ST MARY’S CHURCH, MERTON
PILGRIMAGE TO CANTERBURY
13 to 17 May 2015
General notes
1
Arrangements will be made for walkers’ luggage to be transported between overnight
stops by volunteers. Details will be notified nearer the time.
2
The group evening meals are open to all, not just those staying in the overnight
accommodation, subject to giving advance notice to Simon (Wednesday) or Patrick
(Thursday and Friday). The Saturday evening dinner should be booked using the
booking form in the pilgrimage leaflet.
3
While as far as practicable the pilgrimage route follow tracks and footpaths, on each
day there is some road walking, mainly on quiet country lanes, but with some short
stretches on busier roads where particular care will be needed.
4
Further details of suggested short walks can be provided on request to Simon.
5
Those travelling by train should bear in mind that while services from St Pancras are
faster, they are considerably more expensive than those from Victoria.
6
Links to detailed route maps will be available in due course on the St Mary’s website.
Planning team
Roger Birtles
Patrick Hamilton
John Hayward
Simon Hillson
07836 595 275
07939 260 405
07958 959 591
07970 165 907
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
DAY ONE – WEDNESDAY 13 MAY - OTFORD TO AYLESFORD PRIORY
Morning prayer
0915 - St Bartholomew’s Church, Otford. Access available from 0830.
Walk leader
Roger.
Start point
St Bartholomew’s Church, Otford.
Village car park, very close, is a large pay car park. If anyone
travelling by car has spare seats, please consider offering them to
others.
Direct trains from Victoria (e.g. d 0752 – a 0830; d 0822 - a 0858).
Those wishing to travel to Otford together by train as a group, please
contact Simon.
Start time
0940.
Total distance for 15.9 miles.
day
Lunch arrangements
c.1200 – Wrotham cricket pitch. Bring packed lunch.
End point
Aylesford Priory.
Toilets on route
Otford Church at beginning. Kemsing. Wrotham (near lunch stop).
Refreshments/shops Wrotham.
Short walks
(1) Otford to Wrotham.
(2) Circular walk from Wrotham following the pilgrimage route and
then returning via Trottiscliffe (about 2 hours 20 minutes).
Evening meal
1900 – Group meal at Aylesford Priory. Either light supper or full
dinner available (both set menus). Participants will be asked to book
and state preferences separately.
Overnight
accommodation
Aylesford Priory.
Evening prayer
1830 – Community evening office in the priory chapel.
Public
links
transport To start: See above.
To Wrotham: Nearest station is Borough Green. Services from
Victoria about every half hour (c.45 minutes). Station is c.1.2 miles
along a footpath from Wrotham. Taxis available from station (01732
882 020).
To end: Service to Aylesford approx every half hour from St Pancras
(usually one change); journey time c. 1 hour. Aylesford station is
about one mile on foot from the priory.
Other comments
Terrain generally flat, with no significant hills. Walking mainly on well
made tracks, with some country lanes. The post-lunch section is
probably the more attractive walking.
Aylesford Priory is also known and signposted as The Friars.
DAY TWO – THURSDAY 14 MAY (ASCENSION DAY) - AYLESFORD PRIORY TO HARRIETSHAM
Breakfast
Aylesford Priory.
Eucharist
1200 - Ascension Day Eucharist at St Martin of Tours Church, Detling.
Access from 1145.
Walk leader
Simon.
Start point
Aylesford Priory car park.
Start time
0930.
Total distance for 11.3 miles.
day
Lunch arrangements
St Mary’s community picnic provided in Detling after Eucharist.
Money donations requested on the day to cover costs.
Toilets on route
Detling church. Otherwise, none, except at pubs on the way at
Thurnham and Hollingbourne.
Refreshments/shops None.
End point
The Roebuck, Harrietsham.
Short walks
Plenty of possibilities for short circular or linear walks – e.g. from
Detling.
Evening meal
Group supper at Dog & Bear, Lenham. Arrangements will be made to
transport those pilgrims staying in Harrietsham to the Dog and Bear
and back after supper.
Overnight
accommodation
The Roebuck, Harrietsham and the Dog & Bear, Lenham. Patrick will
notify those who have booked accommodation where they will be
staying.
