The Archbishop of York has revealed exactly how far he walked in his six-month pilgrimage through the Diocese of York.

Dr John Sentamu's pilgrimage of prayer, witness and blessing began on December 1 and ended on Sunday.

The Archbishop recorded data on his iPhone as he went, and today revealed the key figures.

  • He took 1,627,226 steps
  • He walked 1,578 miles or 2,359.5km
  • The longest day's walk was a 16-mile trek from Wilton to Redcar, and out onto The Gare – the most northerly point of the Diocese
  • The support vehicle provided by Welcome to Yorkshire and Sir Gary Verity travelled 12,814 miles during the pilgrimage.
  • The Archbishop prayed with 25,100 people using prayer beads, and saying the Lord’s Prayer
  • He saing a Taizé chant in over 480 churches.
  • He also prayed in most schools and hospitals along his way.
  • He visited 148 schools, including nursery pre-schools, primary, secondary and sixth form colleges, and said the standard of teaching and learning was excellent.
  • He visited 22 hospitals and hospices
  • He and his staff distributed booklets on Christianity and distributed 60,000 bookmarks and prayer cards.

He said: "I am energised and have been so encouraged by the people that I have met in factories, on farms and on the streets.

"I would like to thank all who have joined me in prayer and the many who encouraged me on the way – especially my Pilgrimage Companion, the Revd Canon Joanna Udal, who accompanied me from Advent to Easter Day and has now joined the community of The Little Sisters of Jesus.

"There have been so many amazing God moments, for example, 13 Baptisms, Confirmations, prayers for healing and many many blessings.”

He also said: “In total I have walked 1,578 miles (2,539.5 km) wearing my reliable Chris Brasher boots and with my walking poles. I have taken 1,627, 226 steps. I have climbed 1,204 floors. I have walked in all weathers, rain, wind, hail, sleet, snow and glorious sunshine.”

The pilgrimage took in 21 Deaneries: Whitby, Guisborough, Middlesbrough, Stokesley, Mowbray and Northern Ryedale in the Cleveland Archdeaconry. Bridlington, Scarborough, Harthill, North Holderness, Howden, Hull (Hull West, Hull Central & North and Hull East), Beverley and South Holderness in the East Riding Archdeaconry. South Wold, Derwent, Selby, New Ainsty, Easingwold, Southern Ryedale and York in the York Archdeaconry.