Pilgrimage social walk from YHA Canterbury

Friday 3rd October 2025

Distance: 8.5 miles (13.6 km)

Duration: 7 hours

Led by: British Pilgrimage Trust

Discovery and connection

Tread in the footsteps of thousands of pilgrims before finishing in the iconic city itself. Our journey will include the ancient city walls, Norman castle and watermeadows, following the quiet flow of the river Stour. Turning uphill, we join the Pilgrims Way with open fields, quiet woods, and Bigbury Camp hillfort. From here we will follow Henry II’s own pilgrimage to drink from the holy well of St Thomas, restored by the Black Prince, before pausing at St Dunstan's, where Thomas More’s head is buried. Entering the Roman city through the Westgate, we'll pass through the hustle and bustle, past Eastbridge Pilgrims Hospital, and conclude the pilgrimage at the precincts of Canterbury Cathedral, after which we return to the YHA for a free cuppa and cake.

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; opportunities for silence and contemplation; rediscovering your place in the British pilgrimage tradition; natural beauty and the wild places between the roads; and wild water drinking and barefoot walking.

Bookings open shortly - please check again soon 

This is in partnership with YHA's Festival of Walking - view other social walks. Need accommodation? Save 20% on selected hostel stays during the festival.