Pilgrim’s Experience of Canterbury

This half day tour takes in the fascinating secret locations associated with the pilgrimage to the Shrine of St. Thomas the Martyr before ending the day at the glorious ancient Cathedral. Hidden within the maze of medieval Canterbury discover hospitals, chapels, inns and monasteries that were used by the pilgrims and some that are still in use today. Concealed behind their gates we’ll find peaceful gardens, clear streams filled with fish and even the oldest surviving public toilets in England!

Discover: The hidden-away gems of Canterbury’s medieval past like the Franciscan Gardens, site of the former mission of Greyfriars and still home to the Franciscan Friars today.

Taste: A delicious lunch of Kentish food, including artisanal cheeses, freshly baked bread and cured meats and fish in the evocative surroundings of the former guest house of the Friars.

Create: We will each make a clay pilgrim’s token from the cast of a medieval pilgrim’s badge in the private riverside gardens of the old refectory of the Dominican Friars at Blackfriars.

Encounter: A unique glimpse at life in the almshouses of the brothers and sisters of the city ‘hospitals’, the oldest founded almost 1000 years ago.

Feel: Touch the steps worn away by the feet of thousands of medieval pilgrims in shrine of St. Thomas in Canterbury.

What’s included?

Your host, Paul

I am an artist & guide who loves food and foraging. I have lived and worked in the Canterbury area for 15 years.

For the last three years I have worked with The King’s School Canterbury as the Artist in Residence, creating a tapestry and paintings for the school. I have an MA in art history and am passionate about the history and ancient monuments of the city. I see them as great treasure houses of art comparable to any gallery.

I have also tried my hand as a cook, with my own bistro for 8 years and now I regularly assist in The Wild Kitchen local tours with Lucia Stuart; cooking, foraging and talking to groups about the fabulous food all around us.

My tour/experiences are an exciting new way to discover this historic and beautiful area.