Advice and information Our primary missions are to provide information, advice and guidance on the Camino de Santiago to anyone that wants it, regardless of your motivation or background; as well as provide a community of Camino Pilgrims at home, where people can get together and share their experience and learn more about the pilgrimage. Whether you're planning on going, or have recently come back, we can talk to you person-to-person and answer any questions you have. We're here to support you with this potentially life-altering journey! There are a number of ways you can get in touch: The Office Email or call us! Someone is usually in the office, but if not, leave us a message and we'll get back to you as soon as possible. [email protected] or 0207 9289988 And remember, if we don't know the answer ourselves, we have a whole membership of people who we can put you in touch with! Zoom Coffee Mornings Free conversation hours every Thursday morning at 10:30 online featuring news updates from Spain, idea sharing and getting to know one another. Occasionally featuring guest speakers and a virtual Camino! Office Open Days Our Open Days are every Thursday from 11am-3:30pm and on occasional Saturdays. This is when the CSJ volunteers are in to answer pilgrims' questions, show you the bookshop and process pilgrim passport and membership applications. Check out our Events Page for the next dates. Our extensive pilgrim library is also available for all to peruse. Note, though, that only members may borrow titles. The enthusiasm and knowledge of the volunteers I met made me determined to go on my first Camino. Bookshop We sell a variety of books on the Camino. Many of these are written and published by the CSJ and are available nowhere else. And for those that aren't - remember that when you buy from us, you are also giving to a Camino pilgrim charity in the process! Guidebooks - We stock guidebooks to all the most popular Camino routes to Santiago - and some of the less popular ones! Whereas once we were the only UK-based organisation writing them, now there are many to choose from. Ask us which one we recommend for the route you're doing! For lesser-known routes, we do sometimes have booklets lurking in our office. So if you can't see one for the route you're doing, drop us a line and check if we have anything that isn't listed on the shop! General Literature - Want to learn more about the Camino, pilgrimage, St James, spiritual walking or other? We have a selection to choose from - all of them written by pilgrims for pilgrims. Whether you want to get inspired or reminisce, our general reading is well worth exploring too. Our current favourite - It's About Time by Johnnie Walker. Academic titles - One of the CSJ's charitable objectives is to promote research and the education of the public in pilgrimage. We have published papers, conference proceedings, theses and other academic works, some of which are available in our online shop. For a full catalogue, see our Library. Practical Pilgrim DaysA fantastic opportunity for pilgrims past, present and future to reflect on what the Camino means to them! Get advice from experienced Camino pilgrims, connect with like-minded people and join the community! These days consist of talks about the CSJ and how we can help, practical tips on preparing for a pilgrimage, Q and A panel discussions, route-specific group sessions and a chance to discuss what the Camino means to you. Currently organised each year in London, Manchester, Edinburgh, Cornwall, Bristol, as well as online, with hopefully more venues in the future! ...a fount of information and so enthusiastic and encouraging. Wine Bar Evenings The second Tuesday of every month, we meet for a sociable evening either in person or on Zoom for wine, food and a chance to chat all things Camino! Whether it's to ask questions, answer them, or just reminisce about times on pilgrimage. Free entry for all! Historically, these have taken place near our office in London, but they are now popping up throughout the country, organised by our Regional Groups. Returned Pilgrim Days We realise that it's sometimes tough to talk properly about one's Camino with people that haven't done it themselves. These days are aimed at those pilgrims who have returned and want to share their stories and experiences with people who understand how they might be feeling. Returned Pilgrims Days are a wonderful way to get to know new people with common experience and interest. What I found was a relaxed but well-planned day with people who immediately felt like friends, people who could really understand what I’d just done. Constance Storrs Lecture Our annual lecture in memory of Constance Storrs, whose research into Jacobean Pilgrimage from Britain in the 12th Century helped revive the Camino in the UK in the late 20th century. The topics vary from year to year - some are more academic, some more personal. Usually held in late Autumn. Special fundraiser talks We also run occasional talks online including lectures and music recitals with special guests, as fundraisers for the CSJ. See our Events page for what's coming up soon. Camino Book Club These take place online on the 4th Tuesday of every month and are discussion groups about a particular Camino book, covering a range of different topics and authors. Free to CSJ members. Again, see our Events page for the next one! Regional Groups We now have more than 20 regional branches throughout the UK, who also organise events and activities and have formed their own local communities: Bristol Bucks/Beds/Herts Cambridgeshire Cumbria Devon and Cornwall Hampshire Isle of Man Kent Leics/Northants London and Middlesex Norfolk/Suffolk/Essex Northumberland Scotland Surrey Sussex Thames Valley Ultreia Mancunia (Manchester) Wales Wessex West Midlands Yorkshire See them all here.