Athelstan 1100 is the biggest and most participative community commemoration and celebration of Malmesbury’s local history in a generation.
This summer - walk with the Mayor of Malmesbury on the Athelstan 1100 Pilgrim Way Walk to Kingston upon Thames!
It is a great chance to be part of a unique, sociable, symbolic – and fun - community event.
Starting on Monday 18th August, you can join the Mayor of Malmesbury, Cllr Stephen James, on a walk from Malmesbury to Kingston upon Thames. It is taking place to mark the strong connection between both towns and our celebrations of Athelstan becoming king. There are eleven daily stages and many stretches will be on the Thames Path National Trail. The towns along the way are getting involved! Those on the final day will arrive in Kingston at 10:30am on Thursday the 4th September to be part of the events highlighting the 1100th anniversary of Athelstan’s coronation.
You can choose to be on all the stages, some of the stages, one of the stages or part of a stage. It is a great chance to involve family, friends and meet others from Malmesbury and along the way. Have a look at the information sheet and if you are interested just email hello@athelstan1100.co.uk or register your interest on the events page.
Sign up for the walk here: THE ATHELSTAN 1100 PILGRIM WAY WALK TO KINGSTON 2025
History of the event: In 2024 Malmesbury celebrated the 1100th anniversary of Athelstan becoming king. Athelstan was the first King of England and has a very special relationship with our historic town. This year we are leading the Athelstan 1100 Pilgrim Way Walk and Cycle from Malmesbury to Kingston uopn Thames.
Athelstan's hero was Malmesbury’s first Abbot, Aldhelm, he gave significant gifts to Malmesbury Abbey, and he chose to be buried here. His name is all over town and he’s at the heart of the remarkable story of Malmesbury’s Warden and Freemen organisation, which still exists today.
The 2024 programme had elements for everyone: History fans of levels of seriousness. Casual visitors and Malmesbury fans. Budding archaeologists and beer drinkers. Children and adults. There were significant and important parts of the programme we have set ourselves the goal of making free to attend, including the Malmesbury’s Big Athelstan Dig, ‘Anglo-Saxon Malmesbury’, the Anglo-Saxon food, drink and craft fair, the children’s Big Athelstan picnic and Athelstan Museum’s special exhibition. We are continuing with this ambition in 2025 with the Athelstan 1100 Pilgrim Way Walk and Cycle from Malmesbury to Kingston upon Thames.
