Old Way Itineraries - Full Route Guides - from Southampton to Canterbury

The Old Way is a 240-mile pilgrimage route which spans thousands of years, from the oldest tracks of the South Downs running from Southampton to Canterbury

The Old Way was once trod by European and British pilgrims who sought Thomas Becket’s shrine in Canterbury.

Almost forgotten, the British Pilgrimage Trust resurrected the Old way from Britain's oldest road map, The Gough Map, dated around 1360. There was a red line on the map and, once explored, it took people through breathtaking nature dotted with holy shrines and pilgrim places, from the pre-Christian to the modern, and the wild to the urban.

The Old Way follows some of the oldest tracks in Britain, but also the best paths to avoid busy roads. You may even find traces of other pilgrims in the marks left in stone, names of buildings, and stories on the path. Experience a variety of landscape from coastal paths to the soaring South Downs, marshland, woodland, river valley and the rolling hills of the Weald.

Discover sacred springs, lost shrines, prehistoric monuments, spectacular modern stained glass along with ancient trees, hill tops and places significant to other spiritual paths. Be welcomed in pretty English villages with painted churches and cities with magnificent cathedrals, finishing with the Canterbury World Heritage Site.  

Old Way Itineraries

Every pilgrimage is unique to the pilgrim and how you split up your journey is up to you. Our recommended itineraries make planning your journey easy, whatever your pace. Distances are measured from the holy places at the beginning and end of each stage, and rounded up to the nearest half mile.

8 Miles Per Day (PDF) – 29 Days / 4 weeks / 15 weekends

This itinerary breaks the journey into shorter daily distances for a gentler pace of between 6 and 10 miles. Ideal for people who love to linger in special places, or just take their time on the path. If you prefer not to do the whole route in one go, Chichester, Lewes, Battle or Rye make great places to end and begin a 1 week segmented journey. Most of the stages can also be undertaken in two or three day weekends on this itinerary.

12 Miles Per Day (PDF) – 20 Days / 3 weeks / 10 weekends

This itinerary breaks the journey into longer daily distances for a stronger pace of between 9 and 14 miles. Ideal for confident walkers or those who want to spend more of their time moving. If you prefer not to do it all in one go, Arundel and Battle make great places to end and begin a 1 week segmented journey. Most of the stages can also be undertaken in two or three day weekends on this itinerary.

20+ Miles Per Day (PDF)– 13 days / 2 weeks / 8 weekends

If you are an experienced long distance walker and enjoy the challenge of walking distances of over 20 miles per day, this itinerary will get you to Canterbury faster. Ideal for people who take a fast pace and don’t plan to pause at very many places along the way.

100km to Canterbury in a week (PDF)

Looking to do the “official” pilgrimage distance? This itinerary gives you just over 100km from Battle to Canterbury, which can be done in 1 week.

Routes

Old Way 1 - Southampton to Titchfield: Double Tides and Solent Shore – 17 miles, 2 days

Old Way 2 – Titchfield to Havant: Lost Shrines and the Oldest Yews – 18 miles, 2 days

Old Way 3 - Havant to Chichester: Mudflats and Seabird Song – 17 miles, 2 days

Old Way 4 – Chichester to Arundel: Old Saints and New Spires – 14 miles, 1 day

Old Way 5 – Arundel to Bramber: Winding River and Ancient Track – 25.5 miles, 3 days

Old Way 6 – Bramber to Lewes: Whalesback Chalk and Springline Village – 25 miles, 3 days

Old Way 7 – Lewes to Alfriston: Marian Martyrs and Bloomsbury Artists – 13 miiles, 2 days

Old Way 8 – Alfriston to Boreham Street: Chalk-cut men and Pevensey Levels – 22.5 miles, 3 days

Old Way 9 – Boreham Street to Battle: Wealden Clay and Silent Wood – 15 miles, 2 days

Old Way 10 – Battle to Winchelsea: Conquerors Path and Sandstone Hills (Sanctuary) – 13 miles, 2 days

Old Way 11 – Winchelsea to Appledore: Cinque Port Towns and Romney Marsh – 13 miles, 2 days

Old Way 12 – Appledore to Lympne: Saxon Shore and Greensand Ridge – 17.5 miles, 2 days

Old Way 13 – Lympne to Bridge: Chalk Stream and North Downs Scarp – 20 miles, 3 days

Old Way 14 – Bridge to Canterbury: Pilgrim Paths and City Saints – 9.5 miles, 1 day

Old Way Alternatives

Old Way Alternative Start - Winchester to Chichester. Swap the flat coastal walking from Southampton over stages 1 - 3 in favour of the hills of the South Downs - 46 miles, 3 – 4 days