Friends Way 2: Margaret Fell's Journey

Cumbria

The Friends Way 2 is a 49-mile walk from Sedbergh, Cumbria to Swarthmoor Hall in Ulverston in the Lake District. (Its prequel Friends Way 1 went from Pendle Hill to Sedbergh.) The route takes in major Quaker sites in Kendal (there is a separate Sedbergh Quaker Trail) and largely follows George Fox's and Margaret Fell's 1652 route via Crookland, Kendal, Cartmell Fell, Newby Bridge, Colton and Ulverston.

After George Fox reached Swarthmoor Hall, he deeply impressed Margaret Fell (1614-1702) with his radical ideas. She became a committed Quaker who later became Fox's wife and, like him, was imprisoned for her beliefs. She worked tirelessly to organise the movement, to lobby for releasing prisoners of conscience and to spread the Quaker word by her publishing. Her role has been eclipsed by her famous second husband. The accompanying book covers her journey from mistress of Swarthmoor to 'mother of Quakerism'. (Source: Rucksack Readers.)

Friends Way 1 (George Fox's Journey) was added in February 2022

November 2024: It has been reported that the two minor road bridges which also serve as pedestrian and other non-vehicle traffic routes between Kendal and the ridge above Barrowfield Wood, Cumbria, have been closed due to the unsafe nature of their (‘half-joint’ bridge) construction. The closures involve all traffic including pedestrians and cyclists. Brigsteer Bridge carries the Westmoreland Way, Friends Way 2 and the Fairtrade Way. There is a footbridge to the north, and what may be two pedestrian underpasses to the south. The closures were initially for 18 months from June 2024.

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Details:

Path Type:	Other Paths
Attributes:	Other Paths Average Gradients Moorland National Park Religious
Start:	SD657921 - Sedbergh, Cumbria, Cumbria
Finish:	SD281772 - Ulverston, Cumbria, Cumbria
Open Date:	2023

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Publications, Badges and Certificates:

Guidebook

Friends Way 2  (Rucksack Readers  - May 2023 )

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