A set of Viking heritage walks are set to take place this week across Wirral.
The St. Olav’s Wirral and Chester Viking Heritage Walks are organised by Professor Steve Harding, a Viking enthusiast.
The three walks will take place on the evening of Thursday, July, 29 (St Olav’s Day) and twice on Saturday, July 31.
The first walk will take place on Thursday at 6.00pm with enthusiasts and St. Olav’s pilgrims meeting at Chester Railway Station and walk via St. Johns Church to St. Olave’s Church.
Professor Harding said: “The three walks will take place in parallel to events across Norway and Scandinavia where St Olav is celebrated.
“St. Olave’s Church is believed to be on the site of an older church founded by the Norse Viking settlers.”
On Saturday morning at 9.00am, enthusiasts will meet at Denhall Quay at Neston and walk through to the Church of St. Mary and St. Helen.
Harding said: “It is home to an amazing set of Viking Age fragments, which once formed part of at least two 10th century ring headed crosses, one of which - recording events from the life of a Viking couple - has been beautifully reconstructed and displayed.”
Then at 12.00pm on the Saturday enthusiasts will gather at Thurstaston (meaning “Thorsteinn’s farmstead” in old Viking) Visitor Centre for the third and final walk to St Bridget’s Church at West Kirby (“the West Village of the Church”) where there is a dedication to St Olav.
Harding added: “St. Bridgets Church was also founded by Viking settlers and enthusiasts will see the fabulous Viking hogback in the Church.
“Other artefacts from the Viking Age in the Charles Dawson Brown Museum – after a cup of Viking tea!”
For more information about the walk, visit the St Olav's website.
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