The Pilgrims' Way
To Canterbury from Winchester and London
The Pilgrims' Way
To Canterbury from Winchester and London
This guidebook describes an ancient pilgrimage route in southern England from Winchester in Hampshire, or Southwark, London to Canterbury, a 138 mile walk through wood and farmland, with views across the Weald. Divided into stages of about 10 miles, with route summary and information on public transport, accommodation and places of interest.A guidebook to walking the Pilgrims’ Way, a 230 km (138 mile) historic pilgrimage route to Canterbury Cathedral in Kent, home of the shrine of the martyred archbishop, St Thomas Becket. With relatively easy walking on ancient pathways, it can be comfortably completed in under a fortnight.
The route is presented in 15 stages ranging between 7 and 22 kms (5-14 miles) and is described from both Winchester in Hampshire (138 miles) and London’s Southwark Cathedral (90 miles), with an optional link to Rochester.
- 1:50,000 OS mapping for each stage
- Detailed information on accommodation, public transport, and refreshments for each stage
- Information on the historical background of the pilgrimage, historical figures, and local points of interest
- GPX files available to download
- Facilities table to help you plan your itinerary
Printed book
A guidebook with detailed route descriptions, stage breakdowns, accommodation listings, profiles and maps - everything you need on the trail.
ISBN
9781852847777
Availability
Published
Published
2 Feb 2017
Reprinted
20 Aug 2024
Edition
First
Pages
208
Size
17.20 x 11.60 x 1.20cm
Weight
240g
eBook
The complete digital edition of the guidebook, with full route descriptions, accommodation listings, profiles and maps, ready to use on any device.
Map key
Route Summary Table
Overview map
Introduction
History of the Way
Renewed interest
Historical figures along the Way
Variations to the Way
Walking the Way
When to walk
Where to stay
Refreshments
Waymarking
Maps
Using this guide
Winchester to Canterbury
Stage 1 Winchester to Alresford
Stage 2 Alresford to Alton
Stage 3 Alton to Farnham
Stage 4 Farnham to Guildford
Stage 5 Guildford to Box Hill
Stage 6 Box Hill to Merstham
Stage 7 Merstham to Oxted
Stage 8 Oxted to Otford
Stage 9 Otford to Wrotham
Stage 10 Wrotham to Halling
Stage 11 Halling to Aylesford
Stage 11a Peters Village to Rochester
Stage 12 Aylesford to Harrietsham
Stage 13 Harrietsham to Boughton Lees
Stage 14 Boughton Lees to Chilham
Stage 15 Chilham to Canterbury
London Route
Stage 1a Southwark to Shooters Hill
Stage 2a Shooters Hill to Dartford
Stage 3a Dartford to Otford
Appendix A Itinerary planner
Appendix B Accommodation
Appendix C Further information
Appendix D Further reading
Seasons
Medieval pilgrims were hardy and often undertook the walk in winter but summer and autumn offer the chance of seeing hops, hillside vineyards, lavender fields and orchards bursting with growth.
Centres
Winchester, Alton, Farnham, Guildford, London, Dartford and Rochester, with plenty of accommodation and easy transport on the two routes.
Difficulty
The first pilgrims always sought the easiest route so while there are unavoidable rises in ground and sometimes steep hills there are also long flat stretches. No special equipment is required beyond a water bottle and sandwiches in case progress is slower than expected. The ancient rutted path can be partly flooded in wet winter months.
Must See
The Pilgrims' Way is often along a shelf on the side rather than the top of the North Downs but still high enough for long views. The downs are broken by valleys marked by chapels, castles and river crossings.
October 2025
New route east of Chevening
Page 102
At present there is a short but unpleasant stretch of main road east of Chevening church. Thanks to the Chevening Estate trustees this can now be avoided by using the original line of the Pilgrims’ Way.
New Route: When following the footpath from Chevening church, stay on the way as it swings left, shortly before the lodge ahead. (Only go ahead and left on road for a short distance to visit Eat ’N’ Mess cafe in a farmyard.)
