Tel. +44 (0)1273 600030 (UK)

Pilgrims Way self guided walking tour

COUNTRY:
England
LOCATION:
Kent
DEPARTURES:
This trip can be tailormade at a time to suit you and adapted to your requirements
PRICE:
From £529 (6 days) excluding flights
MORE INFO:
Price is per person (based on two people sharing) and includes breakfast, luggage transfer and all maps and guidebooks for the duration of the walk as well as Tracker support each morning discuss the maps and sites along the trail with you. A guided option is available from £783 per person (based on two people sharing).
LATE AVAIL:
We have late availablity for walking this February, March and April. Please enquire.
VOUCHERS:
Gift vouchers can be used with this holiday
Make enquiry
Pilgrims Way self guided walking tour
photo gallerysee previous photo1of9see next photo

Pilgrims Way self guided walking tour

How this holiday makes a difference

Environment

For the 3 years running we have been awarded Silver accreditation under the Green Tourism Buisness Scheme (GTBS) as a tour operator promoting sustainable tourism in the South east of England. We are a family run operator based in the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). We are committed to operating a Responsible Travel Policy (RTP) that is supportive and in sympathy with the local communities and environment. This is in line with the stated aims on all our holidays which invites its customers to ‘discover hidden Kent, its history and its people’.

In addition we are committed to an on-going reduction of its energy usage inline with the Annual Environmental Energy Plan (AEEP) for the business. We are committed to using recycled products wherever this can be accommodated within the needs of the business and will continue to adhere to its off-road 4x4 policy and continue to publicise the reasons to all customers.

Community

We actively encourage all customers to use public transport to access the Kent Downs (AONB). We advise customers where they can purchase locally produced food and produce along the route of their walk and encourage them to use local services.

We also actively encourage customers to visit local social projects such as the Elham Valley Vineyards, run by the Vale of Elham Trust that provides work opportunities for people with learning disabilities. We also have encouraged people to walk the North Downs Way for the benefit of nationally recognised charities. Since 2002 we have organised charity walks on behalf of the Children’s Society, John Grooms and Christian Aid. These charities have reported that they have raised £42,000 through walks led by us.

Landscape

We combine walking with stories of the landscape. Told both through the local food and architecture as well as through the history. Last year, during the close of season, time was spent researching and writing a book about the Pilgrims’ Way with the intention of producing a comprehensive overview of this important trackway that serves the route for our most popular walking holiday. The project was undertaken using material held at the Centre for Kentish Studies, the Cathedral Archives and University of Kent at Canterbury. The book was published by the History Press in July 2011 and carry’s the brand of the Kent Downs AONB and a forward by the Officer with responsibility for the North Downs Way National Trail. The intention is that both local people and visitors to Kent will benefit from bringing most of the historical information relating to this ancient trackway together into one accessible volume.

Undoubtedly such opportunities as those above exist essentially because of our co-operative links within the local community. As such research funded through the Heritage Lottery Fund and the Kent Wildlife Trust to examine the history of Blean Woods is being undertaken at present and will continue this year during the close of season and hopefully the findings will again enhance the experience of those who come to discover hidden Kent, its people and their history in the years to come.

Make enquiry

Story of the holiday provider

During the children’s summer holidays, I would take them walking on the local National Trails – on the Pilgrim’s Way and North Downs Way and, while we walked and camped in the gardens of local inns, I would share stories with them of the landscape’s history. The children enjoyed it so much that soon other families would join our walks and I soon realised there might be others with whom I could share the experience. Our walking company was born nearly 10 years ago and we now lead groups throughout the year, sharing our love and enthusiasm for both walking and history.

Holiday provider no: 351

Pilgrims Way self guided walking tour

Pilgrims Way self guided walking tour

Reviewed 20 May 2010 by Carol R Mehler4 star rating

1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?


Our holiday on the North Downs Trail in late spring was breathtaking. The bluebells, primroses and fields of rape, punctuated with the occasional pheasant and fox, while doing a self-guided hike, made us feel like Adam and Eve alone in Paradise.

2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?


Be prepared to walk pretty seriously all day and have a good sense of direction. We found that following the maps and guide book (with thorough preparation from Derek) was challenging, but very satisfying and added tremendously to the experience.

3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?


We were in some rather small, out-of-the-way places that may not have many "tourists." Our lunches were exclusively local foods, and very tasty. Of course, only walking on trails resulted in very minimal impact.

4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?


There were some 5 star moments. "Reborn" is a bit hyperbolic, but there were some real highs -- surreal moments walkiing through a field of rape in bloom and seeing nothing but yellow, and the woods full of bluebells. We have travelled quite a bit over the decades, and this experience was quite special.

Reviewed 07 Jun 2009 by Ann Jensen5 star rating

1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?


The opportunity to be immersed in rural beauty for four days on the trail, and with so much diversity; forests, hedgerows, open fields, planted fields, wildflowers, vistas, farm animals, and the constant singing of birds. We were blessed with consistently clear, sunny almost 80-degree weather. And the small towns where we stayed overnight were charming and still very rural, but with nice accommodations and pubs. We have never been on a walking holiday of this duration, and it's by far the best form of locomotion. We feel we have absorbed those miles and views of England into ourselves for ever!

2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?


We flew from the US, and added a pre-day in Rochester and a post-day in Canterbury. We enjoyed those days very much, and they helped to set apart the special rural quality of our trail days. Derek is very knowledgeable about the history of the area - listen to his stories and tales, they added a lot to our enjoyment of what we were viewing. He also provides an audio tour of the trail, which we listened to each night in advance of the next days journey. We walked around each town where we stayed and talked with a few of the locals. We visited the local historic churches, wandered through the graveyards, and picked up local literature. It's a great way to get a sense of a place when there for a short time.

3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?


Yes, we stayed in small pubs/B&B's, ate dinners in their restaurants, and Derek created our daily lunches with food bought at local bakeries, cheese makers, and markets. The lunches he provided were delicious and very satisfying, yet light to carry in our packs. We saw no trash and of course left no trash, as we walked on well-worn paths, some centuries old.

4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?


This was a wonderful week for us. Derek did a great job of breaking the 48 miles into manageable parts, instructing us as needed, providing background information, good maps, literature and audio, and booking us into fine and friendly accommodations. We are eager to take another walking holiday, as it is a most refreshing way to step away from our contemporary over-connected lives and savor step-by-step enjoyment of a beautiful part of the world. Thank you!

Reviewed 03 Jul 2007 by Ruth Turner5 star rating

1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?


Walking along the ancient track way from morning til evening and not seeing a soul, just enjoying the wildlife, plant life (loads of wild orchids) and gorgeous scenery.

2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?


Listen to Derek! He tells you everything you need to know.

3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?


Yes, definitely.

4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?


Totally fantastic in the sun and the rain, I’m truly sorry I had to stop walking and come home.

Reviewed 08 Aug 2006 by Maria Tate3 star rating

1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?


Canterbury itself closely followed by walking through cornfield and masses of butterflies.

2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?


Packed lunch supplied may not be to everyone's taste, but there are pubs other places en route to buy replacements.

3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?


Benefit to local people in that purchased drinks & food, minimal impact on environment since using pathways long established, may even be a positive impact by keeping open routes through undergrowth in places.

4. Any other comments?


3 stars, but have already told some stories & recommended it to parent.
Make enquiry

Holiday Reviews

We invite every traveller who books a holiday via us to send in a review. Because we don't run the holidays they're completely independent and unedited... remember to read between the lines though, as two people on the same holiday can have different views!

Read our review policy

Pilgrims Way self guided walking tour
Convert currencies