The Great Stour is one of the most ancient ways to Canterbury. Walk beside the river travelled for thousands of years through historic villages on a path brimming with wildlife. 

8 Miles

Walk with BPT's pilgrim, historian and naturalist Dawn Champion. Follow the ancient course of the Great Stour, which has carried thousands to and from the holy city of Canterbury for millennia. Begin 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. From iconic mill to long barrow, lost chapel to whispering reeds, follow the flow of water to the historic parish of Chartham. We'll avoid suburbia, exploring the landscape that inspired artist William Sidney Cooper, emerging in Westgate Gardens. From here we plunge into the thronging city and in the footsteps of thousands of pilgrims, before finishing at the Cathedral for an optional Evensong. 

**We hope to make this route accessible for those with wheelchair or mobility scooters, check back here for updates**

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

- New ways of meeting holy places (bring your own beliefs!)

- Songs, stories and folklore on the path

- Opportunities for silence

- Rediscovering your place in the British pilgrimage tradition

- Natural beauty and the wild places between the roads

- Wild water drinking and barefoot walking

FAQ’s

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

Is this religious? All and no-faiths are equally welcome. We operate a “Bring Your Own Beliefs” policy. We ask that all participating pilgrims tolerate 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, we are carrying out some final checks to see if we can make the whole journey accessible. 

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? The funds raised from this limited space event allow 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.

Photo: geograph.org.uk

Photo: Penny Mayes

Main image: Canterbury Cathedral from the Stour Meadows, Kent, William Sidney Cooper, Canterbury Museums