Druid plays barefoot at Cromer Lawn Tennis Tournament

Ben Stuchbury, 23, originally from Rugby in Warwickshire, has just completed a summer-long journey from western Wales to the most easterly point of England in Lowestoft.

Travelling with his partner, Louise Roland, 36, the pair have been living in a caravan since setting off from St Davids on June 21, the summer solstice.

Louise Roland and Ben Stuchbury (Image: Supplied) They called their project Intertwining Albion and spent weeks walking, meeting people, sharing music and celebrating nature along the way.

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But Mr Stuchbury, a keen tennis player since the age of four, couldn’t resist signing up for the Cromer Lawn Tennis Tournament when he reached the north Norfolk coast.

And instead of wearing trainers, he decided to take things a step further by competing barefoot.

Ben Stuchbury in action at the Cromer Tennis Tournament (Image: Supplied) He said it helped him feel more connected to the Earth (Image: Supplied) “It was my first time playing without shoes and it felt brilliant,” he said.

“I won my first match, which was a huge buzz, and though I lost in the next round I still felt like a winner.

"Playing as a druid, barefoot, felt like I was representing myself properly.”

He added: “I believe being barefoot helps me feel more connected to the earth - the energy moves through my body.

"My feet could spread out naturally, the way our ancestors would have done.”

Ben and Louise in Felixstowe with her children Khenan Jackson and Aedon Moon (Image: Supplied) His unusual playing style was helped along by the grass surface.

“I think on clay or tarmac it might have been tougher,” he admitted.

“But grass cushions the shock.

"My partner was on the sidelines giving me Reiki support, which kept me going.”

Pilgrimage complete, the couple plan to return to west Wales, where Mr Stuchbury hopes to combine his passions for music, painting and druidic practice with plenty more tennis -shoes optional.