St James' Way Stages
The St James' Way in 5 stages — detailed stage-by-stage guide with distances, descriptions and accommodation for each section of the 66 miles pilgrimage through Berkshire & Hampshire.
The St James' Way is divided into 5 walking stages, covering the 66 miles route through Berkshire & Hampshire. Each stage ends at a town or village where you can find accommodation, rest, and prepare for the next day's walk.
Use our stage-by-stage St James' Way guide below to plan your walk, then use our route planning tool to book accommodation at each stage.
Stage-by-stage guide
Stage 1: Reading to Silchester (14 miles). Begin at the ruins of Reading Abbey — once the centre of the St James cult in England — and follow paths and lanes west through Stratfield Mortimer to the Roman walls of Silchester. View accommodation and details for the Reading to Silchester stage.
Stage 2: Silchester to Basingstoke (12 miles). Walk through open countryside past the Roman town to Bramley, whose parish church preserves medieval wall paintings, and on to the market town of Basingstoke. View accommodation and details for the Silchester to Basingstoke stage.
Stage 3: Basingstoke to Winchester (19 miles). The longest stage of the route: follow quiet lanes south-west through Dummer and the Hampshire farmland, then over the downs into Winchester, where pilgrims can claim the ancient Wayfarer's Dole — bread and ale — at the Hospital of St Cross. Many pilgrims break this day at Micheldever. View accommodation and details for the Basingstoke to Winchester stage.
Stage 4: Winchester to Eastleigh (11 miles). Follow the River Itchen south from Winchester, past St Catherine's Hill and its ruined chapel, into Eastleigh. View accommodation and details for the Winchester to Eastleigh stage.
Stage 5: Eastleigh to Southampton (10 miles). Continue down the Itchen valley to Southampton, the historic port from which medieval pilgrims set sail for Santiago de Compostela — where the medieval Holy Water Conduit still stands. View accommodation and details for the Eastleigh to Southampton stage.
Accommodation by stage
Each stage of the St James' Way ends at a town where you'll need overnight accommodation. The key towns are Reading, Basingstoke, Winchester, Southampton. Use our route planning tool to find and book pilgrim-friendly places to stay at each stage of your walk.
Book accommodation in advance, especially during summer months and weekends. Some stages have limited options, so planning ahead is essential.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many stages are there on the St James' Way?
The St James' Way has 5 stages, covering the 66 miles route. Each stage ends at a town or village with accommodation options.
Which stage is the longest on the St James' Way?
Stage lengths vary across the St James' Way. Check the stage-by-stage guide above for distances, and plan your daily walking distance accordingly.
Where do I find accommodation for each stage?
Use our route planning tool to find pilgrim-friendly accommodation at each stage of the St James' Way. The key towns for overnight stops are Reading, Basingstoke, Winchester, Southampton.
Explore the St James' Way
overview
accommodation