History Hike – Wye to Canterbury
Discover the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and follow medieval pilgrims’ footsteps who walked to Canterbury to the Shrine of Thomas Becket. This two-day walk, led by Ildi Pelikan, will take you through ancient woodland, rugged chalk lands and ragstone villages.
- 23 Sep 2022
- 7:45am - 5:30pm
- £58
- Wye
23rd September 2022
People from all faith and beliefs are welcome to join this small group, history hike and become a pilgrim for the weekend. Max 25 people.
One or two day options are available when booking.
DAY 1 : Wye to Chilham
Our pilgrimage starts in Wye in the garden of England with a church and a farm visit . If you don’t bring your own lunch you can buy some local produce. This section of the Pilgrims’ Way will lead us to a church where you can see evidence that this route was actually walked by medieval pilgrims. The little church at Boughton Aluph has a large fireplace in the south porch, where pilgrims would gather before venturing through the wood. There was safety in numbers, at a time when robbery was a real danger. Discover the stories of this historic woodland before we end our walk in Chilham.
If you are booking both day 1 and day 2 walks you can find accommodation at https://www.woolpackhotel.com/ or in Wye or Canterbury.
Distance: 8 miles.
DAY 2: Chilham to Canterbury
The walk starts in Chilham following the Pilgrims’ Way leading to Canterbury where once the shrine of Thomas Becket stood and attracted pilgrims from all over the world. We will be visiting the Church of St. Mary Chilham and will receive a Wayfarer’s dole as we start our day pilgrimage.
It is a fantastic day out and a lovely way to arrive in Canterbury. Along the way you will see hop farms and oast houses and discover the charming English countryside. We will follow the pilgrims’ footsteps and pause at St Dunstan’s Church and Eastridge Hospital. We will stop for lunch-Picnic at No Man’s Orchard. Please bring your packed lunch and water for the day.
Our last stop is Canterbury Cathedral where we have a private chapel booked for us for meditation and/ or prayer.
Please note the access to the private chapel doesn’t include the visit of the Cathedral. If you wish to visit the Cathedral I am happy to pre-arrange the tickets. Please choose the option with tickets to the Cathedral.
The price includes: guided hike and church visits leady by Ildi ,North Downs Way Ambassador and London Blue Badge Tourist Guide and wayfarer’s dole . Should you wish to donate to Churches we visit along the way please bring some cash with you.
Distance: 9 miles, elevation 271 m
What to bring
Hiking boots, packed lunch, snacks and water. Prepare for the weather with waterproof clothing or sunblock.
Where to meet
Day 1 from London at 07.45 at St. Pancras Station in front of Oliver Bonas shop near the escalator to Platform 12 or Wye Station at 09.11
Day 2 . Chilham station at 09.06
Group save train tickets from London are only available if you book both days .
