Candlelight pilgrimage to Canterbury
Sat 16 Dec 2023 11:30 AM - 5:30 PM
St Mary's Church, Chilham, CT4 8BY
Description
Light your candle lantern and walk with purpose, on this special pilgrimage to Canterbury.
8 Miles, Chilham to Canterbury
"Dawn is an outstanding guide. She is knowledgeable, passionate, an experienced group facilitator. I felt safe, informed, slightly and gladly challenged, and entertained. She kept the group together, connected us all with a simple exercise at the beginning. She’s a BPT treasure!" - Emer
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.
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
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.
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. If you struggle to walk all day, this type of pilgrimage may be an unsuitable activity for you right now. There are always plenty of escape points en route. But we will walk slowly, and start early, giving us time to walk the distance. The last half of the route is accessible by wheelchair or mobility scooter, and the first half may be suitable depending on individual access needs. 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.
If you would like to make a donation in addition to a ticket, click here.
We hope to see you on the path.
Canterbury Cathedral at night
Location
St Mary's Church, Chilham, CT4 8BY