Camino Inglés

9th century

Discovery of Saint James' tomb

The reported finding of the apostle's tomb in Galicia turns a remote corner of the peninsula into a destination. Royal and ecclesiastical support quickly follow, and the idea of a pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela begins to spread across Christian Europe.

10th–11th centuries

Atlantic Europe hears of Compostela

As the cult of Saint James grows, pilgrims from England, Ireland, Scotland, Scandinavia and Flanders start considering the journey. For northern travellers the long overland route through France and Spain is daunting, and the sea begins to look like a faster — if riskier — alternative.

12th century

Sea pilgrimage takes shape

Trade ships criss-crossing the Bay of Biscay and the Atlantic carry not only wool, wine and salt but pilgrims. Maritime networks linking northern Europe to Galicia turn ports on the Galician coast into the natural landfall for English and Irish travellers heading to Santiago.

13th–14th centuries

A Coruña and Ferrol become pilgrim ports

A Coruña — guided in by the Roman Tower of Hercules — emerges as the most important medieval landing place for sea-borne pilgrims, with Ferrol's sheltered ría close behind. Pilgrim churches, hospices and confraternities grow up around the harbours to receive new arrivals.

14th–15th centuries

The English Way at its peak

English pilgrimage to Santiago reaches its medieval high-water mark, with chartered ships sailing in convoys from Bristol, Plymouth, Southampton and Irish ports. The walking route from the Galician coast inland is well-established enough to earn its name: the Camino Inglés.

Medieval

Inland route through Betanzos and Bruma

From the ports the route strikes south through the Galician interior. Betanzos, one of the four historic capitals of the Kingdom of Galicia, becomes a key inland stop, while the pilgrim hospital at Hospital de Bruma gives weary, sea-tired walkers shelter before the final stretch.

16th–18th centuries

Reformation and decline

The Protestant Reformation, repeated wars between England and Catholic Spain, and growing dangers in the Atlantic cut the flow of northern pilgrims. The Camino Inglés survives as a local memory but loses its international character, quieter for centuries than the Camino Francés.

Late 20th century – today

Modern revival from Ferrol

As the broader Camino revival takes hold, walkers rediscover the English Way. Ferrol becomes the standard modern starting point because it just exceeds the 100 km minimum for the Compostela. New waymarking, albergues and pilgrim services bring the maritime route back to life.

Arrival

Compostela

However the journey began — by sea from Plymouth, on foot from Ferrol, or as a short modern Camino — the route still ends in the same place: the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, traditionally built over the tomb of the apostle.