North-East publisher Sacristy Press is publishing a new travel guide all about Yorkshire and its Christian Heritage. 

Yorkshire has a long and rich Christian history, stretching back beyond the Vikings to Roman Britain. 

Saints and Holy Places of Yorkshire is a unique guidebook for visitors to the many pilgrimage sites in Yorkshire and the holy people who have been associated with these places from St Hilda of Whitby through to William Wilberforce.

Written by Gavin Wakefield, the travel book is a practical and spiritual guide to the many holy places in God’s Own County, and aims to help readers develop their spiritual life through reflection on the lives of familiar and less familiar figures from the Christian story in Yorkshire.

Gavin is a member of the Archbishop of York’s leadership team in the Diocese of York, and in the book he explores the fascinating history of the people and places of Yorkshire, including the people and places that formed Yorkshire’s Christian heritage.

“I’ve really enjoyed visiting and re-visiting lots of places in Yorkshire that are considered holy by many people. Who isn’t moved in some way by the wonderful monastic buildings of Fountains and Kirkstall, Jervaulx and Whitby?” he said.

“York Minster attracts visitors from all over the world when we are not restricted from travelling. I’ve loved connecting the stories of people with the places in this book. It has brought the buildings and landscapes to life in a fresh way for me.”

The importance of place is also a key feature of this approach, whether on the coast, in the relative wilds for many of the abbeys, or in the bustle of a city. 

The guide can be used over a week, but equally it can be used to assist in visiting places one by one, or by following the journey in the imagination while being read at home. A seven-day route takes in many popular – and some less well-known – places in Yorkshire’s unique landscape Each day has four elements: People, Place, Prayer, and Practicalities, plus brief information about other places which might be included in a visit.

Saints and Holy Places of Yorkshire is available online and in-store across the UK.

Sacristy Press is encouraging people to support the many small independent Christian bookshops that are struggling for survival during the Coronavirus lockdown with a new campaign.

The list of bookshops offering home delivery is available on the Sacristy Press website, sacristy.co.uk/bookshops.