Well,done! Great video, great photography! It's nearly 50 years since me and my mate, Rex, walked the Pilgrims Way, 8 days, wild camping, surviving in pubs where we were always welcome. A lifetime experience. Thanks for the memories.
Thankyou my little angel for taking me with you. I'm eaten up with Mr. Arthur Itis n can't walk far, though, i try n keep putting one foot in front of the other every day with my little furry pal Bunter. Loving every beautiful minute of our walks together. More please. Big hug from an Old English Great Grandmotherxxxxxxxxxx
Greetings from Melbourne. It's good to see another solo pilgrim. I love the English countryside and get a lot of pleasure from seeing it on RU-vid. I'm planning to walk the pilgrimage route from Bury St Edmunds to Walsingham next May.
This is amazingly inspirational and a calling of mine. This weekend just passed me and my brother went with our dad to Winchester as he was taking us to see the barracks there where he did his training for the Royal Green Jackets. As part of our trip we visited and took tours of the Cathedral where they spoke of pilgrimages but I still wasn't aware of those pilgrimages and the Pilgrims Way. It was this weekend, having walked with the children in our local village (Wrotham) did I notice there is a road called Pilgrims Way that tracks off into the distance and here I am learning of it's connecting! All this discovery in a week feels like a calling and I have this extreme urge now to do the walk in its entirety. Amazing video and thank you for inspiring me.
For the most part of my life I’ve lived in this area and it takes a well produced video such as this to be reminded that you’re surrounded by one of the most beautiful places on earth.
Thanks a lot!! I really enjoyed this walk. The history of the trail and the experience that comes from pilgrimage really makes it worthwhile. Plus it’s near home for me so it was cool to explore these local places. There are definitely prettier long distance trails in the UK though. We’re blessed with so much beauty in this country aren’t we! If you have the time then definitely recommend giving the trail a try some time! 😊
@@wstravels when we were watching tour video I actually said to my wife how lucky we are that we live in such a beautiful country with so much history and amazing scenery. Just a shame people dont get out to see it. I am going to read about the history behind the pilgrimage walk you done and get planning 🙂
Thanks so much Rachel! Really made my Sunday with this comment. I hope you have a blessed day and thanks again for watching the video and sharing your joy with me today 😊🙌🏻
Thanks a lot Josh - so cool that you stumbled across my page. Looking forward to watching some of your content when I get a quiet evening. Best, Will 👍🏻
"...there's no discouragement, shall make him once relent, his first avowed intent, to be a pilgrim..." A fabulous video, thank you for sharing your pilgrimage with us.
Absolutely brilliant film 👍 Stunning film, especially the drone shots 👍 The Pilgrims' Way is a walk I hope to one day complete. Although I am visiting Canterbury in about two weeks' time, it will be by train (from Tunbridge Wells, Kent). Nicely put together, really brings the story alive. My only suggestion would be the addition of a few captions so we know the location of each church, village, resting spot, etc.
Thanks Francis - very kind words and really glad you enjoyed it. I’ll definitely bear in mind your point around location tags for future hiking videos :) - new one of the St Michael’s Way micro-pilgrimage down in Cornwall coming soon
In Japan, there is a 1,200 km pilgrimage route on the island of Shikoku with 88 temples. Pilgrims can don a traditional white costume with a straw hat (but no straw sandals, thank you) and carry a staff. A similar experience with less investment in time and money are the old Edo era roads, two of which, the Nakasendo and Tokaido connect Edo (Tokyo) to the former capital Kyoto to the south. The Tokaido follows the coast, while the Nakasendo is the central mountain path. The most popular segment of the Nakasendo is between Magome and Tsumago villages which have been well preserved. While most of the original roads have been paved over and incorporated, but some parts maintain the original stone pavement. Stones have worn away where travelers have stepped over the centuries. Nothing but trees, the wind, light filtering through the branches, the sound of flowing water, and birds. Walking ancient pilgrimage routes are a meditative experience; a respite from the noise, distraction, and disillusionment of the modern world. You don't have to go far to do them, and it's not a marathon so you aren't compelled to complete the entire circuit. Just walk...and don't forget to breathe!
Hello there! So cool that you highlighted the Shikoku 88 temple pilgrimage, it is something that I have been looking at for about the last 6-9 months and am REALLY keen to do. I think it would be an amazing walk and could definitely see myself doing it in the near future. Thank you for sharing your insight on the trail 🙌🏻. I’m taking this as a sign that 2022 is the year I must plan my trip!!
Wonderful filming and thanks for sharing such great work. You did a lot of extra miles I’m sure with all the fly by shots and walking to and from accommodation and Guildford Cathedral etc Wow! Well done 👍 I ran the NDW 100 last August but you’ve inspired me to go back again ! 😂
Thanks Michael. Definitely clocked up a few extra miles :). I’ve heard great things about the NDW 100, that’s one on my to-do list. Hope you get back to the downs soon! Enjoy
This is such a beautiful video. Would have loved to know more about your inspiration for choosing this route, or how it felt walking such an historic route. But still, even just watching this with the music and the scenery captures something really poetic. So all credit to you - both for the walk, and for putting such a brilliant film together. (P.s I'm a writer/photographer too - and am always looking for people to share about travels or pilgrimages on my newsletter "Photo Meditations". So definitely drop me a line if you and your partner might be interested in a short interview, or sharing any other walks you may have planned.)
Thanks so much for watching and I agree I should have shared more context and history of the route as it’s really great and I really enjoyed it because of its historical importance as a pilgrimage route.
