For our ten mile pilgrimage, we meet at 9.45 am at Shepherdswell Station. Close by is the world-famous Via Francigena, our route for the day where we welcome each other and set our intentions for our restorative, reflective journey.
As we journey, you will walk in the footsteps of the pilgrims of old. Use your complimentary Pilgrim Scrip, a traditional cloth bag, to collect meaningful items which symbolise the stages of your own personal journey.
Passing beautiful villages mentioned in the Domesday book, we will see churches, holy springs and sacred sites. Through open fields, woodland and ancient hollow-ways, we experience some of those ancient pilgrim rites, from circling spiritual places, to cupping holy waters; the joy of barefoot walking, to lighting a candle at Becket’s shrine.
At St Mary’s church at Patrixbourne we discover the hidden details of this beautiful Norman church and the secrets of spiritual songs. Together we seek the holy waters of the Nailbourne, and learn of their connection to St Ethelburga, who brought Christianity to Northumbria. We stride along ancient hollow ways learning tree folklore, then out into open fields where we delve into the origins of the Via Francigena and its founder Sigeric the Serious. Mount Joy marks a very special moment for our weary travellers, but where is it and what did they have to be joyful about? Your guide will reveal all.
Along the way, we pause for lunch. Please bring your own and in the heart of pilgrim hospitality, something to share if you wish.
Nearing Canterbury where St Augustine first settled on his mission from Rome to convert England to Christianity, we pause at St Martin’s Church, the oldest church in the English-speaking world, to learn our grounding practice, spy a secret spring and uncover the story of Queen Bertha and St Augustine’s mission.
At St Augustine’s Abbey, we discover the significance of this World Heritage Site to our own Canterbury Tale. There are toilets and some small refreshments here.
Reaching our final destination, the great Cathedral, where we learn of the martyrdom of 12th Century Archbishop Thomas Becket, we visit the crypt, kneel on the pilgrim steps and light a candle to commemorate our journey together. Some pilgrims may wish to stay for the Choral Evensong (no charge) at 5.30pm.
Our journey is over. We gather in the precincts to say our farewells and remember the special moments we have shared. You leave this experience having momentarily been drawn into the life of the pilgrim, equipped with some very special practices to bring you peace and comfort in your everyday life.
Our pilgrimage may also be an emotional journey to connect deeply with yourself, others and the natural world. You might want to do this walk for yourself- thinking of something you wish to give up, bring into your life or an issue you seek a solution to? You might want to remember a loved one? Whatever your reason, your guide Faye has discovered the healing power of walking through loss and trauma and looks forward to hearing your story, should you wish to tell it.
Included is: One day guided walking with your trained pilgrim guide
Pilgrim scrip and candle
Entry to the Canterbury Cathedral World Heritage site
Unique experiences, new and ancient ways to experience spiritual places, finding your place in Britain’s pilgrimage tradition.
Start Date
15/04/2023
End Date
15/04/2023
Start location
Address Line 1
Shepherdswell Railway Station
Address Line 2
Christchurch Gate, The Precincts
City
Dover
Postcode
CT15 7PD
End location
Address Line 1
Canterbury Cathedral
Address Line 2
Christchurch Gate, The Precincts
Town
Canterbury
City
Canterbury
Postcode
CT1 2EH
Area
South East England
Travel Advice
We always recommend the greenest option of public transport where possible.
By train: Shepherdswell Station is on the Dover branch of the Chatham Main Line to London Victoria. The nearest main stations are Canterbury
Return from Canterbury West from which Southeastern operate a high-speed train from St Pancras in just 51 minutes. Canterbury East from London Victoria is only a five-minute walk from Canterbury city centre.
We meet at 9.45 am at Shepherdswell Station. We conclude by 5pm at Canterbury Cathedral. Pilgrims have the option to stay for the special additional experience of Choral Evensong which has no charge.
By car: Shepherdswell Station postcode CT15 7PD. Return by train is 17 minutes from Canterbury East.
What To Bring
Please bring plenty of water, a packed lunch and energy-boosting snacks if you wish. Ten miles cis quite a distance and there are very few places to purchase anything to eat or drink on the pilgrim way between Shepherdswell and Canterbury. You may also wish to bring some food to share in the ancient spirit of pilgrimage.
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