An invitation to join the Let Us Walk Pilgrimage for one or more days

You are invited to join the 'perpetual pilgrims' and walk with them for a day stage either as an individual or as a group from your parish. We hope that many people will want to share the pilgrimage experience including the walking, fellowship, prayer and any liturgies on the day.


Important information, please read: NB Pilgrims walk at their own risk.


To take part you will need to make your own way to the start and finish of the pilgrimage stage. Numbers for each day section will be limited for safety reasons.


NB pilgrims who wish to walk for more than one day and require overnight accommodation should make their own arrangements. Some low cost options are listed for each day. Nearer to the date there may be offers of simple accommodation in parishes on the way.  


To join the Pilgrimage of Hope for one or more days you should:

  • Make sure you are fit enough to walk the distance comfortably and manage any stiles etc. We will identify stages which are more suitable for wheelchairs and buggies.
  • Wear appropriate clothing and footwear for the weather and terrain
  • Bring your own food, drink and first aid kit with you.
  • Please read and follow the Countryside Code, preparation tips from the Long Distance Walkers’ Association and the Ramblers’ Association safety advice. . 
  • Arrange your own transport to the start and end of the route. You should check public transport timetables before setting off to join the pilgrimage stage: we must start to walk at the planned time and we will not be able to wait for anyone who is late.
  • Most importantly take great care when crossing roads and fields with cattle and follow the instructions of the 'perpetual pilgrim' leaders. 
  • We will often be walking across farmland with livestock so the pilgrimage is not suitable for dogs however well trained.
  • You are welcome to join the Pilgrimage for several days, but you must arrange your own accommodation, food and transport.
  • Children aged up to 18 years old are welcome but must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.


We look forward to welcoming you to the Pilgrimage.

Choose the stage(s) and date(s) you would like to join.


NB. REGISTRATION MUST CLOSE ON 22nd SEPTEMBER

REGISTER NOW TO AVOID DISAPPOINTMENT!

If you need to cancel a day pilgrimage please let us know using the form below.

Thank you.

  • Monday 5th October 2026: The Church of St Francis, Maidstone to Aylesford Priory

    Start: The Church of St Francis of Assisi, 126 Week St, Maidstone ME14 1RH at 2pm 

    End: Aylesford Priory, The Friars, Aylesford ME20 7BX at 4.30pm 


    Overview: From St Francis' Catholic Church, Maidstone the route joins the Medway Valley Walk towpath, crossing the river by the lock at Allington, before joining a wooded footpath crossing the railway twice and passing over the M20. The route ends at Aylesford Priory after crossing the river again by an old bridge at Aylesford.


    Distance: 4.2 miles 

    Ascent 89' 

    Duration: 2.5 hours 


    Accommodation options for the night before the stage include: 

    Travelodge Maidstone Central

    Premier Inn Maidstone Town


    Recommended accommodation at the end of the stage: 

    The Friars Aylesford Priory: £65 for B&B in standard room. There are also some basic rooms for £25 ex breakfast (£12.50) 


    NB We should be able to join the Carmelite community for evening and morning prayer. 

    REGISTER HERE

  • Tuesday 6th October 2026: Aylesford Priory to the Church of the Most Holy Trinity, Otford

    Start: Aylesford Priory, The Friars, Aylesford ME20 7BX at 8.45 am 

    End: The Church of the Most Holy Trinity, 92 High St, Otford, Sevenoaks TN14 5PH at 6.15pm


    Overview:  From Aylesford Priory, the route follows the Medway north, crossing it at Peters Village before turning west and joining the North Downs Way / Pilgrims' Way through quiet countryside over gentle hills albeit with several steep ascents then descending into the valley of the Darent at Otford ending at the Church of the Most Holy Trinity, Otford.


    Distance: 18.5 miles 

    Ascent: 1,158' 

    Duration: 9.5 hours 


    Recommended accommodation at the end of the stage: 

    Premier Inn, Sevenoaks (7 mins train from Otford) 


    Another option is the Samuel Palmer Pub (2 miles, B&B) 

    REGISTER HERE

  • Wednesday 7th October 2026: Church of the Holy Trinity, Otford to the Church of the Holy Trinity, Dartford

    Start: The Church of the Most Holy Trinity, 92 High St, Otford, Sevenoaks TN14 5PH at 9am 

    End: The Church of St Vincent, Mallard Close, Dartford, DA1 5HU at 3.30pm 


    Overview: The route starts at the Church of the Most Holy Trinity, Otford, (10 minutes walk from Otford Railway Station) before following the valley of the Darent River north via Darenth through the busy centre of Dartford to end at St Vincent’s Church, Dartford (15 minutes walk from Dartford Railway Station)


    Distance: 12.8 miles 

    Ascent: 177'

    Duration: 6.5 hours


    Recommneded accommodation at the end of the stage: 

    The Royal Victoria and Bull Hotel, Dartford

    Dartford Travelodge


    Other options include: 

    Travelodge Dartford Crossing

    Dartford Holiday Inn Express

    Dartford Premier Inn

    Dartford Hilton

    REGISTER HERE

  • Thursday 8th October 2026: The Church of the Holy Trinity, Dartford to the Church of Our Ladye Star of the Sea, Greenwich

    Start: The Church of St Vincent, Mallard Close, Dartford, DA1 5HU at 8.30am 

    End: The Church of Our Ladye Star of the Sea, 68 Crooms Hill, Greenwich, London SE10 8HG at 6.30pm 


    Overview: From St Vincent’s Church at Dartford, the route follows the Darent river to its confluence with the Thames near Crayford Ness, briefly joining the King Charles III coastal path before visiting the Franciscan church of Our Lady of the Angels at Erith. From there it runs through suburbs to Lesnes Abbey woods, across Plumstead Common, through Woolwich and Charlton to end at Our Ladye Star of the Sea Church, Greenwich.


    Distance: 18.6 miles  

    Ascent: 751 ft 

    Duration: 9 hours 


    Recommended acommodation at the end of the stage: 

    Travelodge London Greenwich High Road 


    Other options include: 

    ibis London Greenwich

    Novotel London Greenwich, 

    REGISTER HERE

  • Friday 9th October 2026: The Church of Our Ladye Star of the Sea, Greenwich to the Metropolitan Cathedral of St George, Southwark

    Start: The Church of Our Ladye Star of the Sea, 68 Crooms Hill, Greenwich, London SE10 8HG at 9.30am 

    End: The Metropolitan Cathedral of St George, Lambeth Rd, London, SE1 7YH at 2.30pm 


    Overview: From Our Ladye Star of the Sea the route visits Greenwich pier before joining the Francigena Britannica to London Bridge and the Franciscan Church of St Patrick, Waterloo. From there it’s a short walk to the Metropolitan Cathedral of St George, Southwark. An easy alternative would be to take the riverboat from Greenwich to London Bridge.


    Distance: 9.2 miles

    Ascent: 23 ft 

    Duration: 5 hours


    Accommodation options at the end of the stage include: 

    YHA London Thameside, 

    St Christopher’s London Bridge (female only)

    REGISTER HERE