New pilgramage route to mark 350th anniversary of plague in Eyam

The 35-mile Peak Pilgramage route has been created by members of Eyam Church, and will take walkers from Ilam to Eyam.

It will be officially launched in July.

Eyam is considered a holy place because of the self-sacrifice of its residents in 1665.

From a population of 350, some 260 residents died after contracting the bubonic plague when the villagers chose to isolate themselves rather than risk spreading the disease elsewhere.

Ilam is itself a pilgrimage destination as the 7th Century St Bertelin lived there.

The route is expected to take three days to complete, with people stopping off at churches en-route.

A group of pilgrims will test the route on May 20th, 21st and 22nd.