Canterbury Candlelight and Wassail 1-Day Pilgrimage

Candlight reflecting on the flowing water. Warming drink from the Wassail bowl. Songs of joy, peace and blessing. Light your candle lantern and wassail your way to Canterbury.

Whether your flame burns for peace, remembrance, reflection or another personal intention, carry the flickering light along the surfaced riverside path of the Great Stour to the heart of the holy city. Enjoy some wassail traditions including mulled drinks and songs to warm heart and soul. Joining in the song is encouraged, but not compulsory, and all voices are welcome.

This pilgrimage is accessible for wheeled mobility aids, with an additional joining point halfway at Chartham if you prefer a reduced distance.

"Dawn is an outstanding guide. She is knowledgeable, passionate, an experienced group facilitator. I felt safe, informed, slightly and gladly challenged, and entertained. She’s a BPT treasure!" - Emer

"My favourite part was walking through the countryside. The lanterns were lovely too and the Wassail singing was a lovely touch. The arrival at Canterbury was spectacular. It was a lovely day and Dawn is a terrific guide." - Sally

We begin during daylight hours at the fine Domesday church of St Mary's Chilham, with connections to Saints Augustine and and Thomas Becket, before heading to the meandering river valley. With seasonal songs, stories and folklore, we'll follow the flow of water to the historic parish of Chartham. As dusk falls, we'll avoid suburbia, allowing the gentle candlelight to reveal our path. Enjoy the quiet stillness of the winter landscape before we plunge into the thronging city tracing the footsteps of thousands of pilgrims. The journey finishes at the Cathedral. From there, pilgrims may choose to wend their way home, or attend Evensong, a tradition which offers the opportunity for peace and quiet reflection at the end of each day, accompanied by beautiful choral music. Evensong begins at 5.30pm and usually lasts around 40 minutes.

Pilgrimage is a Bring your own Beliefs practice and will include:

• A complimentary candle jar lantern
• New ways of meeting holy places (bring your own beliefs!)
• Songs, stories and folklore on the path
• Opportunities for silence and contemplation
• Rediscovering your place in the British pilgrimage tradition
• Natural beauty and the wild places between the roads
• Wild water drinking and mulled beverage

Timings Please note that we will arrive at Canterbury Cathedral in time for Evensong at 5.30pm where the guided portion of the day ends, pilgrims then have the choice to stay on for Evensong which usually lasts around 40 minutes, or they may depart at that point if they prefer. Timings throughout the day may vary depending on the pace of the group.

Travel Arrangements This is a linear route, with start and end points serviced by both bus and train services. Pilgrims who prefer to arrive by car may wish to return to Chilham by train to collect their vehicles at the end of the day. Chilham station is a 15 minute walk from the start point. There is parking at the bottom of the hill in Taylors Hill car park, or at the station for rail customers.

What to bring Appropriate clothes and footwear; Waterproofs or Umbrella; Picnic Lunch, Water bottle or thermos flask.

Please note the Cathedral services are subject to change and Evensong may be replaced for a different service.

FAQ’s

Who can come? Anyone over 18 (or under 18 with parental guidance, bearing in mind the walking distance).

Is this religious? This is a faith-neutral journey which welcomes all and no-faiths equally. We operate a “Bring Your Own Beliefs” policy. We ask that all participating pilgrims respect one another, whatever their beliefs.

Will I be asked to share my feelings with the group? We like to keep things light and breezy, so there will be no group emotional sharing moments, even though people may be coming for emotional reasons. If you want to share your feelings in personal conversation when walking with others that is up to you, but certainly not compulsory.

Are there fitness or access limitations? Pilgrimage is moderately intense. This journey is on good level paths, with some short stretches along quiet country lane. The second half of the route is fully accessible by wheelchair or mobility scooter, and the first half may be suitable depending on your individual access needs and type of aid. If you are visually impaired, please bare in mind we will be walking in reduced light levels for the latter half of the journey. Contact us to discuss in detail.

Can I bring my dog? Sadly not - we can’t accommodate dogs on our guided pilgrimages. However, if you have a registered assistance dog, they are welcome.

What is my ticket price paying for, in addition to admission? After costs, 10% of funds raised from this limited space are donated to the places visited along the route. The remainder funds the team at British Pilgrimage Trust (a registered charity) to spend more time making it possible for thousands of pilgrims to make pilgrimage themselves by engaging with our ever-increasing range of free resources. For more details about our charitable activities, please check here.

We hope to see you on the path.

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