The English Way

In the Middle Ages, the Way of St James attracted peoples and groups from all over Europe, including ‘distant Europe’ ...

From Ferrol:

Length 112.4 Km
Difficulty Medium

From A Coruña:

Length 72.8 Km
Difficulty Medium

Scandinavian countries such as Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland and Iceland, and most especially, England, Scotland, Ireland and Flanders. Together, they helped create what is known today as the English Way. They came to Galicia by sea from their respective ports, arriving at Ferrol or A Coruña – as well as Viveiro and Ribadeo, on the Lugo coast. The strategic location of the ports of these two major Galician cities undoubtedly reinforced the way.

The English Way has two alternatives in Galicia. The route from A Coruña is shorter – 73 km – than the one departing from Ferrol – 112,5 km. Both have much to offer and a long history. They converge at the town of Bruma, following the last 40 km to Compostela together.

Coast on the English Way

O Eume Bridge

Enclosed balconies in A Coruña

View of Ferrol

Night view of the Tower of Hercules

The English Way has two alternatives in Galicia. The route from A Coruña is shorter – 73 km – than the one departing from Ferrol – 112,5 km. Both have much to offer and a long history. They converge at the town of Bruma, following the last 48 km to Compostela together.

The history of these pilgrimages began in the 12th century. In 1147, a troop of English, German and Flemish Crusaders visited the tomb of St. James. They were travelling to the Holy Land. Part of that expedition also took part in the Siege of Lisbon, where they helped the first king of Portugal to take the city that would become capital of the kingdom.

There is evidence of a number of important historic pilgrimages along the English Way. Icelandic monk Nicolás Bergsson has left us a written description of his journey on foot from Iceland to Rome via Santiago. Such a feat would take him five years, from 1154 to 1159. Two centuries later, during what is known as the Hundred Years’ War between France and England, the English would come to Santiago by sea. English ceramics and coins from the 14th and 15th centuries found in cathedral excavations, provide proof of the presence of these pilgrims. Offerings to the apostle have also left evidence of this route.

The break between King Henry VIII (1509–1547) and the Catholic Church over his divorce from Catherine of Aragon – leading to the creation of the Church of England and Anglicanism – brought an end to English pilgrimage, condemning this route to ostracism for centuries. Until today, a period of revitalization and new forms of pilgrimage. The many attractions of Ferrol and A Coruña are the gateway to this route. Along the way, Pontedeume and Betanzos are two key locations that allow us to gain an understanding of the ‘English’ history of the Way of St. James.

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