Follow the path north at the side of Turvin’s farmhouse (right). Where the way turns to a junction bear left to continue north following a hedge (left). Ahead go up a steep slope to join the line of the ancient Pilgrims’ Way. Go right on the original PW to go through a farm gate.
Keep forward with a panoramic view over the hedge (right). At a crosspath still keep forward. The way rises slightly before reaching a squeeze stile. On the far side turn right to go downhill. The path passes the barns of Morants Court Farm (right) to reach the road. Cross with care to the pavement and go left.
August 2025
Alresford’s Whitehill Lane
Page 39
Due to work on a major realignment of the west end of Whitehill Lane there is a diversion that is expected to be in place for around a year.
Temporary Route: On reaching the end of Tichbourne Down road bear left into Sun Lane. Follow this road (pavement on left) north to the railway bridge. Do not cross the bridge but go right to follow a footpath. At the far end go right along Bishops Sutton Road (pavement on left) into Bishop's Sutton.
March 2025
Westwell pub
Page 145 (last two paragraphs)
The Wheel pub has reopened after a long closure. The new opening days are Thur–Sun. Food available Thu–Sat 12–3pm & 5pm–8:30; Sun 12–3.30pm. Children must be 14+. The pilgrim stamp is available from the church.
November 2024
Godmersham viewpoint
On page 154 (last paragraph) you now cross the field to a gate. The tall posts have lost their yellow colour.
June 2023
Author updates
Wrotham Station and village
On page 108 the distance from Borough Green & Wrotham station to Wrotham is 1 mile (1.6km).
Wrotham Recycling centre
On pages 106 and 108 the recycling centre mentioned has closed
Peters Village road name change
On page 118 Hall Road is now called Village Road. The change concerns the road through Peters Village. Hall Road north of the roundabout (the way to Rochester page 122) retains the old name.
June 2023
Ropley church
On pages 41-42 Ropley church has been restored and is open 9-5 with tea and coffee available. The building now has toilets.
December 2021
2021 reprint route updates
777 Reprint 2021 (4.697 MB)
September 2021
Frederick Delius and Thomas Beecham
On page 96 the Oxted information includes mention of Frederick Delius and Thomas Beecham’s graves. These are found at Limsfield church on the east side of Oxted.
November 2017
Route updates
Chartham Hatch, page 159
The Chapter Arms pub has closed.
Harbledown, page 160
The parish church is called 'St Michael & All Angels', not All Saints.
June 2017
On page 74 the second sentence in the last paragraph should read: “Near the top of the hill go left by Southbrooks Farmhouse.”
On page 78 the second sentence in the last paragraph should begin: “At a second bus stop go left…”.
On page 80 remember to start counting the flights of steps as soon as you leave the stepping stones. At the turn off point there is an arrow on the left pointing to the right.
Appendix B Shooters Hill, page 201
Rose Cottage bed & breakfast has closed.
May 2017
Seale, page 62
Totfield Lane should be Totford Lane.
St Martha’s Hill, page 70
After St Martha’s Church look out for purple waymarks which are a good guide as far as the kissing gate opposite the post box at Albury Street (page 71).
Hackhurst Downs, page 75
Once through the kissing gate onto Hackhurst Downs note that the National Trust sign calls the spot 'Blatchford Down'.
Appendix B Wouldham, page 202
Wouldham Court Farm bed & breakfast has closed.
April 2017
Bishop's Sutton, Page 40
At the bottom of the page: note that the road runs downhill followed by a slight incline before going further downhill. The stile on the left is a little further along the road than maybe expected and is seen at the last moment.
Ropley, Page 42
The "unusual corrugated iron gate" has been replaced with a kissing gate.
Woodside Hill hamlet, Page 44
Start of last paragraph: At the bottom of the hill you pass Lower Woodside Farm (left) before the road double bends. After 0.25 miles turn left when the road goes sharp right.
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