Tolkien Pilgrims | Polish fans in England and Wales

Our Day 7. St Edward's church in Stow-on-the-Wold

Our next Tolkien Expedition to Great Britain took place from May 9th to 17th, 2026. This time, nearly 50 people from all over Poland participated, from children to seniors, all ages of the Free Peoples of Middle-earth. We visited places connected with the life and works of J.R.R. Tolkien in England and Wales. It was one of our most successful expeditions. The program can be found here.

I also provide an English translation of our report (= "translation into Westron"). This type of coach expedition is something unique in global fandom, isn't it? More photos from each day can be found under the hashtag #WyprawaTolkienowska2026. Daily reports from Radio Wnet, hosted by our wonderful Editor Konrad Mędrzecki, can be found on our podcast Tolkieniada! More photos can be found in Polish version of this report on Elendilion (here).

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Day 1. First, an early departure from Katowice, then a journey through Wrocław – we're gathering our dear Tolkienists, fans of the Professor and the British Isles from all over Poland on the coach. Our Elendilion mascot, Alqua the Swan, is with us. Then a drive through part of Germany, a visit to Johann Sebastian Bach’s grave and the Tolkien family legend in Leipzig, delicacies (including the wonderful Gose beer and Saxon potato soup), and the Monument to the Battle of the Nations. And we slept comfortably in a hotel in Gelsenkirchen.

Day 2. Today, through Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, and France, we traveled “Even Further Than North.” On the coach, to while away the time, we watched the famous French comedy about Chtimi, about Picardy culture. Then, a quick and efficient passport control, and we took the ferry from Calais to Dover. The beautiful White Cliffs! Then, quickly, we reached Hever Castle, the residence of Anne Boleyn. We made it, we made it! The castle and its beautiful gardens are ours! In the evening, we arrive at our hotel near London. And since it's Sunday, our dear Fathers, Father Anicet and Father Paweł, are preparing a beautiful Liturgy for those who wish to participate.

Day 3. Today, Oxford, on the 100th anniversary of J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis's acquaintance! (Yes, it was May 11, 1926, at Merton College!) Visiting the graves of the Two Friends and laying beautiful flowers. Holy Trinity Church with the Narnia Stained Glass Window and St. Gregory's Church with Tolkien's bench, because he attended Mass there with his family for over 20 years. Then the colleges: a walk through Christ Church and past Merton College. A visit to the Botanical Gardens (and the wonderful TOLKIEN PINUS NIGRA!), a detailed visit to Magdalen College with its Addison's Walk, where you can convert to faith in the One God (yes!). A stroll through the wonderful streets of Oxford, followed by a three-hour visit to bookstores, museums, churches, and food on our own. The weather was kind to us despite the gloomy forecast (due to Galadhorn's "Sunshine Song" in various versions). A very successful day!

Day 4. Utúlie'n aurë! Today, Birmingham and the surrounding area. Tolkien's ancestors and his childhood, as well as the beauty of the Arts & Crafts. First, our archaeological and conservation mission at the Key Hill Nonconformist Cemetery. We found the grave of J.R.R. Tolkien's grandparents and the symbolic grave of his father, Arthur Reuel. We also had to clear the grave so that others could read the name TOLKIEN. Not only that, but we also happened upon the set of the BBC series Silent Witness. Then Edgbaston and the Birmingham Oratory, with its shrine to the Church Father, St. John Henry Newman, and the tomb of Tolkien’s spiritual father, Father Francis Morgan. There, we experienced our beautiful Mass in Latin and listened to the Holy Scriptures in Greek. We also saw The Two Towers! And then Sarehole Mill and the increasingly run-down districts of Birmingham. Moseley is becoming increasingly filthy, stinking, and poor. Finally, we went to the wonderful Wightwick Manor in Wolverhampton and, on the 198th birthday of Gabriel Dante Rosetti, viewed his collection of Pre-Raphaelite paintings. Wightwick is one of the most beautiful Arts & Crafts manors! A wonderful day, and the weather is perfect. Tomorrow we head to Wales.

Day 5. Today's destination is Wales, or rather Cymru. Dragons, Venedotia, memories of the Druids, and English castles in Wales. First, the town on Angelsey Island with the longest name: Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch. Then, the seaside Beaumaris in the sunlight. Then, the Prince of Wales's castle in Caernarfon, and time for a little something in the pubs and taverns. Finally, Conwy, with its castle and the smallest house in Great Britain, in the glow of the "golden hour." The end crowns the work—our lovely hotel in seaside Rhyl and a wonderful sunset! We also had a Sindarin lesson (enjoy the lessons at the Niezapominka website!) and Welsh. Cymru is byth!

Day 6. Today, mountains, forests, lakes, wildernesses, and enchanted corners of Wales. Lake Bala (Llyn Tegid), then the Victorian town of Betws-y-Coed, and for dessert, a ride on the extraordinary, inventive cable car to the highest mountain in Wales, Snowdon (Welsh: Yr Wyddfa), at 1085 meters above sea level. We had lunch at Wetherspoons in Bangor. The Sindarin lesson was also a success.

Day 7. The Shire, Bree, the Barrows! The incredible land of sheep in the wooded hills that is the Cotswolds. Visits to the Prancing Pony Inn in Bree (The Bell in Moreton-in-Marsh) and the Gate of Moria (in Stow-on-the-Wold), then to the Barrows and Weathertop (White Horse Hill). Part of the group made it all the way to Wayland's Forge! Bright sky, the smell of grass, larks overhead. The day began with a big shopping spree at the supermarket and ended with a hotel with boxed meals in Greater London. Tomorrow is our last day in the Kingdom. Apparently, there are big demonstrations coming up in London.

Day 8. Unfortunately, this was our last day on Albion Island. In the morning, we set off for Windsor, and immediately upon arrival, bought tickets, then set off to visit the residence of King Charles III. The weather continued to be kind to us! We saw Queen Mary's Dolls' House, the Royal Apartments, the beautiful St. George's Chapel, and the Changing of the Guard. We also enjoyed views of the Thames Valley and Eton School. After a rest in Windsor, we set off for the Dover ferry at noon. We were accepted for the cruise three hours earlier. This meant there would be time for Sunday Mass (if interested) and to visit French restaurants.

Day 9. We set off after a delicious breakfast in France (the comfortable and welcoming Campanile Hotel in Douai; they easily made a conference room available for Sunday Mass on Saturday evening). Stops every four hours, stories from various Tolkienists about our Polish Tolkien Society - Parmadili, about the entire fandom in Poland, the history of Tolkienists in Krakow, the concept of órë in Tolkien's writing, etc., and a few films along the way. And so, around 9:15 PM, we arrived in Wrocław, and around 11:15 PM in Katowice. Time for farewells, hugs, smiles, and tears.

Day 3. and our group at Tolkien's grave (Wolvercote, Oxford)

But let's not worry, because next year we'll be joining #TolkienExpedition2027 in England and Cornwall!

Thank you to this year's wonderful Free Peoples of Middle-earth Fellowship! It was wonderful! This was another very successful Tolkien Trip. Thank you to our priests for their spiritual guidance!

We also wholeheartedly thank the Abraksas Travel Agency, Karolina and Oliwia, and drivers Łukasz and Kamil from Gregor Trans for the impeccable preparation and execution of our trip.