Public
links
transport To start: Service to Aylesford approx every half hour from St Pancras
(usually one change); journey time c. 1 hour.
To Detling: The nearest station is Bearsted, a couple of miles walk
from Detling along footpaths. Trains run from Victoria about every
half hour; journey time c.70 minutes.
To end: Direct service to Harrietsham approx every half hour from
Victoria; journey time c.75 minutes.
Other comments
Terrain generally flat, with no significant hills. Walking mainly on well
made tracks and country lanes.
DAY THREE – FRIDAY 15 MAY - HARRIETSHAM TO WYE
Breakfast
The Roebuck Inn, Harrietsham/Dog & Bear, Lenham.
Midday prayers
1200 - Charing Church.
Walk leader
Patrick.
Start point
The Roebuck Inn, Harrietsham. Those staying in Lenham can join the
walk at grid reference 900529 at 1030.
Start time
0930.
Total distance for 14.5 miles.
day
Lunch arrangements
Packed lunch (to be bought in local shops) to be eaten outside
Charing Church after midday prayers.
Toilets on route
Charing.
Refreshments/shops Convenience store and tea shop at Charing.
End point
Wye.
Short walks
(1) Harrietsham to Lenham (3.7 miles).
(2) Harrietsham circular walk (2.5 miles).
(3) Circular walk from Charing (c. 4 miles).
(4) Wye Crown circular walk (5.6 miles; some steep gradients).
Evening meal
Group supper at Tickled Trout, Wye.
Overnight
accommodation
Various B&Bs in Wye – Patrick will circulate a schedule separately.
Public
links
transport To start: Direct service to Harrietsham approx every half hour from
Victoria; journey time c.75 minutes.
To Charing: Regular trains from Victoria (journey time c.80 minutes)
or (faster) from St Pancras.
To end: Direct service between Wye and Victoria or Charing Cross
approx. every half hour; journey time c.90 minutes. Also regular
shorter journey (c.60 minutes) changing at Ashford International.
Other comments
Fairly flat with not many hills. Mainly on field paths, farm tracks,
bridleways and quiet lanes.
DAY FOUR – SATURDAY 16 MAY - WYE TO CANTERBURY
Breakfast
At B&B in Wye.
Morning prayer
0930 in Wye Church.
Walk leader
John.
Start point
Wye Church.
Start time
1000.
Total distance for 14.2 miles.
day
Lunch arrangements
c.1300. Packed lunches (can be purchased in Wye) can be eaten in
Chilham Church (access from 1200 until 1400). Also tea room and
two pubs in village.
Details of Children’s Trail available from Chilham Church from noon,
incorporating church and village and making links to pilgrimage and
Canterbury.
‘Messy Church’ for young children – craft, Bible, games and
refreshments 1530 – 1730.
Toilets on route
Chilham Church; pub in Chartham Hatch.
Refreshments/shops The Chapter Arms pub, Chartham Hatch (lunch and drinks available).
Walkers aim to arrive there c. 1515 to link up with those who wish to
join them for the last leg into Canterbury.
End point
Canterbury Cathedral.
Short walks
(1) Chilham to Canterbury c. 7 miles.
(2) Chartham Hatch to Canterbury c. 3.5 miles.
Evening meal
2030 - Group dinner in Mrs Jones’ Kitchen Restaurant, Canterbury
(book using booking form in pilgrimage leaflet).
Overnight
accommodation
Individual arrangements.
Public
links
transport To start: Direct service between Wye and Victoria or Charing Cross
approx. every half hour; journey time c.90 minutes. Also regular
shorter journey (c.60 minutes) changing at Ashford International.
To Chilham: Regular services from Victoria and St Pancras (station c.
0.7 miles from Chilham village).
To end: Fast service from St Pancras (c.70 minutes) or slower from
Victoria (c.90 to 120 minutes).
Other comments
The walk is very scenic, mainly along field paths and tracks and
through orchards. The terrain is slightly undulating, with some
significant climbs in the first half.
Badges required to enter the cathedral close without charge will be
distributed in due course.
1900 - Guided Spiritual Candlelit Tour of Cathedral - free of charge meet at main cathedral south-west entrance - ends 2015.