Walk in deliberate silence to Salisbury Cathedral for time in peace and contemplation on this one-day pilgrimage, finishing with optional attendance to the Darkness Into Light special service, full of candlelight, music and seasonal splendour. 

Guided by our local volunteer Abigail, take your mind off wayfinding and simply walk with your own thoughts.  Nestled among the thatched cottages of historic villages discover ancient churches, dwelling to experience the power of group silence.  Immerse yourself in the sounds of nature, and feel the green turf of Old Sarum beneath your boots before a final flourish in Salisbury’s magnificent Cathedral Close.

Walking into the dusk, you'll break your silence in the cloisters of Salisbury Cathedral, at which point pilgrims may choose to attend the Darkness to Light special service. The cathedral is transformed by 1,300 candles as we move from total darkness to light with movement, colour and haunting music, embracing the hope of Advent.

A deeply contemplative approach to the ancient art of pilgrimage.

Timings

Please note that we will arrive at Salisbury Cathedral before the Darkness to Light service at 7pm where the guided portion of the day ends, pilgrims then have the choice to queue for the service, 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

The 201 bus service arrives in Great Durnford in time for our 1.15pm start. Alternatively taxis from Salisbury will take around 15 - 20 minutes. There is some limited on-road parking on Jubilee Hill; if you are driving we recommend parking in Salisbury and taking a transfer to the start. 

Open to All (Bring your own Beliefs)

This is a faith neutral pilgrimage. 

This Pilgrimage will include:

- New ways of meeting old pilgrim places (bring your own beliefs...)

- ancient and holy places of all kinds

- a sensory exploration of place

- deliberate silence 

What to bring

Appropriate clothes and footwear; Waterproofs or Umbrella; Picnic Lunch, Water bottle or thermos flask. If conditions are due to be damp, something to sit/lay on for resting outside. A torch in case of low visibility before reaching Salisbury. 

FAQ’s

Please note there is some brief road walking on quiet country lanes at the start of this pilgrimage.

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

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

Are there fitness limitations? Pilgrimage is moderately intense, the path is rough in places and conditions can be muddy in places in winter. If you struggle to walk all day, this type of pilgrimage may be an unsuitable activity for you right now. Unfortunately this pilgrimage is not suited for mobility-impaired people or those requiring wheelchair access.

Do you offer Concessions? We offer some free or discounted places to those on income-related benefits, for example Universal Credit, PIP, DLA, ADP etc. Please contact us for a discount code. 

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 does my money go? What's this all for? 10% of the funds raised are donated to places visited along the route. The remaining funds support the work of registered charity the British Pilgrimage Trust, which has limited resources, and offers lots of materials for pilgrims to use for free, and facilitates the grass roots growth of pilgrimage in Britain by engaging with local communities. For more details about our charitable activities, please check here.

We hope to see you on the path.

Salisbury Cathedral Advent Service From Darkness to Light photo by BNPS Matt Willcox
Beeches on the western side of Old Sarum's bailey photo by Jim Champion 

Candle trail of the Darkness to Light service photo © Salisbury Cathedral photo by BNPS Matt Willcox