The Pilgrims’ Way
The pilgrim is humble and devout, and human, and charitable, and ready to smile and admire; therefore, he should comprehend the whole of his way, the people in it, and the hills and the clouds, and the habits of the various cities.![]()
– Hilaire Belloc
It seems as if literary influences and walking trails in England go hand in hand, and the Pilgrims’ Way that stretches for nearly 200km between Winchester Cathedral in Hampshire and Canterbury Cathedral in Kent is no exception. As an ancient byway dating back as far as the Stone Age because of its topography that forms a natural causeway, pilgrims have followed this path to Canterbury since the 12th century in order to pay respects to Saint and martyr Thomas Becket. The fomer Archbishop is enshrined at Canterbury Cathedral, where he was murdered in 1170. The route was brought back to the attention of the traveling public in the 20th century by Anglo-French writer and travel essayist, Hilaire Belloc. Indeed, it is sometimes described as Belloc’s Old Road. The original medieval pilgrims and their colourful stories were, of course, fictionalised in Geoffrey Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales.
Our England walking Vacations
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Quirky eco lodges, 1 with Hot Tub, on a Devon nature reserve
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£205 to £810
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US $1649 to US $1949
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ex flights
Kilimanjaro climb, Machame route
Amazing Private Or Group Kilimanjaro Climb: Machame Route
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Peru walking and cultural vacation
Trek the cultural sites and mountain scenery of Peru
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US $2300
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Devon sea kayaking vacation in England
Family & group activity vacation barn house accommodation
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£1400
7 days
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Spanish course & hiking vacation, Picos de Europa, Spain
Spanish classes + stunning hikes in Picos de Europa
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€659
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Great Wall of China walking vacation
Trek along various contrasting sections of the wall
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US $1799
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Montenegro hiking vacations, self guided
Self-guided pleasure walking in the beautiful Bay of Kotor.
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€570 to €690
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US $2850
13 days
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Atacama and Patagonia hiking vacation
Explore Chile on foot Atacama Patagonia Walking Vacation
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Guided hill walking vacations in Torrox, Andalucia.
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£545 to £850
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Tigray trekking tour in Ethiopia
Walk through beautiful landscape as guests of the Villagers
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US $205
4 days
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Devon self catering cottage in England
Cottage with lake view & wood burner on Devon nature reserve
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£205 to £590
per week (sleeps 4)
North Cyprus walking vacation
Varied walks amid rugged scenery and superb archaeology
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US $1049 to US $1349
8 days
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Tuscany tours, walking and wine tasting in Italy
Walking and wine tasting in Tuscany
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US $1749 to US $1879
8 days
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Guided walking vacations in the French Alps
Catered Chalet Based Guided Walking in the Giffre Valley
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£829
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The Carian Trail hiking vacation in Turkey
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£585
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Croatia national parks hiking vacation
Walking vacation in Croatia's beautiful national parks.
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€670
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Japan self guided trekking vacation, Nakasendo Trail
Self-guided walking along Japan’s ancient Nakasendo trail
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US $1005 to US $1820
5 days
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Catalonia self guided walking vacations, Spain
Self-guided walking vacations in Catalonia
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€715 to €799
8 days
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Hiking the Inca trail vacation
An unrivalled combination of history and spectacular scenery
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US $2049 to US $2179
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Las Alpujarras hiking vacation, Spain
Guided walking vacation, Andalucia, with writer Chris Stewart
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€1295
8 days
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Trekking vacation in Cuba
Hiking and exploring the unspoiled national parks of Cuba
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£270 to £580
4 days
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Kerala hiking vacation in India
Walk through beautiful hills and tea plantations
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US $2449 to US $2649
15 days
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The Lycian Way hiking vacation in Turkey
Follow one of Turkey's most spectacular coastal trails
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US $730
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Transylvania winter walking and snowshoeing vacation
Wander through the mountains and forests of wintery Transylvania
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US $1399
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Greece hiking vacation, Kythnos
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The route
The route
The actual route that pilgrims followed between these two magnificent cities has been difficult to pin down over the centuries, but there is a very natural artery that follows a ridge at the top of the North Downs. Starting in Winchester, and taking time to visit its cathedral which is a hive of not only spiritual but also cultural activity, your trip gets off to a fine start by climbing up to its tower, and taking in views of the countryside which beckons.
The Pilgrims’ Way merges with other walking routes, which can make it all a little confusing, but hey, who said religion was straightforward? The ‘good news’ is that it is mostly flat, however, with a few uphill challenges just to keep you on your toes. Between Winchester and Farnham you follow St Swithun’s Way (whose memorial shrine can be at Winchester Cathedral) passing through the Itchen Valley and passing pretty towns of Alresford and Alton, as well as Chawton which was Jane Austen’s home. You then move on to the soothing waterfront trail along the River Wey. If you are walking on the St Swithun’s Way section on 15th July, you may want to remember this well known proverb:
St Swithun's day if thou dost rain
For forty days it will remain
St Swithun's day if thou be fair
For forty days 'twill rain nae mare.![]()
For forty days it will remain
St Swithun's day if thou be fair
For forty days 'twill rain nae mare.
