A mayor is preparing to begin a 130-mile, 11-day journey that will take him through Bourne End and Windsor.
Stephen James, mayor of Malmesbury, will travel on foot from Malmesbury to Kingston upon Thames to mark the 1,100th anniversary of Athelstan’s coronation as King of Wessex and Mercia.
The journey will begin at 10am on August 18 from Malmesbury Abbey and will end at All Saints Church in Kingston on September 4.
There will be a break between August 23 to 25, and then from August 28 to 31.
Mr James said: "Walking 130 miles in 11 days is a challenge but it is something I knew I wanted to do when I was elected mayor of Malmesbury.
"As well as the opportunity to represent Malmesbury on the walk, I am also excited and very appreciative of the welcome we are being offered by many civic colleagues I will be meeting as we pass through their towns, and on the last leg – from Hampton Court to Kingston – the Kingston mayor Noel Hadjimichael and Bishop of Kingston Martin Gainsborough will be joining in."
The walk follows the Athelstan Pilgrim Way, a network of footpaths and cycleways across North Wiltshire, and extends the route to Kingston, where Athelstan was crowned.
A symbolic crown will be carried throughout the journey.
The route includes Cricklade, Lechlade, Newbridge, Abingdon, Wallingford, Henley, Chertsey, and Hampton Court, as well as Bourne End and Windsor, before reaching Kingston.
The walk is part of wider anniversary celebrations.
Malmesbury, where Athelstan is buried, marked his nomination as king last year, while Kingston is commemorating his coronation this year.
A corresponding Athelstan 1100 Pilgrim Way cycle ride will take place on September 3 and 4, with cyclists aiming to arrive in Kingston at the same time as the walkers.
Both the walk and cycle ride offer a chance to explore the historic landscape along the Great West Way, a touring route that runs between London and Bristol.
The events are organised by Malmesbury’s Athelstan 1100 team, led by the Malmesbury Town Team and supported by the town council, along with the North Wiltshire Athelstan Pilgrim Way team and Kingston’s Athelstan Coronation team.
There is no charge to join the walk, however Mr James is encouraging donations to his charities, and participants are invited to seek sponsorship.
Full details of the route, daily distances, and registration information are available at athelstan1100.co.uk
Anyone interested in taking part in either the walk or the cycle ride can email hello@athelstan1100.co.uk
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