King Alfred Pilgrimage
The King Alfred Pilgrimage is a heritage, wellbeing, and community engagement initiative developed by Social Circles CIC in partnership with Diocese of Bath & Wells and local parish churches, Levels and Moors LCN and local town/parish councils, Somerset Council, SW Heritage CIC, Visit Somerset, Natural England, Sedgemoor Landscape Recovery Project and local landowners.
It connects communities utilising multiple existing public footpaths and rights-of-way following King Alfred’s story across the Somerset Levels — from North Petherton to Somerton, via Athelney, Burrow Mump, Lyng, Aller, and Langport — whilst celebrating associated heritage through shorter themed routes, family walks, and the annual Somerset Day Weekend celebrations.
The project has both:
Economic value — through tourism, heritage experiences, merchandise, and events; and
Social value — by improving health and wellbeing, promoting community volunteering opportunities and building civic pride.
Project Aims
To create a self-sustaining heritage walking experience celebrating King Alfred’s resilience and legacy.
Encourage walking for health, improved wellbeing, and connection with nature.
To support local communities, parish churches, and create volunteering opportunities along the route.
To promote Somerset’s cultural identity nationally and internationally
Increase sense of pride in place and improve community cohesion.
Social Value and Community Impact
With modest investment in marketing and infrastructure, the Pilgrimage can attract national and international visitors, support local economic growth with additional visitor spend on day trips and overnight stays, and demonstrate measurable social return on investment (SROI) in total estimated to be around £1.3million per annum by 2030.
Further Information
The King Alfred Pilgrimage https://www.visitsomerset.co.uk/things-to-do/activities/walking/the-king-alfred-pilgrimage
Athelney to Stoke St Gregory Circular https://explore.osmaps.com/route/28146199/athelney-to-stoke-st-gregory-circular
Family Walk - Details to follow
Somerset Day on the Levels https://www.socialcircles.org.uk/somerset-day-on-the-levels-2026