Southampton has long been a city defined by departure — a port where ships have carried travellers, merchants, and explorers out into the world for centuries. Now, it has taken on new significance for walkers and pilgrims: the city has officially been recognised as part of the Camino de Santiago network, marked by the unveiling of a granite milestone at Holyrood Church in April 2025.
It’s an exciting development that opens up a new chapter in the story of British pilgrimage. Here at Walk the Camino, we’ve been following the growth of the UK Camino routes with great interest — and this milestone feels like a real turning point! Learn more about it below, and feel free to contact us if you have any questions about our tours.
What Is the Southampton Milestone and What Does It Mean?
The marker, known in Galician as a mouteira, was unveiled in a ceremony in April 2026. Shipped directly from Spain, the granite stone now sits along the QE2 Mile near Holyrood Church, marking Southampton’s official place on the St James’ Way.
The St James’ Way is a 68-mile route running between Reading and Southampton, which connects with the Camino Inglés, one of the main official routes of the Camino de Santiago. The Southampton milestone now officially marks the end of the St James’ Way in England.
The route’s connection to St James is also reflected in Reading’s St James’ Church, located close to the historic Abbey Quarter, where many pilgrims traditionally began their journey. Together with Reading Abbey, the church reinforces the route’s deep medieval links to St James, the patron saint associated with the Camino de Santiago. This historic connection helps establish both Reading and Southampton as recognised points within the wider Camino pilgrimage network.
Holyrood Church is a fitting location for all of this. Built in 1320 and known historically as the Church of the Sailors, it has served generations of travellers departing from the port. Today, it stands as a memorial to the Merchant Navy, destroyed in the Blitz of 1940.
The Medieval Roots of Southampton’s Pilgrim Connection
This isn’t entirely new territory for Southampton. The city’s connection to the Camino actually stretches back to the Middle Ages, when pilgrims would travel to Reading Abbey to venerate the Hand of St James — one of the most significant relics in the country — before continuing to Southampton and setting sail for the Galician ports of A Coruña or Ferrol. From there, they would walk the remaining stretch to Santiago de Compostela. The new milestone essentially revives and formalises that ancient connection, placing Southampton within a wider cultural and spiritual network that spans the whole of Europe.
Walking England’s St James’ Way: What to Expect
For pilgrims interested in starting their Camino journey in England, the St James’ Way offers a wonderful introduction. The route from Reading to Southampton covers around 68 miles and takes most walkers approximately six days to complete. Along the way, you pass through the countryside, the ancient city of Winchester (where a second mouteira was installed at St Bartholomew’s Church), and a patchwork of market towns and quiet lanes that feel a world away.
The Southampton mouteira sits at the end of this journey, towards God’s House Tower, the official end point of the UK section. It’s a genuinely evocative walk, particularly if you allow think about all the pilgrims who made this same journey 600 years ago, with a sea voyage still ahead.
Of course, Southampton is a departure point, not a finish line. Once pilgrims reach the city, the next step for many is to cross to Spain and join the Camino Inglés in Galicia, walking the final 75 km (from A Coruña) or 118 km (from Ferrol) to Santiago de Compostela.
Why the Camino Inglés Deserves More Attention
The Camino Inglés is one of the quieter, less crowded routes to Santiago — and that, for many pilgrims, is precisely its appeal. It winds through Galicia’s lush rolling countryside, passing charming hamlets and offering the kind of peaceful, reflective walking experience that can feel harder to find on the busier French Way during peak season. Around 35,000 pilgrims walk the Camino Inglés each year, a fraction of the numbers on other routes, which means you’re far more likely to find solitude when you want it.
If you’re trying to decide which route is right for you, our guide to which is the best Camino to walk takes you through the key differences between all the major options. The Camino Inglés is particularly well-suited to first-time pilgrims, those with limited time, or anyone coming from the UK who wants their journey to feel connected to the broader Camino network.
Planning Your Camino from the UK
At Walk the Camino, we’ve been organising bespoke Camino tours since 2005. We work with each client to create a journey that suits their pace, preferences, and goals. Whether you’re planning to join the Camino from Southampton, fly to Spain and pick up the Inglés, or take an entirely different route altogether, we’ll help you put together something memorable.
Our ultimate Camino guide covers everything from choosing a route and packing your bag to fitness preparation and what to expect on the trail. And if you’d like more detailed help with the planning process, our step-by-step guide to walking the Camino de Santiago takes you through it all in practical terms.
If you’re ready to start planning your own journey, get in touch with our team — we’d love to help you find your way.