@@wstravels Thanks Will. I have. Here's a short video I made in celebration if you have a couple of minutes. Stay well. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-7Xs7lUcghh4.html
Loved the video. I finished London to Canterbury through Rochester and on to Dover in 2021. If you're interested in talking about the pilgrimage and your motivation, please feel free to reach out for the podcast.
Thanks very much! My partner and I have also walked the Camino (no video though) and loved that. Will definitely consider reaching out for the podcast in future :)
Brilliant! I'm about to do this on my own. Could you tell me what you did for meals, please? I'm on a shoestring budget. What would you say you spent on daily meals? Will there be supermarkets on the way where I can scavenge cheap meals (find sandwich ingredients and fruits)? 😅
Hi Diana! Thanks for watching 😊. I hiked it on my own and loved it. Really peaceful experience. Very much an opportunity to reconnect with yourself. I ate most nights in local restaurants and would say I spent ~£15 a night on dinner. Most of the towns I stopped in had pubs with standard pub food on offer. A few of the towns have a more eclectic selection of restaurants. Giggling Squid (Thai) is worth trying in Farnham or Guildford. There are definitely a good number of places along the way to pick up groceries. Perhaps only a couple of the days you will find the distance from your overnight to a shop too far. Unfortunately I couldn’t find many options along the route to camp or stay in a hostel. That’s always a good way to keep costs down. But there are some cheap Airbnb options so I hope you can make the experience work in the budget you have available. I hope you have a brilliant hike. Best wishes, Will
You’ll absolutely love it. The North Downs really are beautiful countryside and there are some fun towns to explore along the way. Regarding the chair, it’s blooming brilliant for backpacking. Packs up very small and makes sitting anywhere more comfortable. Only downside is the ground does need to be dry to get best use of it. Unfortunately I can’t find anywhere still selling that exact chair. My grandad bought it in the 90s and then passed it down to me. If you Google “camping chairs with no legs” then there are a few places selling modern day versions. I’d recommend one that can be rolled to fit in a backpack vs. any with cushioning that prevents it from being rolled. Enjoy any upcoming hikes :)
Thanks a lot!! The hike was a really great experience and just glad I could find a way to film it and share it 😀. Pilgrimage is such a beautiful way to see the world 🙏
Hi Andy - that’s exactly the route I followed. After an overnight stop in Cuxton I walked up and over the M2 bridge. As it was the first thing I did that day I could thankfully forget about all those cars quite quickly. If I had more time / wasn’t from the Kent area, I would definitely have walked into Rochester and avoided the M2 bridge. It’s a lovely town and both the cathedral and castle are beautiful! Happy Hiking, Will
Thanks :) I really enjoyed the route and I'm sure you will too! I split my bookings between AirBnB & Booking.com and they varied from £40 to £100. I've included the places I stayed along the way and the prices I paid. The ones with a * next to them are really great and I'd highly recommend staying at them along the way :) Chawton - £65 * www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/2733493 Farnham - £45 * www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/31559091 Guildford - £42 www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/44898877 Betchworth - £70 www.booking.com/hotel/gb/red-lion-amp-cellar-room-b-amp-b.en-gb.html Caterham - £65 * www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/26943058 Wrotham - £100 www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/13810827 Cuxton - £70 * www.booking.com/hotel/gb/north-downs-barn.en-gb.html Detling - £45 www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/26646372 Wye - £40 www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/39028856 Best of luck with your planning and I hope you have a really great time when you do the walk. If you need any other advice then just let me know! Best, Will
I also want to add to anyone looking, the pilgrimage trust is planning to opening a few Hostels for cheap accommodations for pilgrims. Currently only working on the Old Way. But more to come.
Great video. I'm doing it in stages. Just got back from my Wrotham to Charing stretch. Less than 20 miles to go - though I also still have to do Winchester to Guildford. Will check out the airm B&B's next time - camping is not easy. What's next for you? Have you done the Camino?
Thanks David! That’s great, you’ve not got far left to go now. The Winchester to Guildford stretch is really pretty and Winchester cathedral is great to look inside. I had a guide walk me around and show me St Swithun’s shrine. Definitely worth an hour of your time. Good for you for camping out. I’d like to do more of that but I agree it makes things a whole lot more challenging. This winter I will stick to local hikes but hoping to do a few 30-50 mile loops over a weekend here and there. One I’m particularly looking forward to is a walk from the source of the River Stour to the sea (around 50 miles or so). Aside from that, I have desires to thru hike the Appalachian Trail and walk the coast of the UK. I’ve planned large parts of both those hikes but yet to find the time to get out and tackle them. Yes!! I hiked around 1/3 of the Camino back in 2018. I must go back and finish it soon! I loved every minute of it and met some amazing people (including my now partner). Have you hiked it before??
I was thinking of doing this hike in a couple years. How safe would it be for a woman on her own to do the hike? Are there any areas I should avoid? Thanks.
That’s great to hear! It’s a really lovely hike which I am sure you’ll enjoy. I would say that the majority of Southern England is generally very safe. Whilst on the trail you’ll mainly encounter day hikers and locals in the various towns & villages you pass. Off trail, the majority of overnight spots are small local towns. Everyone I met on and around the trail was very friendly. Let me know if you have any other questions :)
Hi there! Thanks for watching. It took me just over 7 hours to walk to Chawton at an average speed of 3.1mph. I would say around 6 hours at my speed to go from Winchester to Four Marks. Hope that is helpful
I wish I had as well! When I make my next hiking video I’m definitely going to include either some talking to the camera or a narration overlay. Thanks for watching! Best, Will 🙂