On Saturday, 14 September, a group of walkers from our church community embarked on an adventure that was both spiritually uplifting and physically challenging. Joining thousands across the country in the annual Ride+Stride event organised by the National Churches Trust, the group's journey had a unique twist – and was nicknamed the Camino de St Michaels. Zoe Homes shares a writeup from the day:

'Our mission was simple: to walk a 13-mile loop through our Benefice, visiting every place of worship along the way. The strenuous route promised us 1,500 feet of ascent, and an opportunity to connect with nature, our community and our faith. 

The day began at St Michael and All Angels in Bishop’s Cleeve. Known for its beautiful stained glass windows depicting scenes from the Bible and the oldest in-use oak staircase in Britain, this was our start and finish point – our aim being to arrive back before the team serving refreshments went home for the day. 

With backpacks slung over our shoulders, we set off through the village, picking up a picturesque footpath through fields to Southam. We took a few minutes to visit the Church of the Ascension, before tackling the main ascent for the day. We climbed up to Cleeve Hill via Queen’s Wood, surprised but very happy at how little mud there was in this notoriously squelchy bit of countryside. 

With the hardest uphill section done, we picked up the Cotswold Way to cross the Common. While there isn’t an active church in Cleeve Hill anymore, it’s a beloved spot for outdoor worship and reflection, and is the home to our regular Church on the Hill activity. 

After a quick pit stop at the Golf Club, our pilgrimage took us over Nottingham Hill and down into Gotherington (for the first time). We walked up and around Crane Hill to reach Oxenton. We had a peek inside St John the Baptist Church, which dates back to the 12th century and features a unique Norman doorway – and a family of bats! Just a little further along the lane, we stopped at Oxenton Village Hall, where hospitality in the form of tea and homemade cake was incredibly welcome. 

The last couple of miles of our route involved walking across farmland to Woolstone to visit the Church of St Martin de Tours, famous for its medieval wall paintings and historic architecture. Then there was more farmland to get us to Gotherington, where we touched the front door of The Old Chapel, the final place of worship on our tour, before walking over fields to bring us full circle in Bishop’s Cleeve. 

Nineteen people (and one enthusiastic dog) participated in this walk of faith and fitness. Some joined at the start and left us part-way through, while others joined in along the way. Seven steadfast walkers completed the full circuit. 

We couldn’t have asked for better weather – bright sunshine with just enough warmth balanced by a gentle cool breeze made it perfect for walking. And the camaraderie among the group was heartwarming. We shared stories, laughed, and enjoyed each other’s company, making the journey as memorable as the challenge. 

A huge thank you to all those who have supported our efforts by sponsoring us so far. Funds raised from this sponsored walk are being split equally between the Gloucestershire Historic Churches Trust and our own local work in Bishop's Cleeve and the surrounding villages. So far we have raised over £1,000, which is brilliant. Our JustGiving page will be open for a little while longer yet, so please do consider a donation if you can >> justgiving.com/page/rideandstridestmichaels

And I guess the question is… what should we do for Ride+Stride in 2025?! Ideas welcome.'