Description of the walk:
Leaving from the gates of the Canterbury Cathedral on Saturday 6 May, you will pass the UNESCO World Heritage sites of Canterbury Cathedral, St. Augustine’s Abbey and St. Martin’s Church. Just outside of Canterbury, the Kent countryside opens up into apple orchards and farmland as the route of the Via Francigena makes its way down narrow hedge-lined lanes. The first village on the route is Patrixbourne where you will see the 12th century Norman church of St. Mary’s. Crossing fields for several miles, the route passes nearby to the stately Higham Park which has had such notable guest as Mozart and Jane Austen. The last village of the day is the picturesque village of Womenswold boasting another wonderful Norman 12th-century church. The route continues on to the town of Shepherdswell, where the group will verge off to the north to the town of Eythorne. At Eythorne pilgrims will be welcomed by Reverend Sue to the facilities of the Community Hall. The Community Hall offers basic shelter (mats and sleeping bags will be required) and the promise of a warm meal enjoyed pilgrim-style at large tables where experiences of the day can be exchanged. Following the meal will be a showing of the film The Way (2010) with Martin Sheen, which tells the story of one man’s pilgrimage to Santiago and the unlikely friendships he forges along the way.
Sunday, 7 May the group will enjoy breakfast at the Community Hall before setting off onto the Via Francigena with the destination of Dover just 10 miles away. The route begins almost immediately on the Waldershare Park covering 1.5 square miles. The route brings walkers past the impressive 18th-century manor house and the adjoining church of All Saints with its atmospheric cemetery.
After Waldershare the route joins the ancient Roman road from Canterbury to Dover, which is appropriately straight. The Roman road brings the route through the outskirts of Dover along farm tracks and woodland lanes until finally descending into the port town. The day ends at the Dover Marina where pilgrims to Rome would board a boat to continue their journey through France. For this mini-pilgrimage however, Dover is the last stop. The numerous historic sights of Dover are well-worth a visit. The museum with its preserved Bronze-age boat for instance offers free-admission and some wonderful insights into Dover’s dynamic history and heritage.
Schedule:
The current time of departure (to be confirmed) is 10 am on 6 May from the Canterbury Cathedral Gate. We should arrive in Eythorne by 5 pm with stops along the way for lunch and snacks. Departure from Eythorne, 7 May will be at 9 am with estimated arrival in Dover at 1 pm.
