Falmouth Way pilgrimage in Cornwall is new walk in Falmouth and Penryn

The Falmouth Way joins the Saints’ Way, the Cornish Celtic Way and the Bodmin Way as a recognised route for both Christian pilgrims and tourists.

It is accompanied by a booklet guiding visitors around a series of nine walks, between a dozen churches in the area around Falmouth and Penryn.

The booklet also encourages walkers to consider the natural world around them as they walk, and is available for free at local churches.

It was launched by the Right Reverend Hugh Nelson, Bishop of St Germans, at a well-attended event in the grounds of Budock Church on Saturday.

Bishop Hugh told those gathered: “I think what you’re doing is absolutely fantastic,” and noted the Falmouth Way’s connections with the other routes of pilgrimage in the county.

“It reminds us that this new path was walked by the great saints who brought the faith to Cornwall,” he said.

“The very first Christians were known as the followers of the way. By calling this new route the Falmouth Way, you’re doing something deeply and profoundly ancient.”

Rev Geoffrey Bennett, vicar of Budock Church where the launch took place (Image: Alec Charles)

Bishop Hugh also spoke of his hope that these walks through the Cornish countryside would inspire walkers in their care and consideration for the natural environment.

“When you go for a walk, you make a choice, the choice of which way to take,” he added. “I hope that those who walk the Falmouth Way will make the choice for creation.

“We all have to make choices in this world – whether we want a world that heats up as our biodiversity disappears – or whether we want a different kind of world.

“I hope that everyone who walks this way will be open to change and will be a bit changed by the experience.”

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Representatives of neighbouring parishes also attended the launch event, to make public pledges as to their own commitments to the environment. These included the creation of a nature garden, the hosting of nature talks, keeping records of wildlife in churchyards, increasing rainwater-saving facilities, extending wildflower plots, and using church land to grow fruit and vegetables to help feed their communities.

The vicar of Budock parish, the Reverend Geoffrey Bennett, enthusiastically welcomed the Falmouth Way initiative.

“It’s quite amazing,” he said. “There’s been a great team working on it. People have really taken to it – it’s really got legs. The idea is that it will appeal to all ages and generations.”

Volunteers behind the project Lucy Thompson and Lorna Crewes (Image: Alec Charles)

The Falmouth Way project was devised and developed by local volunteers Lucy Thompson and Lorna Crewes.

Lucy said: “We wanted to forge links between our churches and at the same time to appreciate the beauty and wonder of creation.

“We hope these walks will bring visitors to enjoy everything our very special area has to offer.”

Co-volunteer Lorna is also responsible for the managed wilding of the churchyard at Budock, which has created a space for plants, wildlife and visitors to the church.

“We want to remind people about the world around us, that people and nature are here together,” she added.