Pilgrims Way self guided walking tour, England

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.