Pilgrims Way self guided walking tour, England. Helping Dreamers Do

From

£649

6 Days excluding flights

More info:Price is per person (based on two people sharing) inc' breakfast, luggage transfer, maps and guidebooks for the duration of the walk. Tracker support each morning to discuss the maps and sites along the trail. Guided option from £958 per person.

Tailor made

“Journey along one of England’s most notable trails, the Pilgrims’ Way, on this six-day self-guided walking holiday. We love the personalised support and historic inn accommodation.”

Highlights

Description of Pilgrims Way self guided walking tour, England

Follow one of England’s most historic trails on this self-guided walking holiday along the Pilgrim’s Way. Stretching 45 miles between the historic cities of Rochester and Canterbury, this journey exploring Belloc’s ‘Old Road’ will take you through the beautiful scenery and ancient villages of the North Downs and Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Starting in Rochester and finishing in medieval Canterbury, this 6-day self-guided walking holiday, including arrival and departure days, comprises 4 full days of walking and 5 night’s accommodation, in old inns, hotels and guest houses of historic character.

This is a walk packed full of history and the delights of some of the best local Kentish food along the trail. A journey along which you pass Neolithic long barrows, the ruins of Norman castles and even have time to stop at Leeds’s Castle – home to six Queens of England. On the last day the walk leaves the North Downs Way National Trail and explores Godmersham Park, where Jane Austen kept house for her brother Edward.

This trip is run by a family-run rural business and as such offers a truly personalised service. You see someone each morning to go over maps and make sure you get the most from your walk. Packed lunches are provided when your luggage is collected each morning. Lunches are made from the best local produce – so you can enjoy the delights of locally made cheese and freshly baked granary bread, Kentish chutneys, pickles and the very best of local fruit from the garden of England.

As you wind a way through some of the best countryside that Kent has to offer, the North Downs Way National Trail offers a great means of exploring Southern England and its rich history. The walk is supported by a small library of books about the trail which is transported between the accommodation where you stay each night. The walk is also covered by a book, entitled 'The Pilgrims’ Way – Fact and Fiction of an Ancient Trackway', published by the History Press.

This is the ideal holiday for those who wish to proceed at their own pace and start at a date and time of their own choice.

Hello. If you'd like to chat about this holiday or need help finding one we're very happy to help. Rosy & team.

01273 823 700 rosy@responsibletravel.com

Departure information

This trip can be tailormade at a time to suit you and adapted to your requirements

Vouchers

Accepted

Responsible tourism

Responsible tourism: Pilgrims Way self guided walking tour, England

Environment

Since 2006 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 of all our holidays which inviting 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 recycling, and using recycled products wherever this can be accommodated within the needs of the business and will continue to adhere to off-road 4x4 policy.

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 which provides work opportunities for people with learning disabilities. We 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.

6 Reviews of Pilgrims Way self guided walking tour, England

4 out of 5 stars

SHOW

Reviewed on 09 Oct 2013 by Isabel Clare

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

There were various exciting experiences: Kit's Coty and the view over the Medway, walking hollow ways, the former bishop's palace at Charing, sheep grazing under a laden apple tree, but probably reaching and visiting Canterbury Cathedral.

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

If you're a radio addict, check that there is one in each of the staying-over places or you'll need to take with you.
Be prepared to accept that the different places at which you stay are very different and that each will have things you'll like and things you dont.
It's an area where there are a lot of dog-walkers with their dogs off leads, so it helps if you like dogs and dont mind them being friendly to you.

3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?

I hope it benefited local people since I stayed in various places and ate local produce. Walking the path may help it remain clear and also remind a couple of farmers that there are rights of way on their land.

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

Very very good. Derek was very knowledgeable and helpful. Lunches were delicious.

Reviewed on 23 Jun 2012 by Deborah Rice

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

Walking through Godmersham Park in the footsteps of Jane Austin was the single most memorable aspect for one of our number. Another enjoyed the scenic vistas available every day due to the route of the North Downs Way.

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

Be prepared for long days of walking in all kinds of weather.

3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?

Absolutely.

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

I wanted to add how enjoyable it was to meet Derek Bright and tapping in to his vast knowledge of the local history, culture, and geography. He was very accommodating about our particular food needs and very attentive to our needs in general. We had a great time.

Reviewed on 20 May 2010 by Carol R Mehler

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 on 07 Jun 2009 by Ann Jensen

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 on 03 Jul 2007 by Ruth Turner

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 on 08 Aug 2006 by Maria Tate

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.