New ‘Tyndale Trail’ launched to mark 500 years of English New Testament

A latest long-distance walking route tracing the lifetime of Bible translator William Tyndale has been launched in south-west England, as a part of commemorations marking 500 years since his groundbreaking English New Testament.

The “Tyndale Trail”, devised by author Anne Hayward, links key locations related to the Sixteenth-century reformer across Gloucestershire and Bristol, offering walkers a two-day, 28-mile journey through landscapes closely tied to his adolescence and ministry.

Hayward said the thought for the route emerged from a private pilgrimage she undertook last 12 months.

“In September 2024 I had the chance to walk on pilgrimage between the cities of Gloucester and Bristol as a way to visit sites related to the Bible translator William Tyndale,” she explained.

The trail connects a series of historic sites including Little Sodbury Manor – where Tyndale worked as a tutor for two years – in addition to Chipping Sodbury, Iron Acton, North Nibley and central Bristol.

Along the best way, walkers may also visit more moderen landmarks dedicated to his legacy, resembling Tyndale Baptist Church in Bristol, which features stained-glass depictions of his life, and the Tyndale Monument near North Nibley, a outstanding memorial overlooking the encompassing countryside.

It largely follows existing footpaths and established walking routes, while also passing through places of wider historical interest.

“To mark the five hundredth anniversary of Tyndale’s translation of the New Testament … I even have devised a walking trail in his home area which connects several key places in his life in addition to various commemorations to him in more moderen years,” Hayward said.

Designed to be accessible to walkers of various experience, the route is laid out across standard Ordnance Survey maps and may be accomplished in around two days.

Additional nearby sites connected to Tyndale – including Berkeley, Slimbridge and Frampton on Severn – may be explored individually via short detours or local travel links.

The launch of the trail forms a part of a wider anniversary 12 months recognising William Tyndale (c.1494–1536), whose translation of the New Testament from Greek into English marked a turning point within the history of the Bible.

Tyndale’s work laid the inspiration for later English translations, including the King James Version, and helped make Scripture accessible to extraordinary people for the primary time.

His efforts exacted a severe personal toll: forced into exile, he was eventually arrested and executed for his work.

Today, he’s remembered not only as a Bible scholar and linguist, but as a central figure within the history of the English Bible – a legacy the brand new trail seeks to bring to life through the very places he once knew.

By retracing Tyndale’s footsteps, Hayward hopes walkers will encounter each the historical landscape of the English Reformation and the enduring impact of a person whose vision was that “a boy that driveth the plough” should give you the chance to grasp the Scriptures for himself.

Hayward said: “William Tyndale is one of the crucial significant figures in British history and yet few know anything about his adolescence in Gloucestershire. I hope people will enjoy walking this trail.”