s first true king. The Athelstan Pilgrim Way, which begins at Malmesbury Abbey—where Æthelstan was buried in 939AD—links 36 churches across the North Wiltshire countryside in a celebration of the monarch’s legacy, reports the BBC.

The route, launched in June 2024 as part of the wider Athelstan 1,100 celebrations, is divided into six circular walking trails and two long-distance cycling loops. Although it does not stretch to Kingston-upon-Thames—where Æthelstan was crowned in 925—it is rooted in Malmesbury, the spiritual and symbolic heart of his reign.

"For the first time in history, the ethnic English peoples were all ruled by one king. After taking the north in 927, he could claim to rule over all the people of Anglo-Saxon descent, or the English as they began calling themselves," local historian Tony McAleavy told the BBC. 

Born around 894AD, Æthelstan, grandson of Alfred the Great, united Anglo-Saxon kingdoms and conquered Viking-held Jorvik (modern-day York), becoming the first king to rule all of what would become England.

Anne Goodyer, a volunteer at Malmesbury’s Athelstan Museum, reflected on the king’s enduring local significance:

"I'd never really heard of Æthelstan until I moved here from Manchester. But this is the heartland of English history; he's remembered very, very fondly here."

Developed with the help of local contributors like David Pope, the trail aims to offer a historical, spiritual and cultural journey. Pilgrims can collect stamps at each church using a "Pilgrim Passport".

"Some are interested in history. For others, it's a spiritual journey, or a way to escape the humdrum of daily life… People take what they want from it; they discover the routes at their own pace," Pope told the BBC.

Pope also noted the mystery surrounding the king’s final resting place. Though his tomb lies in Malmesbury Abbey, his bones were likely lost during the Reformation or English Civil War. Locals hope his remains may one day be rediscovered, much like Richard III.

The route was inspired in part by Hilary Peters, a dedicated walker and pilgrim who envisioned the trail but passed away in 2022 before its completion.

Reflecting on the project, Pope, who is Welsh, added with a smile: "I certainly wouldn't have approved of Æthelstan if I lived in the 10th Century."

Pilgrims like Dr Sheona Beaumont, the route’s “Artist in Residence”, are documenting the journey over time. 

"Pilgrimages are back in fashion… Even if they're not religious, people identify with the local churches on the route. They're part of our landscapes. They're part of our shared history," she noted. 

The trail's blend of rural beauty, historic churches and forgotten legacy is already attracting interest. The route passes through ancient Roman roads, tiny medieval churches like Bremilham—the smallest in use in England—and heritage-rich villages such as Brokenborough and Foxley.

In Malmesbury, Æthelstan’s memory lives on not just in museums but in local names like Athelstan Court, Athelstan Care Home, and even the legend of a magician known as The Great Athelstaniao.

By Sabina Mammadli