White Cliffs Coast Camino

One-day Pilgrimage Walk

About the walk

Join our 21st-century pilgrimage to journey along a beautiful part of the Pilgrims’ Way from Folkestone on the East Kent coast to Dover. For hundreds of years, pilgrims of old would have departed the iconic harbour in boats across the channel, bound for St Peter’s in Rome along the ‘Mother of all European Pilgrim Routes’, the 2000 km Via Francigena.

It’s a journey of purpose, an opportunity to reflect and enjoy the soothing rhythm of walking in nature with like-hearted companions, through the beautiful Kent countryside. You will learn about nature, history and get a chance to experience some pilgrim practices along the way.

The Pilgrims' Way is an ancient track between Winchester, with a loop through Dover into Canterbury. It is an historic pilgrimage route to Canterbury Cathedral in Kent, home of the shrine of the martyred archbishop, St Thomas Becket. For much of its length, it is coincident with the St Swithun's or North Downs Way following the natural contours of the higher ground along the spring line away from the bogs and sticky clay. On this section of the iconic White Cliffs, you will also be following the England Coast Path where we shall see sites of historic World War heritage and consider themes of gratitude, loss and sacrifice.

Walk itinerary

On the Day

We depart Folkestone Central station shortly after the London train arrives at 10am. Following welcome and introductions, we make our way a mile through historic Folkestone to our first pilgrim stop, St Peter’s Church in the Diocese of Canterbury under the patronage of St Wilfrid and St Hilda.

We will explore this beautiful mariner’s church set on the hillside near the coast path. It lies close to where King Eadbald originally built a chapel for his daughter in 630 AD, over 150 years before St Augustine is credited with bringing Christianity into Britain and was originally dedicated to St Peter and St Paul.

In 1862, the rapidly growing Victorian town required a new church which, built for the fisherfolk of Folkestone, would be named the church of St Peter whose crossed keys symbol engraved on the doors is also the pilgrim sign of the Via Francigena.

Here at the altar, there will be a quiet moment to set your own private intention for the year ahead with your complimentary candle and pilgrim scrip.

As we rise to the clifftops, you will be able to admire two Napoleonic Martello Towers looking over the lush Warren Country Park nature reserve, which is one of the most important sites in Britain for wildlife, landscape, geology and history.

Folkestone Artworks adorn the exhilarating path clinging to the iconic White Cliffs with what many claim are the finest views in all England and Lonely Planet put in the top three in the world. At Capel-le-Ferne, we pass right through the unmissable Battle of Britain War Memorial, the National Memorial to the “Few”. Here, we take a well-earned break to reflect on the wall of remembrance, and enjoy the museum cafe and facilities.

We continue along the Abbots Cliff path for fantastic views of the Channel. The adjacent sound mirror is a forerunner of radar, intended to provide early warning of incoming enemy aircraft.

Below Abbots Cliff is Samphire Hoe Country Park, a unique park made of chalk marl from the Channel Tunnel excavations.

We continue past many coastal defence structures from previous wars and across King Lear’s Shakespeare Cliff into Dover.

Faye will guide you through Western Heights, the vast defences with spectacular views which were designed to protect Dover from first French then German invasion.

With Dover Castle in sight, we take the path down to the town centre to close our day with an exploration of the ‘Tidy Ruin’ of grade I listed St James’s Church- and the offer of a farewell beverage to celebrate our achievement at the next door hostelry where the channel swimmers mark their own achievements on the name-covered walls of fame.

We return to Dover Priory station, where there are fast trains into London or back into Folkestone if you have come by car.

You may wish to book onto the Saturday Women to Womenswold pilgrimage to make a full weekend of journeys. There is plenty of accommodation to suit all budgets in Canterbury, Folkestone or Dover.

Walk Summary

Date: Sunday 13 August

Description: 1-day pilgrimage walk starting 10am, concluding around 5pm.

Distance: About 10 miles, 15Km

Pace: Moderate but with four tough climbs and steep cliff drops (with guard rails where close to the edge), so good fitness required. Vertigo sufferers should avoid this section and can walk on the adjacent cycle track. Pace around 2.5 miles per hour.

Price: £39.50 per person *Please bring your own lunch and drink.

Refreshments and toilets available at Battle of Britain Memorial and in Dover.

Deposit: Pay on booking, at least 48 hours before event.

What’s included:

• Guided walk

• Pilgrim candle and scrip

• Guided tours of St Peter’s and Dover Museum Pilgrim Exhibition

• Battle of Britain Memorial site

* Please note that access will depend on volunteer availability and our time of arrival

Travelling to the start:

By car: The sat-nav postcode for Folkestone Central station is CT19 5HD. Parking is available nearby.

By train: The nearest main station is Folkestone Central. This is a linear walk where we return from Dover Priory, so for best value, we recommend booking your return ticket to Dover Priory.

Why not start your journey today?