Tyburn Martyrs Walk
Central London, England
Why this walk is special
Begin at Westminster Cathedral and walk through central London towards Tyburn, where Catholic martyrs are remembered. The journey ends at Tyburn Convent, a place of prayer near the historic site of the Tyburn gallows. This short pilgrimage offers a moment of reflection amid the movement of the city.
Why it matters to pilgrims
Tyburn Convent honours the Catholic martyrs of the Reformation, including 105 known Tyburn martyrs. Its Benedictine community continues a tradition of prayer and Eucharistic adoration. Pilgrims can remember those who remained faithful despite persecution.
Before you travel
Tyburn Convent says the Martyrs' Crypt is closed to tours from 22 June 2026 until further notice because of sanctuary renovations. It currently expects the closure to continue until around mid-2027. Check the convent's latest information before travelling. The walk can still finish outside the convent.
Check the convent's latest informationPlan your walk
Route
Westminster Cathedral, Victoria Street, London SW1P 1QW → Tyburn Convent, 8 Hyde Park Place, London W2 2LJ
Distance
about 2.1 miles / 3 km
Walk type
Easy urban walk, with busy roads and pedestrian crossings
Walking overview
Walk from Westminster Cathedral through central London to Tyburn Convent, near Marble Arch. This is the short 2.1-mile option that Pilgrim Ways publishes as Walk B: Westminster Cathedral to Tyburn Convent — 2.1 miles. It is not the separate 5.2-mile Westminster pilgrimage route. The published short-walk listing describes the route as generally accessible for wheelchairs and buggies, but the walk still uses busy roads and pedestrian crossings, and individual access conditions should be checked. Victoria is useful for the start and Marble Arch for the finish. Westminster Cathedral recommends public transport and has no visitor parking facilities. There is no tidal crossing on this walk. Pocket Pilgrim gives this brief overview only and supplies no turn-by-turn navigation. Use the detailed walking directions linked below, published by Pilgrim Ways, and choose safe crossings on the ground. Tyburn Convent says the Martyrs' Crypt is closed to tours at present — see the notice near the top of this page.
Hazards: road walking, limited access
Busy roads and pedestrian crossings throughout central London. The published short-walk listing describes the route as generally accessible for wheelchairs and buggies; individual access conditions on the day should be checked. There is no tidal crossing on this walk. Never cross traffic or step into a traffic island to look for a martyr marker — remember the martyrs from wherever you can stand safely.
Pocket Pilgrim gives this brief overview only, and supplies no turn-by-turn navigation. The detailed directions above are the route publisher's own.
Start and finish
Start: Westminster Cathedral, Victoria Street, London SW1P 1QW
Finish: Tyburn Convent, 8 Hyde Park Place, London W2 2LJ
Approximate distance: 2.1 miles, one way
No reviewed walking line is shown for this walk. The map marks the points an admin has checked — nothing is drawn on a guess.
Stops along the way
4 approved🕯️ Pray
Victoria Street, London SW1P 1QW
Begin the walk with a moment of prayer at Westminster Cathedral, the Catholic cathedral in Victoria, central London, and the start check-in point for this walk.
Access or booking: Westminster Cathedral recommends public transport and has no visitor parking facilities. Check the cathedral's current visitor arrangements before you travel.
The Tyburn area near Marble Arch
At finishTyburn, near Marble Arch, London
Remember the martyrs here, at the historic site of the Tyburn gallows near Marble Arch. Pocket Pilgrim does not ask you to cross any road or step onto a traffic island, and there is no marker for you to go and find: remember the martyrs from wherever you can stand safely, and let Tyburn Convent, close by, be the place where you pause.
Access or booking: This is a busy junction and gyratory. Do not cross traffic or enter a traffic island for this walk.
8 Hyde Park Place, London W2 2LJ
End the walk with prayer at Tyburn Convent if access is available. The Benedictine community here keeps a tradition of prayer and Eucharistic adoration beside the historic site of the Tyburn gallows.
Access or booking: Tyburn Convent says the Martyrs' Crypt is closed to tours from 22 June 2026 until further notice because of sanctuary renovations. It currently expects the closure to continue until around mid-2027. Check the convent's latest information before travelling. The walk can still finish outside the convent. Access to the convent itself has not been checked, so pocket Pilgrim promises nothing beyond the finish check-in outside.
🍞 Eat and drink
Café in the cellar of Westminster Cathedral
At startWestminster Cathedral, Victoria Street, London SW1P 1QW
An optional place to eat at the start of the walk: the wider Westminster pilgrimage information mentions a café in the cellar of Westminster Cathedral. Pocket Pilgrim lists it only as a start-area suggestion — check whether it is currently open before you rely on it.
Access or booking: Check whether the café is currently open with Westminster Cathedral before you travel.
Sign in to check in at the start or finish of this walk.
Points and badge progress
263 points for completing this walk, awarded once
Awarded once, when a location-verified finish check-in completes the walk — after a location-verified start.
Tyburn Martyrs Walk badge
Earned on a location-verified start and finish. The badge is held once, however many times you walk it.
Check in at this walk's approved start point, then at its approved finish point. A checked-in finish that was not possible can be sent to an admin for review, and it counts once they approve it.
History and route sources
Pocket Pilgrim links to these sources. Their wording, maps, photographs and files are not copied here.
Details checked 28 Sept 2026. Pocket Pilgrim is not endorsed by the route organiser or by any venue, and this walk's badge is Pocket Pilgrim's own artwork.
Pocket Pilgrim provides a basic overview of this walk. You are responsible for choosing and following a suitable route, using safe crossings, and checking current conditions. Consult the linked detailed walking directions before setting out. Check venue opening and access information directly before visiting.
Walking information
Pocket Pilgrim's walking instructions give a basic overview. They are not a navigation or safety guide. Before setting out, read the linked detailed directions and check current local conditions. Follow signs, access restrictions and local advice on the ground.