Our top England walking Vacation
Amalfi Coast walking vacation, Italy
Walk in lemon groves and hillside villages
From
US $1649 to US $1949
8 days
ex flights
Small group travel:
2020: 19 Dec
2021: 20 Feb, 6 Mar, 20 Mar, 27 Mar, 10 Apr, 17 Apr, 24 Apr, 1 May, 8 May, 15 May, 22 May, 29 May, 5 Jun, 12 Jun, 19 Jun, 3 Jul, 10 Jul, 17 Jul, 24 Jul, 31 Jul, 7 Aug, 14 Aug, 21 Aug, 28 Aug, 4 Sep, 11 Sep, 18 Sep, 25 Sep, 2 Oct, 9 Oct, 16 Oct, 23 Oct, 30 Oct, 6 Nov, 13 Nov, 20 Nov, 23 Dec, 30 Dec
2022: 12 Feb, 19 Feb, 26 Feb, 5 Mar, 12 Mar, 19 Mar, 26 Mar, 2 Apr, 9 Apr, 16 Apr, 23 Apr, 30 Apr ...
2020: 19 Dec
2021: 20 Feb, 6 Mar, 20 Mar, 27 Mar, 10 Apr, 17 Apr, 24 Apr, 1 May, 8 May, 15 May, 22 May, 29 May, 5 Jun, 12 Jun, 19 Jun, 3 Jul, 10 Jul, 17 Jul, 24 Jul, 31 Jul, 7 Aug, 14 Aug, 21 Aug, 28 Aug, 4 Sep, 11 Sep, 18 Sep, 25 Sep, 2 Oct, 9 Oct, 16 Oct, 23 Oct, 30 Oct, 6 Nov, 13 Nov, 20 Nov, 23 Dec, 30 Dec
2022: 12 Feb, 19 Feb, 26 Feb, 5 Mar, 12 Mar, 19 Mar, 26 Mar, 2 Apr, 9 Apr, 16 Apr, 23 Apr, 30 Apr ...
Travel Team
If you'd like to chat about England walking or need help finding a vacation to suit you we're very happy to help.
From Farnham, the Pilgrims’ Way pretty much follows the North Downs Way to Canterbury as the ancient routes have now become busier thoroughfares. You will walk along yew tree lined paths, over chalk grassland, through expansive meadows, ancient woodland and past babbling brooks, as well as a few churches of course. These include ruins of St Catherine’s Chapel which was an important pilgrim church, dating from the 13th century, near Runfold Wood Nature reserve. Or St Martha’s Church, perched up on a hill at Albery with wonderful views to soothe the soul. More stunning views across the Weald await at Box Hill, one of the summits of the North Downs, as well as part of the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Beauty. Its name comes from the ancient box woodland on one of its slopes, overlooking the River Mole.
If you want to read one book before you head off on your pilgrimage or walking vacation, Make it Derek Bright's The Pilgrims' Way, published by History Press![]()
For travelers who don’t have two weeks to spare to walk the length of the Pilgrims’ Trail, this is one of the most popular sections, which takes six days to complete and covers 72km. Rochester is another historic cathedral city on the River Medway and also famous as the home of Charles Dickens. His famous quote, “No one is useless in this world who lightens the burdens of another” will seem thankfully apt as you hand over your luggage to be transferred from one inn to another and head off on the walking trail.
Still following the North Downs, great spots along the way include the Dirty Habit pub in Hollingbourne, in homage to the many pilgrims who have passed through here. Indeed there is a beautiful sculpture of a pilgrim resting near the pretty village of Lenham just 7km away. Kings Wood is another glorious part of the trail and the largest in Kent, where pilgrims took cover in fear of robbers. They will have found faith again upon exiting the woods, as this is the first time you catch sight of Canterbury Cathedral in the distance, just 11km away, before passing through orchards and nature reserves, and finally into the magnificent historic city itself.
This section of the Pilgrims’ Way is also one that is bursting with food from the Garden of England. As well as getting delicious breakfasts, your accommodations will prepare picnic lunches for you with Kentish cheeses, homemade breads, Kentish chutneys and of course fresh, local fruit in season. All food for the soul.
More about England walking
If you are trying to work out the best time to go on a walking vacation in England, don’t always plump for the proverbial summer months, but remember that England is open all seasons.
Our walking in England vacation guide will encourage you to extend a city break into a country break, push your way up peaks, and seek out long distance trails along beauties like the South West Coast Path.
We've identified some of our favourite spots to help you choose where to go on a walking vacation in England - most are tailor made too, so you can easily break them into stages if preferred.
Our top 10 walks in England will see you wander in the footsteps of pilgrims, discover our ancient Roman heritage and follow canals through some of the country's most spectacular scenery.
Walking the Thames Path is about so much more than just completing a linear trail - this historic national trail stretches for nearly 300km from Central London to the river’s source in Gloucestershire.
Walk the White Cliffs of Dover, one of Britain’s most symbolic and inspirational landscapes, on a six-day route that meanders from Canterbury to Deal through picturesque and historic parts of Kent.
Cumberland Way walking vacations explore a bygone county along one of England’s great long-distance routes.
We have some wonderful advice below from expert vacation providers who have spent years creating very special itineraries for walkers in England, and really know their stuff.
It's not just about closing gates after you - there are various things to consider when it comes to responsible tourism on a walking vacation in England - read some of our thoughts below.
protection
Photo credits: [Page banner: Herry Lawford] [Winchester Cathedral - rooftop: JackPeasePhotography]
[Winchester Cathedral: kevin ryder]
[The River Wey: Gareth Williams]
[Box Hill hike: Jan Kraus]
[Rochester Cathedral: bvi4092]
[Breads, cheeses and chutneys: Théo]
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