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The Pilgrims' Way - Front Cover
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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.

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Quick facts

  • Trail name: The Pilgrims’ Way
  • Location: Southern England, UK (Winchester or London to Canterbury)
  • Total distance: ~138 miles / ~230 km (Winchester route) or ~90 miles / ~145 km (London route)
  • Typical duration: Under a fortnight for the full Winchester route
  • Start: Winchester Cathedral (alternative: Southwark Cathedral, London)
  • Finish: Canterbury Cathedral, Kent
  • Route type: Historic long-distance walking pilgrimage route in stages
  • Stages: 15 stages (Winchester) and 10 stages (London route)
  • Navigation: 1:50 000 OS mapping and GPX files included
  • Terrain: Ancient pathways, public footpaths and country tracks through countryside and woodlands
  • Accommodation: Inns, B&Bs and facilities served along the stages (detailed in guidebook)

Detailed overview

Follow in the footsteps of medieval pilgrims on the Pilgrims’ Way, a 230km (138 mile) historic route from Winchester or London to Canterbury Cathedral in Kent, home of St Thomas Becket’s shrine. This iconic trail winds through rolling chalk downs, ancient woodlands, and pastoral farmland, passing quaint villages, market towns, and historic churches along the way.

With relatively easy walking on ancient pathways, the Pilgrims’ Way can be comfortably completed in under a fortnight and is suitable for walkers of all abilities. The route is presented in 15 manageable stages of 7–22 km (5–14 miles) and can be walked from Winchester Cathedral or Southwark Cathedral in London, with an optional link via Rochester.

Step-by-step, stage-by-stage route descriptions for the Pilgrims’ Way from Winchester in Hampshire (138 miles) or Southwark Cathedral in London (90 miles) to Canterbury, including the optional Rochester link for a flexible pilgrimage itinerary
Each stage includes 1:50,000 OS mapping, distance, estimated walking time, terrain summary, and navigation notes for walking across the North Downs, Weald, and historic English countryside
Detailed accommodation listings for inns, B&Bs, and guesthouses, plus refreshment stops and public transport information for each stage along the Pilgrims’ Way
Insight into the history of the pilgrimage, including St Thomas Becket, medieval churches, ancient pathways, and notable landmarks along the route
GPX files for the Pilgrims’ Way included for easy digital navigation on GPS devices or smartphone apps
Facilities table providing quick reference for each stage of the Pilgrims' Way, helping walkers plan daily sections, access services, and make the most of their journey


Plan your Pilgrims’ Way adventure with confidence and enjoy the rolling downs, historic towns, and centuries of heritage along this unique English pilgrimage route with this comprehensive guidebook.

Where and when to go

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.

Table of contents

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

Which format is best for me?

Printed book

A guidebook with detailed route descriptions, stage breakdowns, accommodation listings, profiles and maps — everything you need on the trail.

ISBN9781852847777
AvailabilityPublished
Published2 February 2017
Reprinted20 August 2024
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.

Updates

  1. Updated

    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.

  2. Updated

    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.

  3. Updated

    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.

  4. Updated

    Godmersham viewpoint

    On page 154 last paragraph) you now cross the field to a gate. The tall posts have lost their yellow colour.

  5. Updated

    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.

  6. Updated

    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.

  7. Updated

    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.

  8. Updated

    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.

Meet the author

Leigh Hatts

Leigh Hatts

View author

Leigh Hatts has been walking the Thames towpath and exploring the river and Docklands since 1981, when he worked on the Thames Walk Feasibility Study - which resulted in the Countryside Commission persuading the government to designate the 180-mile route as a national trail.

In addition to writing three Thames books, Leigh spent a decade as author of the London Transport Walks Book series. He also devised the 20-mile Bournemouth Coast Path, which now links the South West Coast Path to the Solent Way to create a 652-mile coast route from Minehead to Emsworth. In addition to a guide to this route, he has written walking books featuring Dorset's coast and countryside and the New Forest.

Leigh has also worked as a reporter for the walkers' magazine TGO.