To many, England is a mythical land filled with great heroes like the ancient King Arthur or the modern Winston Churchill; brilliant writers such as Shakespeare, Chaucer, and C.S. Lewis; and cherished icons of the past like Stonehenge, Big Ben, and Buckingham Palace. England has a wide variety of landscapes, each region highlighting a unique feature and history. From the idyllic lake country, the Celtic draw of Cornwall or the sprawling Greater London, England, is massive in scope. Taking a regional voyage allows your group to move from tourist to traveler.
On this journey, we focus on the northwest and northeast of England. Beginning in York, we step back in history, learning about the Celtic, Viking, and Saxon roots that form the foundation of English history. When we move west, we will engage in Manchester and Liverpool, the bastion cities of the north. Castles are abundant, and history is a constant companion as you travel to England on your pilgrimage or missions trip. Here is an example of a voyage focused on abolishing slavery in England.
Overview
- Learn about the contribution of Celtic Christianity in Whitby.
- Visit the York Minister and find the parade of funny stone faces.
- Enjoy Eucharist or Evensong at the Manchester Cathedral.
- Take a poignant visit to the International Slavery Museum.
- Walk in the footsteps of the Beatles and hear how they changed the world.
Itinerary
Every Wonder Voyage itinerary (mission trip and/or pilgrimage) is personalized to the desires, direction and personality of each group. This itinerary is only a description of the kind of journey we can create for your unique team.
- Day 1 – Back in Time
Welcome to a unique exploration of spirituality centered on the abolition of the British slave trade in northern England, inspired and guided by the Christian faith. This ultimately spurred a worldwide civil rights movement. Upon landing, we will head eastward toward Whitby, where we can reflect on the distinctive contributions of Celtic culture to Christian worship and identity, especially the connection to nature. - Day 2 – Wilberforce of Nature
Today, we enter the seaside town of Hull. We will visit the home of William Wilberforce, a champion of a new Christian idealism and the leader of the abolition movement. It is an opportunity to consider the challenges of modern times and industrialization to Christian ideals. We will examine how the abolition movement continues today at the Wilberforce Institute. - Day 3 – Viking Influence
In the historic city of York, we will see the challenge and power of holding tradition and change in Anglican religiousness. We start at the York Cathedral. Since the 7th century, the Minster has been at the center of Christianity in the north of England and today remains a thriving church rooted in the daily offering of worship and prayer. We will give you the afternoon to explore this historic city individually. - Day 4 – Westward Expansion
We move westward for our second home. The first industrial city, Manchester, was built on cotton manufacturing and dependent on slave labor. Here, we will explore the connection between industry, prosperity, and oppression and the challenge to Christian ideals and identity. We will familiarize you with a walking tour of the historic district and a visit to the world-famous Museum of Science and Industry. - Day 5 – Manchester
Manchester is a center of abolitionism. We will see the deep connections that grew between industry, faith, and social justice. This morning, we will attend the Eucharist at the Manchester Cathedral and have some time to explore the church. After a memorable lunch, we’ll do an abolition walk to a few relevant spots before attending the glorious Evensong at the Cathedral. - Day 6- Abolition
The church has a mixed legacy in the quest to end slavery, upholding the cruel institution and being at the cutting edge of abolitionism. We head to Liverpool, where we will meet with Liverpool Cathedral staff and discuss contemporary responses to the legacy of slavery and racism. A poignant visit to the International Slavery Museum will give us a deeper understanding of our pilgrimage objectives and challenge us to be change agents. - Day 7 – Liverpool
This morning, we reflect on what the history of slavery and abolition reveals about our forebears, to what extent we are still on that path, and where we see new life and new ways of thinking. The afternoon allows you to explore the Beatles’ hometown of Liverpool before a celebration dinner at a historic dining hall. - Day 8 – Amen and Amen
The English church is our heritage for the movement to abolish slavery and its legacy of racism. We leave with a prayer from the Book of Common Prayer: Let your mercy, O Lord, kindle the never-failing gift of love; that, following the example of your servant William Wilberforce, we may have the grace to defend and maintain the cause of those who have no helper; for the sake of him who gave his life for us, your Son our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
Legacy Location
Legacy in North England
- *This is the base cost of the trip. Your cost may differ depending on housing, activities, etc.
