Back at the end of 2013 BBC Two aired Pilgrimage with Simon Reeve, where he retraces the adventures of our ancestors, and learns about the forgotten aspects of pilgrimage - including the vice, thrills and dangers that awaited travellers. He also explores the faith, the hopes, desires, and even the food that helped to keep medieval Britons and more recent travellers on the road.
Simon embarks on a 400 mile journey to Canterbury from the north of England, beginning at the mystical Holy Island, just off the rugged coast of Northumberland.
Travelling further south through England, Simon gets to try medieval food; marvels at the beauty and majesty of Lincoln Cathedral, once the tallest building on the planet; and joins thousands on an annual pilgrimage at a remote village in Norfolk.
Simon visits the area of London where brothels paid rent to the Bishop of Winchester while tempting passing pilgrims. He learns more about exquisite medieval travel souvenirs that have been discovered in the muddy banks of the Thames.
Heading out of the capital, Simon meets a group of Chaucer enthusiasts who walk the pilgrimage route made famous by the Canterbury Tales.
The draw of relics for pilgrims was immense before Henry VIII's Reformation, when the golden age of pilgrim was abruptly ended. Until then Britain's ultimate medieval pilgrimage destination was the site where Thomas Becket was murdered: Canterbury
You can read the transcript for the first ten minutes of the programme here.
