During Holy Week, Bishop Michael stepped away from his usual daily work agenda to undertake a pilgrimage across Exmoor and the Quantock Hills. As he journeyed through some of the most rural parts of our diocese, across the four days from Tuesday to Good Friday, he was joined by members of the local church communities who walked and prayed with him.
Beginning after the Chrism Service at Wells Cathedral, Bishop Michael travelled to Selworthy where he walked to Porlock. In the evening he was invited to take part in lessons and hymns. The following day saw Bishop Michael journey from Oare to Stoke Pero where he met local school children from year 4 at the Moorland Federation at Pinkery Outdoor Centre. Later he joined a discussion group at Exford Bridge Tea Rooms for an evening supper, before attending a performance of Faure’s Requiem.
On Maunday Thursday, Bishop Michael’s pilgrimage continued through Treborough, Nettlecombe, Monksilver, Sampford Brett and Bicknoller, before walking on to Nether Stowey along the Coleridge way ending at Coleridge Cottage. In the evening he joined the Thursday supper and service at Over Stowey.
Good Friday was the last day of the pilgrimage and began with a serive on Nether Stowey Mount followed by a walk of witness through the High Street stopping at the cross to say prayers. There were hot cross buns and activities for the children and Bishop Michael was able to see some of the work about Easter produced by pupils from the local school. Pupils from Spaxton Church of England Primary School produced a special video for Bishop Michael praying for him and wishing him well on his journey.
Bishop Michael then had lunch at Spaxton Church before taking a tractor ride from Enmore Church to Goathurst Church where he joined the local church community for tea and cake after the service.
The journey reflected the diocese’s especial focus on prayer during 2026. Walking through the beautiful landscape, meeting with people and sharing in prayer and worship together during Holy Week. Below you can hear Bishop Michael’s reflection on the walk which he shared on BBC Radio.