Women to Womenswold

by Women, For Women Pilgrimage

About the Walk

On our 10-kilometer (six-mile) half-day walk for women of any or no faith, we will make a modern-day pilgrimage along a section of the famous Via Francigena or “Way that comes from France” from Shepherdswell station near the North Downs Pilgrim Way to the picturesque village of Womenswold and back

Dating back to the Middle Ages, The Via Francigena is considered the mother of all European pilgrim routes. From Dover, pilgrims would have crossed the channel and journeyed 1700km (1100 miles) through France and Switzerland, to Rome.

Our journey today is especially for women who have suffered life’s challenges or bereavements. Your loss could be a career, a relationship, your health… you may be a bereaved parent or partner.

Your pilgrim guide Faye has experienced a host of such losses and walked her way to improved mental and physical health alongside others. She creates a safe space to remember, be heard or remain silent, as we enjoy a precious opportunity to reflect in soothing rhythm through the natural beauty of our Kent countryside. With your pilgrim companions, you will learn about nature, history and get a chance to experience some optional pilgrim practices along the way.

Our ‘by women, for women’ pilgrimage may also be an emotional journey to connect deeply with yourself, others and the natural world. Whatever your reason, your guide Faye has discovered the healing power of walking through loss and trauma and looks forward to hearing your story, should you wish to tell it. There is also power in sharing food together, and the women of St Margaret’s Womenswold wish to warmly welcome us in the spirit of pilgrim hospitality with a delicious lunch – a Mount Joy moment indeed!

And why not book our Sunday White Cliffs Coastal Camino, to make a full weekend of wonderful walking?

Walk itinerary

We meet at 10.30am at Shepherdswell Station. Close by is the world-famous Via Francigena, our route for the day where we welcome each other and set our intentions for our restorative, reflective journey.

As we journey, you will walk in the footsteps of the pilgrims of old.

Passing fields and woodland on tracks through beautiful villages mentioned in the Domesday book, we will see churches, holy springs and sacred sites.

At St Margaret’s church at Womenswold we enjoy a simple pilgrim lunch while discovering the hidden details of this beautiful Norman church, the secrets of spiritual songs and grounding practice.

Full in heart and stomach, around 3.00pm we return to Shepherdswell station once again to say our farewells and remember the special moments we have shared. You leave this experience having momentarily been drawn into the life of the pilgrim, equipped with some very special practices to bring you peace and comfort in your everyday life.

Walk Summary

Date: Saturday 12 August

Description: Half-day pilgrimage walk from Shepherdswell to Canterbury for up to 20 women of any and no faith.

Grade: Medium distance and pace, around 2.5 miles per hour- about 2.5 hours of walking plus generous stop for lunch. Fairly flat route throughout.

Price: £30 per person, to include an £8 donation to the church for our pilgrim lunch of vegetarian soup with roll and cake.
Note: we are sadly unable to provide alternative food options. Should you have additional dietary requirements, please bring your own refreshments.

Walk guide: Faye Smith

Deposit: Full payment on booking- at least a week before the walk date to secure lunch.

What’s included:

• Half-day guided walking with your trained pilgrim guide

• Pilgrim lunch at St Margaret’s, Womenswold

• Pilgrim scrip and candle

• Unique experiences, new and ancient ways to experience spiritual places, finding your place in Britain’s pilgrimage tradition.

What to bring: Please bring water and a flask if you wish. There is nowhere to purchase anything to eat or drink- or toilets- on the pilgrim way between Shepherdswell and Womenswold.

Travelling to the route start:

We always recommend the greenest option of public transport where possible.

By train: Shepherdswell Station is on the Dover branch of the Chatham Main Line to London Victoria. The nearest main stations are Canterbury.

Currently, the Southeastern to London Victoria leaves Dover Priory at 10.18am, arriving Shepherdswell station at 10.27am- please check for travel updates before booking. Return from Shepherdswell 14.58pm

We meet at 10.30 pm at Shepherdswell Station. We conclude there before 3pm.

By car: Shepherdswell Station postcode CT15 7PD

Customer review

“I love Faye's walks. They pulled me through some very difficult times of my life – being out in the fresh air, enjoying the beauty of nature, talking through issues or simply relaxing in good company. Faye is very easy to talk to, she is motivating and inspiring, full of empathy and understanding. Our walks were always something to look forward to."

MARIANNA

Why not start your journey today?