Pilgrims have been following the county’s ancient walkways a since the medieval times

A modern-day pilgrimage festival is happening in the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty this September.

The festival is officially taking place this autumn from the 21st - 25th September to celebrate Kent’s rich pilgrim heritage. Pilgrims have been following the county’s ancient walkways and following in the footsteps of the millions gone before them since the medieval times.

A pilgrimage is, in its modern form, open for all to enjoy and experience. It can be transformational and invites locals and visitors to experience new people and places.

The simplicity of pilgrimage is the perfect antidote to our fast-paced, modern living, and making a connection with the natural environment, your surroundings and others is encouraged. Coordinated by the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Trust and the Confraternity of Pilgrims to Rome, in partnership with match funders and stakeholders, The Kent Pilgrims' Festival this September is celebrating the downs area of the county as a global destination for a modern interpretation of pilgrimage through a series of walks, talks, exhibitions, demonstrations, workshops, and events.

The festival hopes to reach out to audiences and inspire those who never thought of pilgrimage as something for them to enjoy. In addition to the abundance of walks, there are a host of accessible events to suit all ages and interests. From performances of poems and music evoking the experience of walking from Canterbury on the way towards Rome, to three-day workshops on saint icon painting culminating in an exhibition, and the release of Red Billed Choughs, there really is something for everyone.

Carlo Laurenzi OBE, Chair of the Board of Trustees at the Confraternity of Pilgrims to Rome, commented: “This modern-day pilgrimage festival encourages everyone to join, whether you’re seeking natural beauty and places of glorious creation, looking for real connections – with yourself and something greater, or improving your health and wellbeing while reconnecting with your faith. All you need is a love of the great outdoors.”

“Pilgrimage doesn’t have to be religious at all. Improving wellbeing, recovering from a loss, or even raising money for charity are just some of the reasons people take part. Pilgrimage welcomes people of all faiths or no faiths. It’s open to all. Bring your own beliefs.”

The seven pilgrim routes surrounding the festival include The North Downs Way, The Via Francigena, The Way of St. Augustine, The Augustine Camino, The Old Way, The Pilgrims Way and The Royal Saxon Way. The routes range from short and easy to follow walks for beginners to much longer UK to Europe ventures for those seeking a greater challenge.

Event Highlights

The full events calendar will encompass e-bike tours of Pilgrim routes, pop-up storytelling, outdoor medieval cooking, North Downs Ambassador led walks, family-friendly trails and even a chance to meet medieval pilgrims!

Tuesday 20th – Saturday 24th September

Moving event in churches from Canterbury to Dover: O Roma Nobilis – A Pilgrim’s Progress

Evening performance of original poems and music evoking the experience of walking from Canterbury on the way towards Rome along the Via Francigena.

Thurs 22nd September – All Day

Women only pilgrimage – Faye Smith

Shepherdswell to Womenswold (6 miles of the Via Francigena route)

Share the healing and empowering experience of walking with other women with a modern-day pilgrimage for women of any or no faith in the beautiful and historic county of Kent.

Friday 23rd September - All Day

History Hike from Wye to Chilham with Ildi Pelikan

Discover the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and follow medieval pilgrims’ footsteps who walked to Canterbury to the Shrine of Thomas Becket. The walk will lead through ancient woodland, rugged chalk lands and ragstone villages.

Friday 23rd September - PM

Make a pilgrim tile – Maison Dieu, Dover

Work with Karen Slater (Kate the Tiler) to create your own medieval pilgrim tile. The original tile dates from about 1400 and has only been discovered at Canterbury Cathedral and two parish churches in East Kent. The price of the workshop includes all materials, firing and glazing.

Friday 23rd – Saturday 24th September – two-day event

Pilgrimage of the Chough

A two-day pilgrimage from Dover to Canterbury exploring transformation through nature. With Dawn Champion – British Pilgrim’s Trust.

Wildwood (animal park) are releasing some Chough birds in Dover during July, for more information on Chough’s and connections with Kent, visit: https://wildwoodtrust.org/

Saturday 24th & Sunday 25th September – Dover & Canterbury

Practical Pilgrim Talks, St Mary’s Church, Dover

A line-up of speakers with knowledge to share with people considering taking on a pilgrimage.
Family friendly Pilgrim trail around Dover
Big Urban fete of music and food with pilgrim’s quarter

Various locations in Canterbury

Food & Drink Festival with Pilgrim’s Festival special ale (St Dane John Gardens)
Pilgrim brewery tours at The Foundry Brew Pub, Stour Street.
Franciscan Gardens rest, restore and revive area for pilgrim festival goers, will include seating, food and exploration of medieval medicinal herbs.

For the full program of events visit www.kentdowns.org.uk/kent-pilgrims-festival/